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Questions and Answers
What is the English word Language derived from?
What is the English word Language derived from?
The Latin term Lingua
What does the Latin term Lingua mean?
What does the Latin term Lingua mean?
Tongue
The word Language is only a metaphor for communication in English.
The word Language is only a metaphor for communication in English.
False
What does Edward Sapir describe language as?
What does Edward Sapir describe language as?
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What is the definition of language according to Bloch and Trager?
What is the definition of language according to Bloch and Trager?
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According to C. Hall, what is language?
According to C. Hall, what is language?
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How does Noam Chomsky define language?
How does Noam Chomsky define language?
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Language is only used by humans, and no other animal on Earth.
Language is only used by humans, and no other animal on Earth.
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How does a language work?
How does a language work?
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The use of writing predates the use of speech in human history.
The use of writing predates the use of speech in human history.
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The meaning of a symbol in a language is always related to the symbol.
The meaning of a symbol in a language is always related to the symbol.
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A language is a natural phenomenon and not subject to cultural influence.
A language is a natural phenomenon and not subject to cultural influence.
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Language is primarily developed in the brain.
Language is primarily developed in the brain.
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Language is a fixed system that is unable to adapt.
Language is a fixed system that is unable to adapt.
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Language allows us to reflect on language itself.
Language allows us to reflect on language itself.
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Which of these is NOT one of the functions of language?
Which of these is NOT one of the functions of language?
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“A rose by any other name would smell as sweet” is an example of conative function of language.
“A rose by any other name would smell as sweet” is an example of conative function of language.
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Saying “hello” or “how are you?” is an example of a conative function of language.
Saying “hello” or “how are you?” is an example of a conative function of language.
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Language can only convey information.
Language can only convey information.
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Which one is NOT an example of a language origin theory?
Which one is NOT an example of a language origin theory?
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The Bow-Wow Theory is the most accepted theory of language origin nowadays.
The Bow-Wow Theory is the most accepted theory of language origin nowadays.
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Language is thought to have evolved gradually over time.
Language is thought to have evolved gradually over time.
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The evolutionary theory says that language is unrelated to brain evolution.
The evolutionary theory says that language is unrelated to brain evolution.
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What does the evolutionary theory suggest?
What does the evolutionary theory suggest?
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Study Notes
Linguistics Lesson 04: What Is Language?
- The English word "language" comes from the Latin term "lingua," meaning "tongue."
- This reflects the historical importance of spoken language.
- The term "language" is used metaphorically to describe how humans communicate.
- Language is a purely human, non-instinctive system used to communicate ideas, emotions, and desires using voluntary symbols. — Edward Sapir
- Language is a system of arbitrary vocal symbols allowing social groups to collaborate.— Bloch and Trager (1942)
- Language is the institution for human communication and interaction using oral-auditory or arbitrary symbols.— C. Hall (1968)
- Language is a set of sentences, each finite in length, formed from a finite set of elements.— Noam Chomsky (1957)
Drawing from the Definitions
- Language is uniquely human, distinct from other life forms' communication systems.
- Language is a structured system; elements follow rules, and combinations aren't arbitrary.
- Primarily vocal; languages depend on sound, with writing systems developed later.
- Language is symbolic; words are linked with objects, actions, and ideas based on accepted conventions.
Defining Features of Language
- Arbitrariness: The link between sounds (or signs) and meanings isn't inherent; the word "dog" doesn't inherently resemble a dog. Pictographs and onomatopoeia are exceptions, not the norm.
- Discreteness: Language consists of separate units (phonemes, morphemes, words) which can combine to create new meanings. This allows for a vast number of possible expressions.
- Productivity (Generativity): Humans can create and grasp an endless array of new sentences. This creative capacity is key for expressing novel ideas and adapting to changing situations.
- Cultural Transmission: Languages are learned and passed down within societies. Children learn language from their environment, and languages continually change over time.
- Duality of Patterning: Language's structure is hierarchical, combining smaller, meaningless units (sounds) into larger, meaningful units (words, sentences). This allows for intricate expressions.
- Displacement: Language allows communication of ideas not present in the current setting. This includes past, future, and hypothetical/abstract concepts.
Language Functions
- Language performs various actions to enable communication and expression of thoughts, feelings, and ideas.
- These functions are categorized broadly.
- Expressive Function: Language conveys emotions, feelings, attitudes (e.g., joy, sadness, anger) through words, intonation, and other linguistic details.
- Referential Function: Language describes objects, events, concepts, and relationships in the world, enabling knowledge sharing.
- Conative Function: Language aims to influence or direct others' behavior. This involves commands, requests, suggestions, and related actions/utterances.
- Phatic Function: Language focuses on maintaining social interaction; establishing/sustaining relationships rather than conveying information. Examples include greetings, casual conversation, and politeness expressions.
- Metalinguistic Function: Language describes itself; this function clarifies meanings and discusses language concepts and rules.
- Poetic Function: Language is used to convey aesthetic and creative aspects of expression, including literary and artistic uses of language.
- Cognitive Function: Language organizes and structures thought. It lets individuals categorize, analyze, and reason, contributing to development.
- Interrogative Function: Language enables questions to seek information, clarification, or confirmation.
- Performative Function: Language creates actions; certain utterances have actions inherent to the utterance, such as marriage vows.
The Origin of Language
- The origin of language is a complex topic, and no single theory is universally accepted.
- Divine Source: Language origins are attributed to a higher power.
- Bow-Wow Theory: Language developed from imitating natural sounds.
- Evolutionary Theory: Gradual language development linked to human interaction, cognitive function, and adapting to challenges of living together in groups.
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