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

Explain peters and watermans organizational model, Question: (a) Exami...

Question: (a) Examine the following sub-systems in so far as they enhance our understanding of the educational system: normative, strategic, operational and administrative. Su

Roman history, Roman History: It spans a thousand years and covers not onl...

Roman History: It spans a thousand years and covers not only the Mediterranean region, but Europe to the British is less, northeast to the Danube River, and eastward through Asia

Explain the different types of listening, Question 1 What do you mean by b...

Question 1 What do you mean by barriers of communication? Explain different types of barriers to communication Question 2 Explain the different types of listening Questio

Security model, SECURIT Y MODEL A computer security model is a system ...

SECURIT Y MODEL A computer security model is a system for identifying and enforcing security policies. A security model may be established upon a formal model of access rights

Definition of museology, Definition of Museology : It is the study of museu...

Definition of Museology : It is the study of museums and how they have developed and established in their role as an educational mechanism under social and political pressures.

Styles, Styles : Probably it is more accurate to talk about the artistic mo...

Styles : Probably it is more accurate to talk about the artistic movements of the time, instead of the distinct artists from different countries. These movements include Realism,

#health studies research skills, #i submitted my assignment for research sk...

#i submitted my assignment for research skills in Cardiff university but i didnt pass. what i need is an expert to see the feedback of my assignment and edit it according their req

PSY-613, AIn a minimum of 400 words, create a dialogue with a client using ...

AIn a minimum of 400 words, create a dialogue with a client using open-ended questions to determine their needs. Include how you will probe deeper into the needs of the client and

Crisis intervention , What measures can be enacted to assure emergency room...

What measures can be enacted to assure emergency room patients are in true need of emergency care? Whose duty is it to initiate this reform? Who should be responsible for enforci

Characteristics of classical civilization, Question: What is the Character...

Question: What is the Characteristics of Classical Civilization. Describe the following below given charcateristics Religion and Culture Military Social Class/Group dy

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