Week 2
Reflect on the readings. What parts of the brain are most important for the production and comprehension of speech?
In speech production: Thought is generated in Wernicke’s area, encoded in Borac’s area and the signals are passed to articulatory organs. (Crystal, 2005)
In speech comprehension: The auditory cortex receives signals from ear and transfers it to Weirnecke’s are, where it is interpreted. (Crystal, 2005)
The Weirnecke’s area is the common denominator.
How do you conceptualize or process meaning?
The most common mechanisms for deriving meaning from a lexeme are:
- Grouping them – by field of meaning, or function in speech, for example.
- Observing the position and associated lexemes – where is it used? And with what other lexemes?
- Associating lexemes – either by similarity or opposition, associating words or phrases helps increase vocabulary.
Do these readings bring to mind any questions or motivations that could help promote your foreign-language abilities, retention, and recollection?
What I found most interesting in the reading was the idea of how different populations use their languages to represent the world around them. I think it showed a strong correlation between language and culture. Knowing that there are aspects in any language that are inherent to the culture where it grew is exciting, because now I see my language study as an opportunity to have a peak at a new foreign culture before I get the chance to travel there!
