Speech and Language, Other Subject

Assignment Help:
Language is a multifaceted and complex cognitive function

Imagine a situation where one is in a foreign country and cannot utter a word in the local tongue. Further, imagine that gesturing in that country would follow a peculiar logic of its own that one could not comprehend. Under such circumstances one quickly comes to realize the importance of being able to communicate with others, through speaking, gesturing, reading, and/or writing. Indeed, the seeming ease at which one normally commands one’s mother tongue is highly misleading. In reality, language is one of the most complex and amazing of human cognitive functions.


Difficulties in developing computer programs that would be able to command language well enough to carry a conversation with a human is one example of the complexity of the task that the brain faces when listening and speaking. Further, out of all species, mankind is the only one capable of the kind of highly sophisticated and abstract form of communication that language represents. To some extent it has been debated whether language is unique to humans (i.e., whether ”speech is special”) and there are language-like communicative calls and gesturing in other animals. The most striking manifestation of language ability in other species have been obtained in studies where sign language was taught to non-human primates (Gardner and Gardner, 1969), however, even the best of these examples fail to compare with the richness of human language.


Human language is a multifaceted skill. In order to communicate effectively, one has to know the meanings of different words (semantic knowledge) and have sufficient command of grammar to organize the words in an appropriate manner to be understood. Further, in order to read and write, one also has to have command of the orthographic (how words are written) and phonological (how words are pronounced) knowledge. With respect to this, there is variability between different languages, with prominent ambiguity in English (as there is no one-to-one correspondence between the written form and pronunciation) and non-ambiguous pronunciation in some other languages such as Italian and Finnish, where there is one-to-one correspondence between the written form and pronunciation.

Related Discussions:- Speech and Language

Looking for essay writing service, Are you looking for essay writing servic...

Are you looking for essay writing service? do you need essay writing help with your university pattern and format? We at www.expertsmind.com offer essay writing service with 100%

Advanages of internet - communication, Advantages Communicatio n : ...

Advantages Communicatio n : The leading target of internet has forever been the communication. And internet has excelled away from the expectations .Still; innovations are

Geography, can you help me with my homework please im in 7th grade and im h...

can you help me with my homework please im in 7th grade and im having a hard time with my homework

History of new media, History of New media: The term has actually been use...

History of New media: The term has actually been used since the 1970s by researchers conducting social, psychological, economic, political and cultural studies of information and

Explain the ageing process, Problem: The existing welfare state has mad...

Problem: The existing welfare state has made provisions for the protection and welfare of the elderly. (a) Show the adequacy of these provisions. (b) What changes would y

Gender roles in society: a global perspective, Gender Roles in Society: A G...

Gender Roles in Society: A Global Perspective: The role of a man and a woman in society is influenced by a variety of factors. These factors vary with the region, religion, cultur

Organizational beheavior, If you were one of the other foremen, what could ...

If you were one of the other foremen, what could you do to make Rajinder’s transition easier?ion..

Nutrionist, Defining and understanding the elements of a group culture is e...

Defining and understanding the elements of a group culture is essential to forging a professional identity either online or in person. These elements are important because they ref

Eps11, oS/kkfudrk fdl izdkj jktuhfr foKku dk dsUnzh; fo’k; gS] o.kZu djsaA

oS/kkfudrk fdl izdkj jktuhfr foKku dk dsUnzh; fo’k; gS] o.kZu djsaA

Write Your Message!

Captcha
Free Assignment Quote

Assured A++ Grade

Get guaranteed satisfaction & time on delivery in every assignment order you paid with us! We ensure premium quality solution document along with free turntin report!

All rights reserved! Copyrights ©2019-2020 ExpertsMind IT Educational Pvt Ltd