Universalist Theory of Language

Human cognition shapes language and language is created from a set of universal semantic distinctions
and constructions shape human language
Linguistic Determinism
The idea that language and its structures limit and determine human knowledge or thought, as well as
thought processes such as categorization, memory, and perception
(AKA linguistic relativity)
Nativist (Biological) Theory of Language
Humans have an innate capacity for language
Language Acquisition Device
A theoretical pathway in the brain that allows infants to process and absorb language
Critical Period
Lasts between 2 years of age to puberty; If no language exposure occurs during this time, later training is
largely ineffective
Sensitive Period
Before the onset of puberty; When environmental input has maximal effect on the development of an
ability
Transformationalist Grammar
The use of defined operations called transformations to produce new sentences from existing ones
Learning (Behaviorist) Theory of Language
Language acquisition occurs by operant conditioning
Social Interactionist Theory of Language
Language acquisition is driven by the child’s desire to communicate and behave in a social manner, such
as interaction with caretakers and other children; The interplay between biological and social processes
Phonology
The actual sounds of language
Phonemes
The speech sounds that make up language
Morphology
The structure of words
Morphemes
Building blocks of words
Semantics
The association of meaning with a word
Syntax
How words are put together to form sentences
Pragmatics
The dependence of language on context and preexisting knowledge
Prosody
The rhythm, cadence, and inflection of our voices
Neurological Communication and Motor Disorders
Aphasia, Agraphia, Alexia, Dysarthria
Aphasia
An inability to comprehend and formulate language because of damage to specific brain regions
Broca’s Aphasia
Characterized by partial loss of the ability to produce language (spoken or written), although
comprehension generally remains intact; Also known as expressive or nonfluent aphasia
Wernicke’s Aphasia
Characterized by the inability to understand language in its written or spoken form, despite being able
to using grammar, syntax, rate, and intonation; Also known as receptive or fluent aphasia
Global Aphasia
Characterized by a severe form of nonfluent aphasia that affects both Broca’s and Wernicke’s areas
Anomic Aphasia
Characterized by word retrieval failures and the inability express the words they want to say
Agraphia
Characterized by the inability to communicate through writing, either due to some form of motor
dysfunction or an inability to spell
Alexia
Characterized by trouble with reading despite normal intelligence
Dysarthria
Characterized by poor articulation of phonemes