Abstract The paper examines the different forces which makes language such a central role in our lives. The paper looks at how we gain our language skills, how we deal with these language skills socially and culturally and how they define us communally and individually. The paper looks, finally, at how we form our perceptions of ourselves in this world.
From the Paper "For many people, the acquisition of language occurs so naturally and happened so long ago, that it is a process that they rarely consider. It might cross one's mind when one has a baby or meets someone with a language disability, yet, these thoughts usually recede in accordance with our busy schedules. However, the acquisition and development of language is so intricate and amazing that it is rather amazing it occurs so naturally overall. Language is responsible for a large scope of our human abilities, and thus it is our task to fully examine our language and communication capacities in regards to our development of language."
Abstract The paper describes the ongoing interest to chimpanzee's language ability, although they are a largely non-verbal species, who communicate by way of gestures. The paper explains that efforts to teach chimpanzees to speak, as they are almost 100 per cent genetically similar to Homo sapiens, are hoped to produce knowledge of human language acquisition, in the beginning and subjects of language development.
From the Paper "Marcel Danesi summarized post-World War II efforts to teach chimpanzees to speak, led by the 1960s research of Allen and Beatrix Gardner of the University of Nevada, that centered on their female subject "Washoe" which commenced when the chimpanzee was almost one year of age. (2004: 42, Gardner:1975) Washoe proved capable of using 132 signs of American Sign Language (ASL) within five years. Moreover, Washoe could combine signs to express sets of syntactic relations. The same was accomplished by four other chimpanzees taught ASL that, along with Washoe, were analyzed by Roger S. Fouts. (1996)"
Abstract The goal of the exercise is to elicit a language autobiography, an account that focuses on the language experiences of someone who has grown up with more than one language. The paper explains that these language experiences may be tied to different speakers, places or both. The person selected was a woman who emigrated from Greece immediately following WWII. The paper also includes a transcription of the interview.
From the Paper "Me: First, let me say how much I appreciate your taking the time for this interview. Yia-Yia: It's my pleasure. When Kali asked me if I'd be interested in speaking with you, I thought it would be a good experience for both of us. Me: It's interesting that you should say so. Why is that? Yia-Yia: We Greeks can be very insular, even when we live in other countries. It's always good to have the opportunity to clear up some misconceptions, especially when most Americans only have information about the Greek culture through church festivals. Me: Believe me, I'm glad to have the opportunity. So, my first question for you is, what languages do you currently speak? Yia-Yia: I speak mostly Greek and English, of course and some French. I learned some French by staying in Rheims with family after the war."
Abstract The paper discusses the largely North American pursuit of debating whether the chimpanzee can be taught to speak. The paper explores the numerous experiments and hypotheses and the contention among social scientists. The paper describes how this work has continued since the 1950s and with earlier behavioral work in the 1930s, yet chimpanzees show little aptitude or interest in speaking with Homo sapiens.
From the Paper "The human enterprise of teaching chimpanzees to communicate in English has continued, as a venture of psychologists, as well as primatologists. In the 1920s and 1930s, Robert Yerkes examined the behaviour of chimpanzees in their African habitat, noticing that they would imitate his actions but not the sounds he made. Before long, the first of what has proven a succession of husband and wife chimpanzee-parents and language teachers materialized as in Kellogg & Kellogg who, in the early 1930s, stated that the vocal apparatus of the chimpanzee had made their teaching efforts impossible."
Abstract This paper discusses language acquisition and the evolution of language, describing models that have been proposed for the evolutionary development of the human language faculty and for the processes involved, with some empirical support for the different models. The paper concludes that the issue remains unresolved as far as deciding on one specific model over all others.
From the Paper "Language acquisition has been much studied as to ways in which speakers learn language in the first place, then learn other languages if they do and add words to their store of knowledge as an ongoing process. Another issue has been the origins of language of any sort, extending back as far in the historical record as possible and then considering how human beings may have first started communicating using a language. Different models have been proposed for the evolutionary development of the human language faculty and for the processes involved, with some empirical support for the different models. The issue remains unresolved as far as deciding on one specific model over all others. One view of the origin of language is discussed by Hewes 1992 and the idea that the first human language was primarily gestural, following the way various primates communicate (1992:65)."
Abstract This paper devises a research project on fluency and familiarity in memory. It is based on an earlier study in which the researchers argue that the feeling of familiarity is caused by a perception of discrepancy instead of on fluency as such, though earlier researchers had postulated fluency as the reason for familiarity. It explains that those earlier researchers had found that subjects tended to have feelings of familiarity when they had less trouble processing information so that they then thought they had experienced the information before.
From the Paper "This research is based on a previous experiment by Whittlesea and Williams (2001) in which the researchers argue that the feeling of familiarity is caused by a perception of discrepancy instead of on fluency as such, though earlier researchers had postulated fluency as the reason for familiarity. Those earlier researchers had found that subjects tended to have feelings of familiarity when they had less trouble processing information so that they then thought they had experienced the information before. In two earlier studies, Whittlesea and Williams had found that the feeling of familiarity was rather based on a discrepancy between how they actually perform and how they expect to perform on a given stimulus in a given context."
Abstract The paper relates that contemporary language often gives us important insights into our society and culture. This is not surprising; the paper explains how after all, our words are shaped by our society and culture and our society and culture in turn shape our words. In fact the two are so integrally related that it is very much a chicken and egg situation; it is difficult to say which comes first.
From the Paper "Language progresses with the development of society, with the result that every time Oxford University Press publishes an update of their authoritative dictionary, they need to add in new words that have been coined due to popular discourse."
Abstract This paper summarizes the rationale behind the investigators' research presented in the article "Bilingual Language Processing" as well as the research outcome and the investigators' conclusions on how bilingual subjects process language. The paper also points out some concerns over the methodology employed and how future studies might be able to avoid these (e.g. concerns over sample size, devices used, etc.).
From the Paper "The investigators in the study "Shared and separate systems in bilingual language processing: Converging evidence from eye tracking and brain imaging" sought to prove that initial parallel processing of language occurs in bilinguals, only to later on default to processing in discrete cortical centers (Marian, Spivey & Hirsch, 2002). This article tackles two distinct concerns regarding language processing in bilinguals: the first being whether one or both languages were [simultaneously] processed and whether discrete cortical regions existed for each language or shared common regions within such areas as the inferior frontal gyrus (ibid.). According to their review of literature, the question of whether parallel processing versus "serial" processing, wherein the lexicon not utilized is shut off in favor of the other, remained unresolved..."
Abstract Normally, natural human languages and mathematics are regarded as being diametrically opposed to one another. Mathematics is formal and is marked by precision; the objects of theory must be carefully defined so that the informal can be formalized. Natural human language on the other hand is flexible, and one term can denote not just multiple meanings but opposing ones as well. This paper explains that, in spite of these differences, human language and mathematics actually share common ground such as the fact that both human language and the language of mathematics actually have a precise formal structure.
Abstract This paper discusses the concept of prosody, pointing out that it is a very difficult concept to define as it interrelates with other corresponding variables and is perceived differently according to the individual. Also, though it is acknowledged as a definite and highly influential part of language, definition and speech perception research on the topic has to date been more limited than one might think. The paper explains that most traditional research has focused on describing the acoustics of prominence and phrasing in restricted speaking styles without revealing knowledge as to how auditory and visual signals actually interact to signal communicative functions in expressive speech.
Abstract There are a number of different interventions available to the speech-language specialist. All interventions have their benefits, but not to all students. Because of the many models available, however, the speech-language specialist should be able to find one that meshes with his or her working style and is beneficial to his or her clients. This speech-language pathology paper discusses the the pull-out intervention model and offers support for its use.
From the Paper "At one time, speech-language specialists in a school setting worked in isolation from the rest of the teaching staff. This isolation was not merely physical; rather, the lesson plan used by the speech-language specialist existed in isolation as well. With legislation that requires integration of all subject programs--including those like speech therapy--this model of speech-language therapy delivery has changed. The number of speech-language specialists in the schools will increase, according to the U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Outlook Handbook, due to the influx of specialists coming under contract to fill these requirements (par. 22). "
A look at how the public school environment frequently impedes the rate at which English as a Second Language learners acquire English syntax and vocabulary.
2,250 words (approx. 9 pages), 2 sources, 2006, $ 89.95
Abstract Helping English as a Second Language (ESL) learners develop syntax and vocabulary acquisition is frequently impeded in public education: pedagogical and language-comprehension theories suggest that there are effective mechanisms for best communicating data to the student in a manner that ensures the student can acquire this data and assimilate it into a functional language structure, but there are challenges to the curriculum structure that preclude the use of effective delivery systems. This paper explores these issues and demonstrates that ESL students are frequently impeded in learning advanced syntax and vocabulary by non-educational motives that impact the classroom environment.
From the Paper "Language acquisition is a complex process regardless of the age or the background of the learner (Fotos, 2004). Acquiring even the most rudimentary of language skills involves exposure to the language in question and repeated engagement in both the written and formal and informal conversational processes."
Abstract Is language an instinct? This paper examines Michael Tomasello article, "Language Is Not an Instinct" in which he disagrees with Chomsky's theory of generative grammar. The paper explains Tomasello's argument that language is not an instinct because it has not been studied scientifically and many of the main points required for something to be an instinct do not apply to language.
From the Paper "Michael Tomasello proves that language is not an instinct and he offers alternate explanations concerning language. Language is not an instinct because it does not have a set of behavior competencies (Tomasello 1995, 132). It does not have specific expressions nor does it have species-typical sets of expression (Tomasello 1995, 133). Language has thousands of different types of expressions depending on the country, gender, ethnicity, race, etc. "
Abstract In this article, the writer points out that students arriving in North America from China tend to speak a dialect of Chinese as their principle language. The writer further notes that English is widely taught as a second language in China, and Chinese students in the United States and Canada have the ability to participate in English as their second language in both formal and informal settings. This paper provides an exploration of these issues.
From the Paper "Fluency in the spoken and written word is the ultimate goal of language acquisition. Students who seek to learn a second language are considered to have achieved fluency when both formal and informal communication can occur within the second language, as well as transmission of information via written processes in the second language. The delivery of successful second language skills to a student is heavily dependent upon multiple factors that influence the overall context in which learning occurs."
Abstract In this article the writer explains that the benefits of reading are many but can be divided into two main categories; reading to function, and reading to grow as a person. The writer defines the act of reading as an act of understanding, interpretation and evaluation. To illustrate the benefits of reading in each category; functional and personal growth, this essay provides an overview of both fiction and non fiction reading of both children and adults.
From the Paper "The act of reading is an act of understanding, interpretation and evaluation. These three skills are necessary for all people almost regardless of age to have in order to make sense of the world."
