Psychology of language

Speaking something as complex as a human language is an amazing intellectual ability, and in this unit you will study those unconscious processes that underlie this ability. You will examine the distinctive features of language (both spoken and signed) as a system of communication and as a gateway to understanding the complexities of human cognition. You will delve into the intricacies of language structure, acquisition, development and change. You will investigate language comprehension and production (and what happens when these processes go wrong), and see how human cognition measures up to artificial intelligence. You will also look at the ways in which the social and cultural environment can influence how language is used, and the extent to which language and thought may shape one another.