Fundamentals
Language
A system of communication using symbols to convey meaning
Language Comprehension
Understanding spoken or written language
Perception
Encodes sensory input during language comprehension
Components of Language
Consists of phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, and pragmatics
Cognitive Processes
Perception, attention, memory, and reasoning
Attention
Directs resources to relevant linguistic cues
Language Development
Progresses through babbling, single words, two-word phrases, and complex sentences
Bottom-Up Processing
Sequential processing from perceptual features to meaning
Memory
Stores and retrieves linguistic information
Language Universals
This include phonemes, syntax, and the ability to express past, present, and future events
Top-Down Processing
Use of prior knowledge and context to guide comprehension
Reasoning
Infers meaning and connections between ideas
Functions of Language
Expressing thoughts and emotions, conveying information, social interaction, and cultural transmission
Interactive Models
Combination of bottom-up and top-down processing for improved comprehension
Models
Bottom-up, top-down, and interactive approaches