Language Key Properties Unit 1

Key Properties of Language

• Language serves as a formalized system of communication consisting of sounds and written symbols, essential for interaction and expression of thoughts and feelings.
• Over 7,100 languages are currently spoken globally, each serving as a unique medium for human communication.
• Language encompasses grammar (structure) and vocabulary (variety of expressions) and can be conveyed orally, visually, or in written form.

Reflexivity

• Reflexivity allows individuals to use language to think and talk about language itself, a unique feature of human communication.
• Unlike animals, which communicate without reflection, humans can discuss the nature and use of language.

Displacement

• Displacement refers to the ability to communicate about events both in the past and future, enabling discussions about abstract and non-present concepts.
• Most animals communicate primarily about immediate contexts, while bees demonstrate a limited form of displacement through their dance to signal food locations.

Arbitrariness

• Arbitrariness denotes the lack of a natural connection between words and their meanings, allowing for flexibility in language development and expression.
• Different languages use varying symbols for the same concepts (e.g., "cup" in English vs. "tasse" in French), highlighting cultural differences in language.

Cultural Transmission

• Cultural transmission describes the process by which language is learned within a particular community rather than biologically inherited.
• Children acquire language through interaction with their environment, illustrating that linguistic traits are not genetically transferred.

Productivity

• Productivity allows for the creation of new terms by modifying existing vocabulary, responding to evolving contexts (e.g., technology and COVID-19 terminology).
• The capacity for endless utterances indicates that humans can generate novel language constructs efficiently.

Duality

• Duality refers to the organization of language at two levels: distinct sounds and their combinations creating meaningful words.
• The ability to recombine a limited set of sounds (e.g., "c," "a," "t" to form "cat") exemplifies the efficiency of human language.

Specialization

• Specialization denotes the capability to use language symbolically to substitute for physical actions (e.g., instructing someone to "stay away" instead of physically pushing them).
• This property emphasizes the role of language in conveying commands without the need for action.

Interchangeability

• Interchangeability allows humans to alternate between the roles of speaker and listener, facilitating dialogue.
• Many animal communication systems lack this feature, as seen in silkworms and peahens, who only send or receive messages.

Phonemes and Phonology

• Phonemes are the smallest sound units in language, essential for word formation (e.g., "th," "a," "t" in "that").
• Phonology studies the structure and patterns of sounds in languages, focusing on pronunciation rules.

Morphemes and Morphology

• Morphemes represent the smallest units of meaning, including base words and affixes (e.g., "un-," "s," "ed").
• Understanding morphology is crucial for vocabulary development and comprehension.

Syntax

• Syntax involves the rules governing sentence structure and word order, enabling clear communication.
• Knowledge of syntax allows comprehension of differently ordered sentences with identical meanings (e.g., active vs. passive voice).

Semantics

• Semantics pertains to how language conveys meaning, which often extends beyond literal interpretations (e.g., idioms like "green with envy").
• Cultural context significantly influences semantics, posing challenges for non-native speakers in grasping nuanced meanings.