Presentation is loading. Please wait.

Presentation is loading. Please wait.

What is the nature of language?

Published byToby Clarke Modified over 9 years ago

Similar presentations

Presentation on theme: "What is the nature of language?"— Presentation transcript:

1 What is the nature of language?
Characteristics of human language Language acquisition Empiricism and nativism Language structure Deep and surface structures Language and thought

2 Semanticity Generativity Displacement Arbitrariness Flexibility of symbols Naming

3 The Skinner-Chomsky debates
“Parentese” Larynx Broca’s area and Wernicke’s area Pidgin and Creole

4 The boys hit the ball. Words: Morphemes: Phonemes:
s h t th b l

5 Generative-transformational theory

6 Transformational rules
Meaning Generative rules Deep-structure sentence Transformational rules Surface-structure sentence

7 Transformational rules
Meaning Generative rules Deep-structure sentence Transformational rules Surface-structure sentence

8 Different surface structures can be related to the same deep structure.
and… Different deep structures can be related to the same surface structure.

9 Sentence The boys hit the ball. noun phrase verb phrase article noun

10 Sentence noun phrase verb phrase The ball hit the boys. by was article
auxiliary verb preposition noun phrase article noun The ball hit the boys. by was

Download ppt "What is the nature of language?"

Similar presentations

Module 14 Thought & Language.

Module 14 Thought & Language.
Syntax. Definition: a set of rules that govern how words are combined to form longer strings of meaning meaning like sentences.

Syntax. Definition: a set of rules that govern how words are combined to form longer strings of meaning meaning like sentences.
© 2001 Laura Snodgrass, Ph.D.1 Language Psycholinguistics –study of mental processes and structures that underlie our ability to produce and comprehend.

© 2001 Laura Snodgrass, Ph.D.1 Language Psycholinguistics –study of mental processes and structures that underlie our ability to produce and comprehend.
* Cognition: mental processes involved in acquiring knowledge.

* Cognition: mental processes involved in acquiring knowledge.
English 306A; Harris Everything has meaning. Everything.

English 306A; Harris Everything has meaning. Everything.
English 306A; Harris Language 1. Humans’ accommodations for language 2. Some characteristics of language.

English 306A; Harris Language 1. Humans’ accommodations for language 2. Some characteristics of language.
Module 14 Thought & Language.

Module 14 Thought & Language.
Module 14 Thought & Language. INTRODUCTION Definitions –Cognitive approach method of studying how we process, store, and use information and how this.

Module 14 Thought & Language. INTRODUCTION Definitions –Cognitive approach method of studying how we process, store, and use information and how this.
Chapter 7: Speech & Language. Speech & Comprehension Language:  Its Basic Nature  The Development of Language  Language in Other Species  Evolution,

Chapter 7: Speech & Language. Speech & Comprehension Language:  Its Basic Nature  The Development of Language  Language in Other Species  Evolution,
Cognitive Processes PSY 334 Chapter 11 – Language Structure.

Cognitive Processes PSY 334 Chapter 11 – Language Structure.
Language is very difficult to put into words. -- Voltaire What do we mean by “language”? A system used to convey meaning made up of arbitrary elements.

Language is very difficult to put into words. -- Voltaire What do we mean by “language”? A system used to convey meaning made up of arbitrary elements.
Chapter Nine The Linguistic Approach: Language and Cognitive Science.

Chapter Nine The Linguistic Approach: Language and Cognitive Science.
Examining the Structure of Language Kasschau, Richard A. (2008). Understanding Psychology. New York, New York: McGraw Hill.

Examining the Structure of Language Kasschau, Richard A. (2008). Understanding Psychology. New York, New York: McGraw Hill.
TRANSFORMATIONAL GRAMMAR An introduction. LINGUISTICS Linguistics Traditional Before 1930 Structural 40s -50s Transformational ((Chomsky 1957.

TRANSFORMATIONAL GRAMMAR An introduction. LINGUISTICS Linguistics Traditional Before 1930 Structural 40s -50s Transformational ((Chomsky 1957.
Language Language, our spoken, written, or gestured work, is the way we communicate meaning to ourselves and others. Language transmits culture.

Language Language, our spoken, written, or gestured work, is the way we communicate meaning to ourselves and others. Language transmits culture.
COMMUNICATING WITH OTHERS The Development and Use of Language

COMMUNICATING WITH OTHERS The Development and Use of Language
Language By Chevon Garrard. Language Definition Language is a communication of thoughts and feelings through a system of arbitrary signals such as voice.

Language By Chevon Garrard. Language Definition Language is a communication of thoughts and feelings through a system of arbitrary signals such as voice.
1 st Language Development Stages in first language acquisition.

1 st Language Development Stages in first language acquisition.
Cognition & Language Chapter 7 Part II William G. Huitt Last revised: May 2005.

Cognition & Language Chapter 7 Part II William G. Huitt Last revised: May 2005.
Overview Project Goals –Represent a sentence in a parse tree –Use parses in tree to search another tree containing ontology of project management deliverables.

Overview Project Goals –Represent a sentence in a parse tree –Use parses in tree to search another tree containing ontology of project management deliverables.

Similar presentations

Ads by Google