In this video, Steven Pinker, a cognitive scientist and Professor of Psychology at Harvard University, explores language as a fundamental aspect of human nature and a gateway to understanding the human mind. He discusses the nature of language, distinguishing it from writing and grammar, and delves into how language works through concepts like the mental lexicon and grammar. Pinker also touches upon language acquisition in children, phonology, speech production and comprehension, and the role of pragmatics. He highlights the creative power of language, its universality across cultures, and its implications for cognitive science and other fields.
