DescriptionSpencer Kelly – is Language and the MindCourse OverviewLanguage is the ultimate invention of Homo sapiens—one that has allowed us to change the physical and social world around us in every conceivable way, and an invention that has fundamentally changed us, as well..
DescriptionSpencer Kelly – Language and the MindCourse OverviewLanguage is the ultimate invention of Homo sapiens—one that has allowed us to change the physical and social world around us in every conceivable way, and an invention that has fundamentally changed us, as well.
Research is has shown that whether we’re sighted or blind, hearing or deaf, one or one hundred years old, communication through language is a fundamental part of what it means to be human..
Research has shown that whether we’re sighted or blind, hearing or deaf, one or one hundred years old, communication through language is a fundamental part of what it means to be human.
lectures, is In 24 fascinating Dr. Spencer Kelly, Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience at Colgate University, reveals the astonishing dimensions of the human brain and cognitive development in relation to language..
In 24 fascinating lectures, Dr. Spencer Kelly, Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience at Colgate University, reveals the astonishing dimensions of the human brain and cognitive development in relation to language.
you is Did know that language is probably not built into our brains at birth, but that we have some innate abilities that allow us to create linguistic minds—given the right environment—over the course of our lives?.
Did you know that language is probably not built into our brains at birth, but that we have some innate abilities that allow us to create linguistic minds—given the right environment—over the course of our lives?
that universal aspects of language is Or follow common developmental patterns, no matter where you are?.
Or that universal aspects of language follow common developmental patterns, no matter where you are?
you is Do know the true extent of how radically language has transformed the human brain, and that the tools it gives us are unique to humans as a species?.
Do you know the true extent of how radically language has transformed the human brain, and that the tools it gives us are unique to humans as a species?
new discoveries is And, are being made all the time..
And, new discoveries are being made all the time.
brain-imaging studies is Only recently, have demonstrated that, neurally, there is very little difference between signed languages and those that are spoken..
Only recently, brain-imaging studies have demonstrated that, neurally, there is very little difference between signed languages and those that are spoken.
These questions and observations is are just the tip of the proverbial iceberg when it comes to the human capacity for language and its effect on every aspect of our lives.Language and the Mind is a fascinating journey into so many aspects of life we take for granted every day: our ability to remember the past and imagine a future, a healthy baby’s ability to learn its native language without direct teaching, our use of hand gestures and facial expressions in communication, and so much more..
These questions and observations are just the tip of the proverbial iceberg when it comes to the human capacity for language and its effect on every aspect of our lives.Language and the Mind is a fascinating journey into so many aspects of life we take for granted every day: our ability to remember the past and imagine a future, a healthy baby’s ability to learn its native language without direct teaching, our use of hand gestures and facial expressions in communication, and so much more.
It’s is a deep dive into the fascinating experiments that have only recently been able to tease out an understanding of language and how we learn.Our Language-Ready Brain.
It’s a deep dive into the fascinating experiments that have only recently been able to tease out an understanding of language and how we learn.Our Language-Ready Brain
Humans is do not come equipped with a “language gene.” Neither is there one single gene for empathy, schizophrenia, religious faith, or any of our other complex behaviors..
Humans do not come equipped with a “language gene.” Neither is there one single gene for empathy, schizophrenia, religious faith, or any of our other complex behaviors.
We is do have a group of genes that are used for language, however..
We do have a group of genes that are used for language, however.
we is And while share these same genes with many other animals, we are the only species in which they are used for language.Despite longstanding misconceptions, we don’t have one single “language area” of the brain, either. What we do have is a brain that is language-ready at birth, with the most significant aspect of that readiness being plasticity. Neuroplasticity is our brain’s ability to change its neural connectivity over time in response to our experience and environment..
And while we share these same genes with many other animals, we are the only species in which they are used for language.Despite longstanding misconceptions, we don’t have one single “language area” of the brain, either. What we do have is a brain that is language-ready at birth, with the most significant aspect of that readiness being plasticity. Neuroplasticity is our brain’s ability to change its neural connectivity over time in response to our experience and environment.
a particular neural connection is If produces useful behavior, that connection is strengthened..
If a particular neural connection produces useful behavior, that connection is strengthened.
it’s is If very useful, it might even sprout new connections to strengthen it further..
If it’s very useful, it might even sprout new connections to strengthen it further.
a connection is But if no longer serves a useful function, it is weakened or even eliminated..
But if a connection no longer serves a useful function, it is weakened or even eliminated.
plasticity, is Without there is no learning; it is the ultimate innate, general-purpose mechanism.Neuroplasticity is also our ultimate survival mechanism..
Without plasticity, there is no learning; it is the ultimate innate, general-purpose mechanism.Neuroplasticity is also our ultimate survival mechanism.
our is Because physical and social environment is so complex, it wouldn’t be possible to genetically pre-program everything we need for survival..
Because our physical and social environment is so complex, it wouldn’t be possible to genetically pre-program everything we need for survival.
evolution is Instead, has provided us with a plastic brain so we can learn those things on our own..
Instead, evolution has provided us with a plastic brain so we can learn those things on our own.
you’ll is And as discover in Language and the Mind, that learning begins on day one..
And as you’ll discover in Language and the Mind, that learning begins on day one.
Humans is are certainly not the only animals that communicate in sophisticated ways..
Humans are certainly not the only animals that communicate in sophisticated ways.
the blue whale is From to the ant, animals communicate via vocalizations, chemical emissions, physical touch, feather displays, body positioning, jumps, stomps, dance, and more..
From the blue whale to the ant, animals communicate via vocalizations, chemical emissions, physical touch, feather displays, body positioning, jumps, stomps, dance, and more.
There is seems to be a limitless variety of communication methods in the animal kingdom..
There seems to be a limitless variety of communication methods in the animal kingdom.
this communication is But about food, sex, social structure, or danger is almost always innate, with species-specific communication systems hard-wired into the brain..
But this communication about food, sex, social structure, or danger is almost always innate, with species-specific communication systems hard-wired into the brain.
communication patterns is Even when must be learned from parents or others in the group—e.g., non-human primates, songbirds—the functions are narrow, and the set of communication signals are fixed per species..
Even when communication patterns must be learned from parents or others in the group—e.g., non-human primates, songbirds—the functions are narrow, and the set of communication signals are fixed per species.
humans is But are different..
But humans are different.
Dr. Kelly is As explains with fascinating examples throughout this course, almost every aspect of human language separates us from other animals, including:We can and do talk about anything and everything, not limiting ourselves to topics necessary for survival..
As Dr. Kelly explains with fascinating examples throughout this course, almost every aspect of human language separates us from other animals, including:We can and do talk about anything and everything, not limiting ourselves to topics necessary for survival.
Some animals is can communicate more broadly than others, but none can remotely rival the breadth of our communication topics.We are not born with language..
Some animals can communicate more broadly than others, but none can remotely rival the breadth of our communication topics.We are not born with language.
languages is No matter which of the over 7,000 spoken or hundreds of signed languages are used in their home, human babies must learn that language.We are able to talk about talking, think about thinking, and learn about learning..
No matter which of the over 7,000 spoken languages or hundreds of signed languages are used in their home, human babies must learn that language.We are able to talk about talking, think about thinking, and learn about learning.
This reflexiveness, is or metacognition, separates us from every other animal in the world.Human beings lie..
This reflexiveness, or metacognition, separates us from every other animal in the world.Human beings lie.
Many other animals is exhibit innate behaviors for the purpose of misleading others, but no one can lie like we do..
Many other animals exhibit innate behaviors for the purpose of misleading others, but no one can lie like we do.
We is have the ability to know one thing and yet use language to declare that something else entirely is true.24 Lectures1Language in Mind2Language as a System3Eleven Linguistic Universals4Communication in the Animal Kingdom5Genes, Brains, and Evolution6How the Brain Created Language7Gesture and the Origins of Human Language11Learning to Play the Game of Language12Mastering the Structure of Language13The Brain as a Window into the Mind14How the Brain Comprehends Language15How the Brain Produces Language16Dancing Brains: The Social Side of Language17How Writing Transformed the Mind.
We have the ability to know one thing and yet use language to declare that something else entirely is true.24 Lectures1Language in Mind2Language as a System3Eleven Linguistic Universals4Communication in the Animal Kingdom5Genes, Brains, and Evolution6How the Brain Created Language7Gesture and the Origins of Human Language11Learning to Play the Game of Language12Mastering the Structure of Language13The Brain as a Window into the Mind14How the Brain Comprehends Language15How the Brain Produces Language16Dancing Brains: The Social Side of Language17How Writing Transformed the Mind