Language and Cognition

Paper Summary:

The paper defines language and lexicon and looks at the key features of a language. The paper specifically examines the interaction between environment and language and then discusses the four levels of language; sound, meaning, syntax and pragmatics. The paper also looks at the role of language processing in cognitive psychology and concludes that language exists on a biological, linguistic, and cultural level, although the degree to which these factors produce and affect language and meaning remains controversial.

Outline:
Introduction
Defining Language and Lexicon
Evaluating the Key Features of Language
Four Levels of Language Structure and Processing
The Role of Language Processing in Cognitive Psychology

From the Paper:

"Although the term is less familiar than that of a 'language' the notion of a lexicon cannot be separated from the definition of a language. A language may be defined as an arbitrary and dynamic system of expression characterized by an enclosed but permeable vocabulary, grammar, and conceptual system. "Every language has a different vocabulary, but every language provides the grammatical mechanisms for combining its stock of words to express an open-ended range of concepts. A lexicon is defined as a bridge between a language and the knowledge expressed in that language" (Sowa 2005). In short, a lexicon answers the question of how are words and sounds used to transmit concepts in a coherent fashion--through the medium of a lexicon that limits and defines what types of words, sounds, and grammatical structures are acceptable."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Luger, G. F. (1994). Chapter 13: Language representation and processing. In Cognitivescience: The science of intelligent systems. Academic Press, San Diego, CA.Retrieved 22 Sept 2008. http://www.jimdavies.org/summaries/luger1994.html
• Sowa, John F. (2005, Nov 27). "Lexicon." Excerpted from the book Knowledge representation.Retrieved 22 Sept 2008.http://www.jfsowa.com/ontology/lexicon.htm
• Szabo, Zoltan Gendler. (2004). Noam Chomsky. Dictionary of modern American philosophers.1860-1960, In Ernest LePore (ed.) Bristol. Retrieved 22 Sept 2008.http://www.chomsky.info/bios/2004----.htm

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