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Overview
The first module of this course will serve as the foundation. We will explore what language is, how its components are broken down and studied, and the use of non-verbal communication. The information from this first module will become the building blocks for us to assess language and the role that it plays in the world.
Course Objectives Addessed
Examine and differentiate the linguistic components of language
Develop an understanding of verbal and non-verbal components that contribute to communication, including their cultural differences
Module 1 Learning Outcomes
Define language and its purpose in society
Identify and summarize the linguistic components of language
Examine how linguistics aids in the understanding of cognitive development
Describe basic non-verbal communication and the ways in which it contributes to the verbal message
Readings
Language Development, Language Disorders, and Learning Disabilities
By Lois Bloom
Required Reading - Lois Bloom Module 1.pdfLanguage, Culture, and Communication:
The Meaning of Messages
By Nancy Bonvillain
Chapter 2 - The Form of the Message
Let's Define Language
Let's Define Language
While the terms are often used interchangeably, "speech" and "language" each have several meanings.
It is important to have a clear understanding of how these terms will be defined in this course as we analyze language in our society.
Speech (noun)
Speech (noun)
the communication or expression of thoughts in spoken words (Merriam-Webster, 2023, def. 1.a)
exchange of spoken words (Merriam-Webster, 2023, def. 1.b)
an individual manner or style of speaking (Merriam-Webster, 2023, def. 3.b)
talking, which is one way to express language (involves precisely coordinated muscle actions of the tongue, lips, jaw, and vocal tract to produce the recognizable sounds that make up langauge) (Speech and Language Developmental Milestones, 2022)
Language (noun)
Language (noun)
the words, their pronunciation, and the methods of combining them used and understood by a community (Merriam-Webster, 2023, def. 1.a)
a systematic means of communicating ideas or feelings by the use of conventionalized signs, sounds, gestures, or marks having understood meanings (Merriam-Webster, 2023, def. 1.b.2)
a set of shared rules that allow people to express their ideas in a meaningful way (can be expressed verbally or by writing, signing, or making other gestures) (Speech and Language Developmental Milestones, 2022)
The Study of Language
The Study of Language
Linguistics(noun): the study of human speech including units, nature, structure, and modification of language (Merriam-Webster, 2023)
Linguistic Components of Language
Lois Bloom and Margaret Lahey categorized language into three groups; form, content and use. The five major components of language fit into these categories which overlap to create a diagram from which to study language.
"Language consists of some aspect of content or meaning that is coded or represented by linguistic form for some purpose or use in a particular context. This three-dimensional view of language is basic to describing the development of langauge." (Bloom & Lahey, 1978, p. 11)
Bloom and Lahey's Language Model (Williamson)
Form
Form
"Language form is the mechanism, the code, the actual shapes and configurations of sounds, words, and structures. Language form is what children actually say." (Bloom, 1980, p. 116-117). This area is often referred to referred to as the set of rules for language.
Language Form is comprised of three parts:
phonology - "the sound system of language - the segments or syllables of consonants and vowels, and suprasegmental tunings of intonation, stress and pause" (Bloom, 1980, p. 117)
morphology - the smallest units of language that carry meaning (e.g. - prefixes and suffixes, -ing, -s, -er)
syntax - "the organization of words and inflections into the still larger units of language that carry meaning" (Bloom, 1980, p. 117)
Content
Content
"Language content is what words and word combinations are about: the semantics or meaining of messages." (Bloom, 1980, p. 122-123).
semantics - the meaning of the words
Use
Use
Language use is the social aspect of communicating ideas through language.
pragmatics - "a branch of linguistics that is concerned with the relationship of sentences to the enviorment in which they occur" (Merriam-Webster, 2023, def. 2)
Phonology Overview
Morphology Overview
Syntax Overview (Parts 1 and 2)
Semantics Overview
Pragmatics Overview
Language and Communication
The Merriam Webster dictionary defines communication as "a process by which information is exchanged between individuals through a common system of symbols, signs, or behavior" (Merriam-Webster, 2023, def. 1a). Language is an integral part of communication and can be either verbal or non-verbal. Non-verbal communication can be used to refer to the use of signed languages, written language, signs and/or symbols, etc. which require no spoken words. Alternatively, the term "non-verbal communication" can also be used to refer to changes in body language, tone, space, touch, and other attributes which are often used in conjunction with verbal communication.
(Ferzoco,2020)
Receptive language is one's ability to understand or comprehend what is being communicated to them.
Expressive language is one's ability to communicate with others. This can be through verbal or non-verbal communication.
In order to communicate with others in social contexts, communication partners must have a minimum level of receptive and expressive capabilities in the same language. The successful exchange of information and ideas is dependent on the speaker's ability to communicate accurately and the listener's ability to comprehend what was communicated. For a conversation to take place between two people, communication partners must act as both the listener and the speaker.
Non-Verbal Communication
Non-verbal communication provides incredible insight into the meaning of the messages that are communicated verbally and can often be used independent of verbal messages in order to communicate. Two primary forms of non-verbal communication can be categorized as body movement (body language), or kinesics, and the use of space, or proxemics.
Discussion Questions
Discussion Questions
Introduction
Non-verbal communication plays a large role in the way humans communicate in society. Reflect on how you use non-verbal communication in your daily life.
Instructions for Initial Post
Think about the social interactions that you have had today and answer the following questions:
What types of non-verbal communication did you use?
Did these non-verbal communications occur with or without your conscious effort?
How did they enhance the conversation and aid in conveying the meaning of your message?
Posts must answer all questions above, displaying comprehension of the information presented in this module and the assigned readings.
Instructions for Responses
A minimum of two responses to classmates' postings is required. Each response should reflect on the use of non-verbal communication in an appropriate, respectful, and professional manner.
Assignment
Assignment
Complete the Syllabus/Class Notes Quiz
Complete the Data Privacy Training in Watermark
Required Tasks
Complete the required readings
Read through the content of this module
Watch the videos embedded in this module
Participate in the discussion of the topics in this module in Canvas
Complete Data Privacy Training in Watermark
Complete Syllabus Quiz in Canvas
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Complete the Handbook Agreement and Professional Statement assignments in Watermark (These are ungraded but required and due by the end of the semester)
References
Big Think. (2012, October 6). Steven Pinker: Linguistics as a Window to Understanding the Brain | Big Think [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-B_ONJIEcE
Bloom, L. (1980). Language development, language disorders, and learning disabilities: LD3. Bulletin of the Orton Society, 30(1), 113–133. https://doi.org/10.1007/bf02653712
Bloom, L., & Lahey, M. (1978). Language Development and Language Disorders. Macmillan Publishing Company.
CrashCourse. (2020, November 20). Phonology: Crash Course Linguistics #10 [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=imH7hdOgxrU
CrashCourse. (2020, October 16). Pragmatics: Crash Course Linguistics #6 [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MPwpk-YgvjQ
CrashCourse. (2020, October 9). Semantics: Crash Course Linguistics #5 [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6geQjY8b7sA
CrashCourse. (2020c, October 2). Syntax - Trees: Crash Course Linguistics #4 [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n1zpnN-6pZQ
CrashCourse. (2020b, September 25). Syntax - Morphosyntax: Crash Course Linguistics #3 [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B1r1grQiLdk
CrashCourse. (2020, September 18). Morphology: Crash Course Linguistics #2 [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=93sK4jTGrss
Ferzoco, J. (2020, April 7). Receptive Language: The Link between Listening and Literacy. Charlotte Speech and Hearing Center. https://charlottespeechhearing.com/receptive-language/
Jason Silva: Shots of Awe. (2015, August 18). What Is Language? [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qfVe4cRtBZU
Merriam-Webster. (2023). Communication. In Merriam-Webster.com dictionary. Retrieved February 15, 2023, from https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/communication
Merriam-Webster. (2023). Language. In Merriam-Webster.com dictionary. Retrieved January 30, 2023, from https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/language
Merriam-Webster. (2023). Pragmatics. In Merriam-Webster.com dictionary. Retrieved February 9, 2023, from https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pragmatics
Merriam-Webster. (2023). Speech. In Merriam-Webster.com dictionary. Retrieved February 8, 2023, from https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/speech
Patricia Jenkinson. (2017, September 27). Nonverbal Codes: Kinesics (Body Movement) [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Igv9R9jlosc
Patricia Jenkinson. (2017a, September 2). Nonverbal Code: Proxemics (Space) [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a-mZ7EDO_38
Speech and Language Developmental Milestones. (2022, October 13). NIDCD. https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/speech-and-language
Williamson, G. (2014, Jan. 15). Language Form. SLT Info. https://www.sltinfo.com/language-form/
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