Podcast
Questions and Answers
The symbols in human language are considered to be ________
The symbols in human language are considered to be ________
arbitrary
There is no intrinsic connection between the word '______' and the meaning of lion
There is no intrinsic connection between the word '______' and the meaning of lion
lion
Except for onomatopoeic words, most words in human language are ________
Except for onomatopoeic words, most words in human language are ________
arbitrary
Animals automatically know how to communicate without ________
Animals automatically know how to communicate without ________
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Human language is acquired through a long ________ process
Human language is acquired through a long ________ process
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A human being brought up in isolation does not acquire any ________
A human being brought up in isolation does not acquire any ________
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Human language is conditioned by the ________, with some innate predisposition in newborns
Human language is conditioned by the ________, with some innate predisposition in newborns
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The organization of language into two layers is known as ________ or double articulation
The organization of language into two layers is known as ________ or double articulation
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Animals have a stock of basic ________ sounds which vary according to species
Animals have a stock of basic ________ sounds which vary according to species
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Dolphins, gorillas, and chimpanzees have between 20 and 30 ________ sounds
Dolphins, gorillas, and chimpanzees have between 20 and 30 ________ sounds
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Study Notes
Patterning in Language
- English imposes strict rules regarding the permissible combinations and sequence of words in a sentence.
- Each word's placement is defined by its relationship with other words, forming a network of interrelated elements.
- Words must adhere to specific patterns; they do not exist independently but derive meaning from their position within the structure.
Structure Dependency
- Language operations require an understanding of a sentence's internal structure rather than merely counting elements.
- Example: In transforming a verb to past tense with "-ed," it is not simply about the second word; context matters.
- Incorrect applications of tense on sentence components demonstrate the need for structure awareness, as in "The womaned open the door."
Creativity (Productivity) in Human Language
- Unlike animals, humans possess the ability to communicate about virtually any topic, showcasing the feature of creativity in language use.
- Individuals can construct novel sentences that have never been expressed before.
Characteristics of Human Language vs. Animal Communication
- Human language is more organized than many animal communication systems, which typically consist of simple lists lacking internal structure.
- In English, sound combinations are governed by rules, allowing for certain arrangements while disallowing others (e.g., "bats," "tabs," "stab" are valid; "*sbat," "*abts," "*stba" are not).
Examples of Word Combinations
- Possible sentence formations using the example words: "the," "burglar," "sneezed," "loudly" include:
- "The burglar sneezed loudly."
- "Loudly, the burglar sneezed."
- "Loudly sneezed the burglar."
- "The burglar loudly sneezed."
- Invalid combinations include:
- "*The loudly burglar sneezed."
- "*Sneezed burglar loudly the."
Conclusion
- The interaction of elements in human language, defined by patterning, structure dependency, and creativity, underscores its complexity compared to simpler animal communication systems.
Studying That Suits You
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Description
Test your understanding of English language patterns where specific items occur together in fixed orders. Practice identifying the correct substitutions for given sentences following a set pattern.
