Language, learning, and development: perspectives on language acquisition and brain function

What makes us human? Language takes the lead in this dispute that has not been settled by science. What is known is that only humans have developed an apparatus fit for the production of sounds in all the known languages coupled with a brain circuitry that enables communication to become not only tr...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Mirela Ramacciotti, Christine Eccles
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Universidade Estadual Paulista 2019-04-01
Series:Revista EntreLínguas
Subjects:
Online Access:https://periodicos.fclar.unesp.br/entrelinguas/article/view/12789
Description
Summary:What makes us human? Language takes the lead in this dispute that has not been settled by science. What is known is that only humans have developed an apparatus fit for the production of sounds in all the known languages coupled with a brain circuitry that enables communication to become not only transactional, but also a matter of collaboration and cocreation. What is proposed in this review is to examine the relationship between language, thought, and learning; the hypothesis of linguistic determinism and relativism and its implication for learning and development; current ideas on the evolution of human language; connections between linguistic development and genetic inheritance of language capacity; the difference between first and second language acquisition; and  how correct identification of dyslexia and aphasia can inform current understanding of the process of language acquisition and development.
ISSN:2447-3529