Francis Lowenthal

Language and Recursion

This paper examines whether the recursive structure imbedded in some exercises used in the Non Verbal Communication Device (NVCD) approach is actually the factor that enables this approach to favor language acquisition and reacquisition in the case of children with cerebral lesions. For that a definition of the principle of recursion as it is used by logicians is presented. The two opposing approaches to the problem of language development are explained. For many authors such as Chomsky [1] the faculty of language is innate. This is known as the Standard Theory; the other researchers in this field, e.g. Bates and Elman [2], claim that language is entirely constructed by the young child: they thus speak of Language Acquisition. It is also shown that in both cases, a version of the principle of recursion is relevant for human language. The NVCD approach is defined and the results obtained in the domain of language while using this approach are presented: young subjects using this approach acquire a richer l...

Étude des caractéristiques psychologiques et psychobiologiques des enfants à haut potentiel

Resume Cette etude a pour objectif de mettre en evidence les profils psychologiques et physiologiques des enfants a haut potentiel. En effet, certaines caracteristiques sont plus frequemment associees aux hautes potentialites (grossesses anormales, naissances prematurees, myopie, allergies, migraines...). Ces caracteristiques nous amenent a formuler l’existence de perturbations durant la grossesse ayant pour consequence le developpement d’une structure cerebrale singuliere, propre a ces enfants. Notre etude inclut 45 enfants a haut potentiel repartis dans 2 groupes selon l’harmonie de leur profil intellectuel et un groupe de 30 enfants a potentiel normal. Notre recherche confirme la presence de caracteristiques psychologiques, psychopathologiques, physiologiques et sociales des enfants a haut potentiel. L’origine innee ou acquise de ces perturbations n’est pas encore bien determinee. Notre option defend l’hypothese d’une influence combinee des facteurs environnementaux et innes dans le developpement de hautes potentialites chez l’enfant.

Synthesis of the Main Discussions

This book is made of papers written after and inspired by the discussions held during the Mons conference on “Language and Recursion.” Therefore, these papers do not exactly correspond to the content of the presentations. This conference was an unusual one: the organizers had decided that the most precious thing was not the simple communication of new results but the exchange of ideas during discussions. It was thus decided, after the presentation of new results by a panel, to maximize the general discussion time. The aim was that during each of these discussion sessions, the participants would continue the same discussion about all already presented results. In order to achieve this aim, all participants were asked to attend all the sessions, and not only the session where they were supposed to speak. Astonishingly enough, in these times of fast and short communication, most participants accepted to “play the game” until the end of the conference and thus to “lose time,” exchanging profound ideas.

Computer Simulations of Recursive Exercises for a Nonverbal Communication Device

In this chapter, we propose a systematic and algorithmic approach for the creation of optimal and reference NVCD-like exercises based on manipulations of the Dynamical Mazes (Cohors-Fresenborg, Revue de phonetique appliquee 46/47:93–99, 1978). The exercises obtained by our methodology are characterized by an economy of game elements, as well as a form of regularity. A software created for this purpose enables the researcher to dispose for each type of problem situation (discovery of a given regularity) of a set of three different presentations, one of them containing recursive and embedded elements. The methodology we describe in this chapter makes several researches on the influence of these approaches on language acquisition and reacquisition possible.

Nonverbal Communication Devices, Language, Cerebral Flexibility, and Recursive Exercises

In order to study and favor cognitive development, we defined an original approach (Lowenthal, Communication and Cognition, 13:43–63, 1980; Proceedings of the seventh International Conference for the Psychology of Mathematics Education. Rehovot: Weizmann Institute of Science, 1983): the concept of Nonverbal Communication Device (NVCD).

COGNITIVE STRATEGIES OBSERVED DURING PROBLEM SOLVING WITH LOGO

The present paper is devoted to a clinical preliminary analysis of the strategies used during one school year by 280 9 to 12 year olds, working in pairs and engaged in LOGO related problem solving activites. The data are grouped as a function of the type of strategies used by the pupils for a given problem and these strategies are defined as a function of the complexity level of the LOGO procedures created and measured on the basis of a hierarchy based upon actual observations. The types of solving processes and the types of mistakes most often encountered are also analysed. The evolution of the strategies used by different groups are compared. All these data show the relevance of a multilinear and contextual vision of problem solving strategies as opposed to the rigid vision described by some authors. The results presented here are especially relevant for teachers engaged in remedial activities.