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Language Features and Myths

Language Features and Myths. Xiaofei Lu APLNG 200 August 31, 2009. Features of communication systems. Mode of communication Semanticity Pragmatic function Broadcast transmission and directional reception Rapid fading. 2. Features of communication systems. Interchangeability

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Language Features and Myths

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  1. Language Features and Myths Xiaofei Lu APLNG 200 August 31, 2009

  2. Features of communication systems Mode of communication Semanticity Pragmatic function Broadcast transmission and directional reception Rapid fading 2

  3. Features of communication systems Interchangeability Complete feedback Specialization Arbitrariness 3

  4. Features of communication systems Discreteness Cultural transmission Prevarication Learnability 4

  5. Features of communication systems Duality of patterning Reflexiveness Displacement Productivity 5

  6. Discussion Which features do the traffic light and bee dance systems possess respectively? Which features are shared among all communication systems? Which features are unique to human language? What happens if any of the features is missing from language (e.g., arbitrariness)? 6

  7. Discussion Is there any non-arbitrary aspect in human language? Consider the following words: Slack, slouch, sludge, slime, slosh, slash, sloppy, slut, slang, sly, sloth, slaver, slog, slap, slum Can you find other groups of words like this? What does this suggest to you? 7

  8. Why do you study language? A window for understanding a fundamental aspect of what it is to be a human A reflection of individual identify, and social and cultural aspects of society Practical applications: language learning and teaching, human-computer interaction, speech therapy 8

  9. Knowing a language Linguistic competence and linguistic performance What do you know when you know a language? How is competence stored? Lexicon and mental grammar 9

  10. Descriptive vs. prescriptive grammar Descriptive grammar Some English speakers use double negatives for negation Prescriptive grammar Do not end a sentence with a preposition Do not use double negative What is taught in school? What do you believe in? What should linguists use? 10

  11. Truths and misconceptions about language Unwritten languages are primitive African American Vernacular English lacks grammar It’s easier to learn Chinese if your ancestry is Chinese Some languages are intrinsically harder to learn than others The language or dialect you speak affects whether you distinguish between certain sounds Some dialects of English are inferior to others 11

  12. Truths and misconceptions about language There is an adjective that means ‘hungry’ in every language Some languages put verbs at the end of the sentence Every language has a way to mark the past tense of verbs Some languages have a special verb tense used for gossip and hearsay Native Americans speak different dialects of the Native American language 12

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