Language and Cognitive Psychology Essay

In the field of Modern Languages and Linguistics, words are of great importance. A language’s phonology (study of how sounds are organized and used), morphology (study of the form and structure of words), syntax (study of the rules that govern sentence structure), semantics (study of meaning of words, sentences, and expressions), pragmatics (study of aspects of meaning and language use and context), and phonetics (study of human speech sounds) all play an important part in everyday life. These have a major impact in understanding the intent of what is spoken or heard. Due to the importance of communication, literary elements such as metaphors (which are defined as a figure of speech in which a word or phrase

Language is an incredibly powerful tool for communication and the words we use control the

When looking through animal history, we humans have praised ourselves for our exceptional ability to communicate in an advanced manner. Whether we are listening or speaking, humans have crafted language into a powerful tool that is boundless and flexible against other arts. Moreover, through the perspective of building civilizations, communication has been the foundation of community. As Language is our most advanced form of communication; to what degree of value do we hold it in our society? Throughout the seminars, groups of people explored the history and significance of how we perceive language and the hidden advantages or disadvantages it provides.

There is no other natural type of communication quite like the system of human language. It consists of vocal sounds, written symbols, signs, and gestures. Human beings use these gestures, symbols, and metaphors for many different purposes such as expressing thoughts, providing information, giving instructions, and effectively negotiating amongst one another. Human language can express many things such as thoughts and feelings between two or more people and is the greatest necessity in human communications. In Philosophy in a New Key, Susan Langer writes “The development of language is the history of the gradual accumulation and elaboration of verbal symbols. By means of this phenomenon, man’s whole behavior-pattern has undergone an immense change from the simple biological scheme, and his mentality has expanded to such a degree that it is no longer comparable to the minds of animals.” Although other species are not without their own forms of communication, it is human language that is responsible for the success of the human species, in which makes human language unique to human beings. It is symbolic, intelligent and consists of writing, grammar, and abstract speech. Language is a main element that separates man from

Language is our thoughts expressed, it’s how we attempt to define ourselves and set ourselves apart as individuals or as part of a social gathering of living situation.

Pinker (1994c) esteems language as “the jewel in the crown of cognition.” Language serves the purpose of communicating or revealing our cognitive processes. The beautiful thing about language is that it is one of most “complex and valuable aspect of cognition” (Robinson-Riegler & Robinson-Riegler, 2008). Babies are able to learn language and sometime understand the language before they can speak it. There are different types of languages: sign language, English, Spanish, Dutch, French, Braille. All of these are ways that people communicate with one another depending on their culture and mental/physical circumstances (deaf, blind).

Language is the art of communication. Through language we communicate emotions, knowledge and ideas with each other. Language can be both verbal or symbolic. Language can have a strong influence on our perceptions and how we view each other. In this essay I’m going to talk about how the way words are communicated can affect their perceived meanings.

Aristophanes once stated, “High thoughts must have high language”. Many linguist, philosopher, researchers, and intellectuals believe that our language affects our cognitive thoughts and others claim that it cannot manage our thoughts. Language is essential in our daily basis interactions. Even for those who don’t have the ability to hear or speak, they have their own sign language, which they use to communicate. Language is what we use to inform people with our thoughts, feelings, and desires; language is the method that we use to understand and explore the world.

The language is the specific quality observed as a human phenomenon. It includes the abilities to communicate with other people and even to perceive the initial thinking. However, the language has several distributions and it is divided into the spoken and written one. Both spoken and written languages have some similarities, such as having communicational functions, but they differ greatly in their origins, the principles and behavior, and in the vocabulary.

Language is a system of making meaning through the use of different forms of communication such as verbal language, written texts, visual properties and gestures. These methods of language progress in stages throughout a child’s development, beginning as early in the mother’s womb.

The claim, humans are the only animal that can acquire language has been the subject of much debate as scientists have investigated language use by non-human species. Researchers have taught apes, monkeys, parrots and wild children with various systems of human-like communication. Thus, one might ask, what is human language? According to Ulla Hedeager, A universally accepted definition of language or the criteria for its use does not exist. This is one of the reasons for the disagreement among scientists about whether non-human species can use a language. In nature, researchers find numerous types of communication systems, several of which appear to be unique to their possessors, and one of them is the language of the human species. Basically, the purpose of communication is the preservation, growth, and development of the species (Smith and Miller 1968:265). The ability to exchange information is shared by all communication systems, and a number of non-human systems share some features of human language. The fundamental difference between human and non-human communication is that animals are believed to react instinctively, in a stereotyped and predictable way. Generally, human behavior is under the voluntary control,

Over the centuries of human development, initial grunts and hand signs have been replaced by more complicated language structures as a basis of communication. Today, it is not only words and their assigned meanings that make the bulk of communication among people. There are also subtle nuances of meaning and implied meaning that are often misunderstood or misconstrued. Furthermore, elements such as lying and misunderstanding also influence how language is used and perceived among individuals. Because language forms the majority of communication among human beings, it is also true that it is closely connected to cognitive psychology and the way in which human beings ensure their health on various levels, including the mental level. In order to further consider this, concepts such as lexicon, the features of language, and the four levels of language can be usefully examined.

Language is a human phenomenon that throughout history has aided in the communication between individuals and contributed to the psychological welfare of individuals. Having the ability to communicate is the most important evolutionary trait that has occurred. Since communication allows a species to be able to create sounds that have a distinctive meaning. Those meanings being everything from warning calls, mating calls or simply chatters to declare ones territory. Language is a human equivalent to animal calls, in that it provides people the ability to communicate a wide range of concepts. Language allows people to engage in conversation where business or personal relationships can be created. The relationships people develop whether

Language as a whole is what separates the human race from that of animals. It is one of the most basic unifying human traits of self-expression and communication. Language advances independent human thought, and consequently, humans are able to construct high-functioning societies. Language impacts society through basic daily needs, as well as through complex systems such as governmental control, personal beliefs, and socially accepted behaviors.

“Language shapes the way we think, and determines what we can think about.” – Benjamin Lee Whorf