Chapter
The Motor Theory of Language
1:21:10 - 1:27:04 (05:54)
The complexity of language generation and understanding can be explained through the motor theory of language, which connects the articulation of sounds with meaning. Different languages use different sound elements, but they can be reduced to about 12 different articulatory features.
Clips
The combination and recombination of sound elements in different languages give rise to different words and meanings.
1:21:10 - 1:23:17 (02:07)
Summary
The combination and recombination of sound elements in different languages give rise to different words and meanings. Learning multiple languages simultaneously during development can prevent an accent in speaking them later, but the rules governing which consonants can be in a particular sequence for a given language can make it more complex.
ChapterThe Motor Theory of Language
EpisodeDr. Eddie Chang: The Science of Learning & Speaking Languages
PodcastHuberman Lab
The complexity of language can be mapped to motor structures due to the generation of sounds we create with specific movements of the mouth.
1:23:17 - 1:27:04 (03:47)
Summary
The complexity of language can be mapped to motor structures due to the generation of sounds we create with specific movements of the mouth. The articulatory features of language can be simplified to about 12 different features, which allows us to generate an infinite number of words and meanings.