Chapter 1 & 2 Flashcards
Bow-wow theory
Humans tried imitating sounds that were made by certain and then referred to those sounds when talking about the objects (caw-caw), doesnt explain abstract concepts
Pooh-pooh theory
Speech developed from instinctive sounds people make in emotional circumstances (ouch, ooh), but we inhale with those interjections so unlikely
Early language theory - Musical source
Intonation and melody used to charm other humans
Early language theory - Social interaction source
People had to learn how to communicate somehow, as they lived together in groups
Early language theory - Physical adaptation source
Walking on two legs impacts how we breathe and can support making different sounds. Also, our vocal tract transformed to be able to make certain consonant sounds.
There must have been good reason for lowering larynx (larger range of sounds) because it meant the risk of choking on food.
Early language theory - Genetic source
Human appear to be born with capacity for language.
Innateness hypothesis
It is in human’s genes to use language
Communicative signals
Specific and intentional
Informative signals
Unintentional (body language, outfit etc)
Reflexivity
We can use language to think and talk about language itself, which animals cannot do
Properties of human language
Reflexivity, displacement, arbitrariness, productivity, cultural transmission, duality
Displacement
Humans can refer to past and future time, allows humans to talk about things not present in immediate environment (santa clause, heaven, tomorrow)
Arbitrariness
No natural connection between linguistic form and meaning
Cultural Transmission
languages are not inherited, they are acquired through culture. cultural transmission = process whereby language is passed from one generation to the next
productivity
humans create new expressions by manipulating linguistic resources, potential number of utterances in any human language is infinite
