Language Flashcards
Is there a universal definition for Language?
No
Defining language is like defining the term life. The exact characteristics have to be talked about. Currently ___ definitions (single/several) for language exist
Several
(Symbol System) Every language that exists in ___ form chooses some symbols for its sounds Eg /k/ in English and ka in Hindi for similar sounds
Written
( Symbol System) these symbols form an ____. According to a system, they join and form meaningful words.
Alphabet
( Symbol system) A symbol is a concrete event or object that stands for something___Eg Cross ✝️for Christians
Abstract
( Symbol System) Words are symbols for objects. give Eg
Table is a symbol for a wooden object on 4 legs
( Symbol System) When someone wants to communicate, they put their message across in symbol form. The receiver shares a ___ with the sender and is able to interpret and understand the symbols.
Common understanding
( Arbitrary) Is there one to one correspondence between a word structure and the object it stands for?
No
( Arbitrary) There is a ___ established that can’t be easily changed. eg PEN is not spelled as NEP
Convention
( Arbitrary) However language is still infinitely ___ and ____ to community needs eg Shakespeare modified stomach to mean courage & new words like Sputnik
Extendable, modifiable
( Arbitrary) This nature of language allows ___ but it’s conventionality gives it ___
Change, stability
( Animal communication) Language is possessed only by ___ as opposed to less developed animals.
Humans
( Animal communication) Language is species ___ and ___
Specific, uniform
( Animal communication) eg A bee can convey distance and source of nectar but not it’s quality
This shows which differing quality?
Infinite- Human language can convey infinite set of messages while animal language is limited
( Animal communication) Eg distinguishing symbols of /k/ /t/ etc but not distinct symbols in long hums of bees
What differing quality does this show?
Discrete -Human langauge uses clearly distinguishable symbols while animal symbols are continuous
( Animal communication) Eg a bees dance is the same as it was years ago.
What differing quality does this show?
Modifiable and extendable - Human language changes with time.
( Animal communication) Eg RP English has 44 sounds that join to form many words. This doesn’t exist in a monkeys cry.
What differing quality does this show?
Complexity- Each sentence has its own structural complexity.
( Animal communication) Eg The bees skill to dance is inherited and inbuilt. Each human child has to learn language from peers.
What differing quality is this?
Non-instinctive– The process of language acquisition is by humans
( Animal communication) Eg when a cat meows it related to its immediate time and place, not what will happen in two days.
What differing quality does this show?
Displacement- Human language is capable of forming messages related to past, present,future, near, distant ie Multidimensional setting.
( Animal communication) Displacement enables humans to talk even of ___ and enables creation of ___
Imaginary things, fiction
( Vocal ) Language is primarily speech from ___symbols
Oral-auditory
( Vocal ) A speaker produces a string of ___ conveyed through air to the listener, who through their ___ recieves sound waves and conveys these to the ___ to interpret the symbols.
Oral sounds , hearing organs, Brain
( Vocal) in the beginning, language must’ve been vocal sounds only.Writing came later as a __ of the sounds Eg Letter k to represent /k/ sound
Graphic representation
( Vocal) A child too learns to speak first. The total quantum of speech is
___ than the total quantum of writing.
Larger
( Vocal) What is the one advantage writing has over speech? How has this advantage changed in modern times?
1) Writing can be preserved in books. 2) But in modern times with invention of cassette and phone to record speech, primacy of speech is again seen.
Each sentence has a structure, made by the brain. The brain can produce infinite and creative sentences from the limited set of sounds and symbols in a language.
This property is called?
Productivity
( System of Systems) Language is not ____, it is ordered
Chaotic
( System of Systems) Language systems are at 2 levels, which?
Phonological and syntactical
( System of systems) at phonological level some sounds of a langauge have a fixed combination to form ___, and at syntactical level words combine to form ___ according to the grammar framework.
Words, sentences
( System of systems) Thus langauge is a system of systems as it operates at multiple levels. This property is also called __
Duality
( Means Of Communication) One person can communicate to another person as they share a common ___.
Code
( Means of communication) Many systems of communication ie Maps, smiles etc depend on langauge. It controls a person’s ____. On a group level it carries civilization as ___ is carried through langauge.
Activity, human philosophy is carried
( Means of communication) as language is present in all human activities we are called ___(talking animals).
Homo loquens
( Means of communication) Human language permits a speaker to be a listener and vice versa without impairing functioning. This property is?
Reciprocity
( Social Behaviour) A human child learns to speak the language of the linguistic community they’re placed in Eg?
Chinese infant in Indian family
( Social Behaviour) Social behaviour through language allows ___ in culture.
Participation
Characteristics of LANGAUGE: how many points?
8
