THE POWER OF LANGUAGE

HOW DID HUMANS LEARN TO SPEAK? Our ancestors evolved

over millions of yearsAs early humans evolved,

the brain grew in size and complexity

Anatomical evolution allowed the larynx (voice box), the hyoid bone, and the jaw muscles to produce articulate speech

SPOKEN LANGUAGEPart of the brain that controls speech

production is called Broca’s areaThis part of the brain is more developed in

humans than in other primatesLanguage makes possible cultural memory

(generation to generation)

DEFINITION:LANGUAGE:

a sophisticated communication system that includes vocabulary, or lexicon as well as a set of rules or grammar outlining its proper use

SOME SOCIAL SCIENTISTS SAY THAT WE LEARN LANGUAGE

Ivan Pavlov said that “Classic Conditioning” trains us to learn language

B.F. Skinner said that positive reinforcement teaches children how to speak

LINGUIST NOAM CHOMSKY: UNIVERSAL GRAMMARChomsky says human language uses

universal grammar Learning to speak is better described as

the unfolding of a genetic program in the brain: language is innately acquired

Our brains’ are wired for language

DEFINITION:Universal Grammar:

Noam Chomsky’s theory that all the world’s languages share a similar underlying structure

BODY LANGUAGENon-verbal communication can be as

revealing as speech or written languageFacial expressions and gestures convey

powerful messages(Emoticons are an attempt to include

body language in e-texts)

WHAT MIGHT THESE MEAN?

WHAT MIGHT THESE MEAN?

DEFINITION:BODY LANGUAGE:

the means of communicating information and attitudes in a non-verbal manner

HOW HUMANS COMMUNICATE

COMMUNICATIONPROCESS

LANGUAGENON-VERBAL

COMMUNICATION

Speech

Writing Interaction Distances

Clothing, Make-up,Etc.

Body LanguageTone and Character

of Voice

NEW LANGUAGES AND TECHNOLOGYCurrent trend is toward faster and more

efficient forms of communicationCreate a dictionary of (appropriate)

textual abbreviations and emoticons Do you think that teachers should allow

students to use “MSN” speak or should we stop degrading our language b4 it is 2 late? Why?