Abstract
In this chapter we deepen our study of Psycholinguistics with a particular focus on the ‘negative’ evidence from language deficiencies and errors. We note that damage to two particular areas of the brain, close respectively to the speech and auditory areas of the cortex, give rise to characteristic language deficiencies. These suggest localization of particular language functionality, and assymetries between recognition and production. More generally temporary language deficiencies characteristic of particular stages of development give insights into the mechanisms involved. Further the deficiencies in the language of the parents, and the corresponding insensitivity of the child to noise and unsystematic error, also place robustness constraints on the acquisition paradigm. On the other hand, some parental deviations from strict usage are evidently helpful to the child and appear to reflect an implicit under-standing of the acquisition process and an ability to adjust and assist to the various stages. Yet, in contrast, explicit correction appears to evidence a dramatic failure to communicate and influence, but more closely constrained, delayed and self-generated corrections may be effective.
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Powers, D.M.W., Turk, C.C.R. (1989). Language Defects and Correction. In: Machine Learning of Natural Language. Springer, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-1697-4_4
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-1697-4_4
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