Jove
Visualize
Contact Us

Related Concept Videos

Language and Cognition01:27

Language and Cognition

938
Language serves as a bridge between ideas and communication, influencing how individuals perceive and interact with the world. Psychologists have long debated whether language shapes thought or vice versa. This discussion gained grip with Edward Sapir and Benjamin Lee Whorf in the 1940s, who proposed that language determines thought, a concept known as linguistic determinism. They suggested that the vocabulary and structure of a language influence how its speakers think and perceive reality.
938
Components of Language01:24

Components of Language

897
Language, whether spoken, signed, or written, consists of specific components: lexicon and grammar. The lexicon is the vocabulary of a language, comprising its words. Grammar is the set of rules used to convey meaning through the lexicon. For example, English grammar adds “-ed” to most verbs to indicate past tense. Words are formed by combining phonemes, which are the basic sound units of a language. Different languages have different sets of phonemes (e.g., “ah” vs.
897
Language Development01:22

Language Development

1.0K
Children master language quickly and with relative ease, supported by both biological predisposition and reinforcement. B. F. Skinner (1957) proposed that language is learned through reinforcement, while Noam Chomsky (1965) argued that language acquisition mechanisms are biologically determined.
The critical period for language acquisition suggests that the ability to acquire language is at its peak early in life. As people age, this proficiency decreases. Language development begins very...
1.0K
Language01:16

Language

988
Language is a unique communication system that uses words and systematic rules to organize and transmit information. Unlike other forms of communication, which may involve postures, movements, odors, or vocalizations, language relies on symbols and grammar. This makes human communication distinct from that of other species, who also communicate but do not use language in the same way humans do.
Corballis and Suddendorf (2007) and Tomasello and Rakoczy (2003) highlight the role of language in...
988
Higher Mental Functions of the Brain: Language01:10

Higher Mental Functions of the Brain: Language

4.0K
Language is a system of communication that allows the expression of thoughts, ideas, and feelings. The brain processes language in both hemispheres.
Language formation and comprehension take place in the dominant hemisphere. The dominant hemisphere is responsible for understanding the meaning of spoken, written, or sign language, as well as the ability to communicate. For most people, the left hemisphere is the dominant one. The right hemisphere, then, gives tone and emotional context to the...
4.0K
Cognitivism01:17

Cognitivism

3.4K
Cognitive psychology emerged as a significant field in the mid-20th century. It focused on understanding humans' internal mental processes. This approach emphasizes how people perceive, remember, think, and solve problems—elements critical to human cognition.
Previously dominated by behaviorism, which prioritized observable behaviors and largely ignored mental processes, psychology transformed in the 1950s. Cognitive psychologists argue that understanding how we think and process...
3.4K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Contextual determinants on the meaning of the N word.

SpringerPlusยท2016
See all related articles
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 22, 2026

Using Eye Movements Recorded in the Visual World Paradigm to Explore the Online Processing of Spoken Language
09:27

Using Eye Movements Recorded in the Visual World Paradigm to Explore the Online Processing of Spoken Language

Published on: October 13, 2018

10.9K

Pragmatics in language change and lexical creativity.

Keith Allan1

  • 1Monash University, Melbourne, Australia ; University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.

Springerplus
|April 12, 2016
PubMed
Summary

Language change and creativity are driven by word remodelling, creating euphemisms and dysphemisms through verbal play. This process, seen in terms for nakedness, reveals cultural inventiveness and motivations for language use.

Keywords:
DysphemismEuphemismFigurative languageMetaphorMetonymyOrthophemism

More Related Videos

Experimental Paradigm for Measuring the Effect of Induced Emotion on Grammar Learning
05:33

Experimental Paradigm for Measuring the Effect of Induced Emotion on Grammar Learning

Published on: January 29, 2020

6.5K
Lexical Decision Task for Studying Written Word Recognition in Adults with and without Dementia or Mild Cognitive Impairment
06:48

Lexical Decision Task for Studying Written Word Recognition in Adults with and without Dementia or Mild Cognitive Impairment

Published on: June 25, 2019

9.9K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Mar 22, 2026

Using Eye Movements Recorded in the Visual World Paradigm to Explore the Online Processing of Spoken Language
09:27

Using Eye Movements Recorded in the Visual World Paradigm to Explore the Online Processing of Spoken Language

Published on: October 13, 2018

10.9K
Experimental Paradigm for Measuring the Effect of Induced Emotion on Grammar Learning
05:33

Experimental Paradigm for Measuring the Effect of Induced Emotion on Grammar Learning

Published on: January 29, 2020

6.5K
Lexical Decision Task for Studying Written Word Recognition in Adults with and without Dementia or Mild Cognitive Impairment
06:48

Lexical Decision Task for Studying Written Word Recognition in Adults with and without Dementia or Mild Cognitive Impairment

Published on: June 25, 2019

9.9K

Area of Science:

  • Linguistics
  • Sociolinguistics
  • Language Change

Background:

  • Language change is influenced by linguistic creativity, particularly through word remodelling and figurative language.
  • Euphemisms and dysphemisms are common linguistic devices used to navigate social norms and express attitudes.
  • Verbal play is a significant factor in the creation of novel terms and expressions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine language change and linguistic creativity through the lens of word remodelling.
  • To explore the role of remodelling in the formation of euphemisms and dysphemisms.
  • To analyze the function of verbal play in semantic and formal language innovation.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of word formation processes, focusing on remodelling (formal) and figurative language (semantic).
  • Examination of lexical items, particularly those related to taboo subjects like nakedness, to illustrate euphemism and dysphemism.
  • Cross-linguistic comparison of categories of X-phemisms to identify universal patterns.

Main Results:

  • Novel terms and expressions arise through formal remodelling and semantic shifts via figurative language.
  • The study provides examples of euphemisms (e.g., 'in the nuddie,' 'birthday suit') and dysphemisms (e.g., 'bare-arsed') for 'nakedness.'
  • X-phemisms (orthophemisms, euphemisms, dysphemisms) are motivated by the desire to adopt a specific stance (upgrading, downgrading, obfuscating) and involve extensive verbal play.

Conclusions:

  • Remodelling and figurative language are key drivers of language change and creativity.
  • Euphemisms and dysphemisms, often employing verbal play, reflect cultural attitudes and social motivations.
  • The study of X-phemisms offers insights into language use, speaker intent, and the evolution of language across cultures.