Language is common to all humans; we seem to be “hard-wired” for it Language is common to all humans; we seem to be “hard-wired” for it. Many social scientists and philosophers say it’s this ability to use language symbolically that makes us human. Language is made up of socially shared rules that include the following: What words mean (e.g., "star" can refer to a bright object in the night sky or a celebrity) How to make new words (e.g., friend, friendly, unfriendly) How to put words together (e.g., "Peg walked to the new store" rather than "Peg walk store new") What word combinations are best in what situations ("Would you mind moving your foot?" could quickly change to "Get off my foot, please!" if the first request did not produce results)

What is language? A system for communicating with others using signals that are combined according to rules of grammar and convey meaning.   Grammar ---- set of rules specifying how the units of language can be combined to produce meaningful messages. With language---- > we exchange information , coordinate group action and form social bonds.

Language is behavior which utilizes body parts: the vocal apparatus and the auditory system for oral language; the brachial apparatus and the visual system for sign language. . . . Such body parts are controlled by none other than the brain for their functions. A language consists of symbols that convey meaning and rule for combining symbols that are created to form messages. We can define language as a system of communication using sounds or symbols that enables us to express our feelings, thoughts, ideas, and experiences.

Theories of Language Development   Behaviorist: According to Skinner we learn to talk through reinforcement, shaping, etc. As infants vocalize it is reinforced. If they aren’t reinforced—the vocalizations are extinguished. Nativist Theory: the view that language development is best explained as an innate, biological capacity. Chomsky says we have an ability for language, language is best explained as an innate, biological capacity. He says the human brain is equipped with a language acquisition device (LAD) – a collection of process that facilitate language learning. Language naturally emerges as the infant matures as long as the infant receives input to maintain the acquisition process. Genetic Dysphasia: syndrome characterized by inability to learn the grammatical structure of language despite having normal intelligence. Interactionist Theory: parents tailor their verbal interactions with children in ways that simplify the language acquisition process; they speak slowly, enunciate clearly.

Language and the Brain Language tends to be processed in in two areas of brain: Broca’s Area: in left frontal lobe; involved in production; tough to produce speech Wernicke’s Area: in left temporal lobe; involved in language comprehension; produce speech but it is meaningless and tough time comprehending speech   Damage to these areas produces Aphasia: difficulty producing or comprehending language. Linguistic Relativity Hypothesis The proposal that language shapes the nature of thought. Benjamin Whorf proposed this idea—