EXAM Nature and Functions of language

Question 1

Sapir-Whorf/Linguistic determinism:

Answer 1

Language enables and prevents certain thought, meaning that people of other languages can’t understand some concepts

Question 2

Linguistic relativism:

Answer 2

Language influences thought

Question 3

UNIQUENESS: Social Cohesion & Rapport

Answer 3

“Lang is used for social cohesion” - Tariq Rahman
Collaboration, understanding through paralinguistics and semantics prevent aggravation and discontent, solve disputes, cultivate agreements and spread information.

Question 4

UNIQUE

Answer 4

More than just innate animal noises, COMPLEX
D Bickerton Harvard Uni Press: “communicate using symbols, collaborate with others, explain the world in terms of hypothetical causes, imagine impossible scenarios.”
Expression, transaction etc

Question 5

Use - COMMUNICATION

Answer 5

Gentner: “Permits us to transmit information to eachother”

Phatic, referential, expressive

Question 6

USE - Identity

Answer 6

Self-explanatory