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

What is, technological interconnectedness

technological interconnectedness

Territorial morphology, Define the notion of state territorial morphology a...

Define the notion of state territorial morphology and discuss its application to Cambodia, Malaysia and Thailand, respectively as compact, fragmented and protruded states. Guide

Pathophysiology, Just in terms of the hydrostatic and osmotic pressures in ...

Just in terms of the hydrostatic and osmotic pressures in blood vessels, explain what would promote the accumulation of excess fluid in the interstitial space?

Classical civilization and art, Classical Civilization and Art: Classical ...

Classical Civilization and Art: Classical Civilization is the branch of the Humanities comprising the literature, languages history, art, philosophy, archaeology and other cultur

Abrupt behavior, Sammy is a teenager working at the "A&P" in the summer, ne...

Sammy is a teenager working at the "A&P" in the summer, near the beach, as a cashier. Three girls in bathing-suit are ready to check out and go through Sammy's isle at the "A&P" gr

Benefits to customers by credit card, Benefits to Customers Because of ...

Benefits to Customers Because of extreme fight in the credit card manufacturing, credit card providers often present incentives for instance regular flyer points, gift certific

CV, hello i would like to gut help in writing my CV. Can you help me? sar...

hello i would like to gut help in writing my CV. Can you help me? sarah

Apply relevant legislation and guidance - law, Jim and Maureen Stewart live...

Jim and Maureen Stewart live with their two children, Hamish aged 11 and Alexandra aged 13, in a council owned property within an inner London borough. Jim has a long standing diag

Structure of the digestive system, The digestive system is a series of holl...

The digestive system is a series of hollow organs joined in a long, twisting tube from the mouth to the anus. Inside this tube is a lining called the mucosa. In the mouth, stomach,

Environmental responsibility in business, Environmental Responsibility in B...

Environmental Responsibility in Business: In business there are three sources of environmental responsibilities: those needed by law, those demanded by ethics, and those that prot

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