1So far:• Language learning as a way to pass onknowledge over generations.• Language learning as a way to pass on“biases” to the next generation.• The specific language (or languages!)learned may influence cognition.But what is it about language that matters?Language is a shared symbolsystem!2• Symbol - something that is intended to standfor something else other than itself.– e.g. Words. The relationship between words andtheir meanings is (mostly) arbitrary.– Other examples?• What does one need to learn a symbol system?– Chimps can learn lexical signs– …but with some limitationsOne theory of symbolic systems:• Dual representation -- the ability to relatea real object and a symbol.• Using a symbolic artifact requires dualrepresentation.• Increasing ability to achieve dualrepresentation allows children to discoverthe abstract nature of various symbolicartifacts.3One example:the development of Pretend Play• Pretend familiar activities with real or realisticobjects.• True symbolic play- creating temporary symbolsby using one object as if it were something otherthan itself.• Combining complex actions into a coherentpretend scenario.• Understanding the role of mental state on pretendplay.• Understanding that pretending is primarily amental activity.Scale Model
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