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The Nature of Language

The Nature of Language. Infinite generativity: a finite set of rules is used to generate an infinite number of meaningful sentences Displacement: we can communicate information about a different time and context

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The Nature of Language

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  1. The Nature of Language • Infinite generativity: a finite set of rules is used to generate an infinite number of meaningful sentences • Displacement: we can communicate information about a different time and context • Despite great variety of languages (>3000) there is striking similarity in form (e.g., phonetic range) and acquisition history (e.g., baby’s words for mother and father)

  2. Explanations for Language • Chaining: Conditioned links between words: “The boy hit the ____.” • However, chaining can also produce: “It goes down here is not large feet are the happy days.” • Finite state grammar: Cannot account for embedded sentences – • “Anyone who says that is lying.” • “York is a better school than Toronto.” • “Anyone who says that York is a better school than Toronto is lying.”

  3. Chomsky’s Transformational Grammar • Phrase structure grammar • Grammatical Rule Operations • Similar to Piagetian operations? • Transformations • Surface and Deep Structure • Ambiguity • Universals of language • How do children “learn” about deep structure?

  4. Is There a Critical Period for Langauge Development? • Lenneberg: if language is not learned prior to puberty (about age 12) it will not be learned at all • Evidence is difficult to obtain…why? • The case of Genie: support for critical period hypothesis?

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