Psycholinguistics Scope Experimental Comprehension Developmental Acquisition Production Related Fields Neurolinguistics Sociolinguistics Pragmatics LINGUISTICS SLA Based on M. K. Tanenhaus, 1988. Psycholinguistics: An Overview. 1
The Bigger Context - 1 n Cognitive Science (interdisciplinary) n Cognitive Psychology (thought, memory, perception, LANGUAGE, imagery, judgment, problem solving) n Psycholinguistics Experimental Comprehension Production Developmental Acquisition 2
Views of Language LINGUISTS Linguistic autonomy Language is NOT merely a manifestation of general cognitive abilities: innate and unique Rules and representations are distinct subsystems Syntax is central Focus on competence rather than performance Assumes it is possible to study structure separately from use Assumes sentence is basic unit of interest Often rationalist in approach "Narrower" scope of enquiry 4
Views of Language PSYCHOLOGISTS Linguistic minimalism / cognitivist Language viewed in the same framework as other cognitive systems Rules are just manifestations of more general processes Syntax has a less central role No sharp boundary between structure and use The sentence is NOT the basic unit of interest necessarily Generally empirical in approach "Broader" scope of enquiry 5