The Concept of Language (Noam Chomsky)

Summary

In this classic WTV interview, Professor Noam Chomsky discusses the evolution of language, noting the structural similarities between French and Germanic languages. He emphasizes the complexity and non-random nature of language change over time, influenced by factors like conquest and political shifts. Chomsky also touches on the concept of a 'pure' language as a social construct, the role of slang as a form of innovation, and the importance of pronunciation and intonation in communication. He reflects on the impact of a few words on human emotions and the innate human capacity for language, suggesting that language learning in children is largely influenced by their social environment.

Takeaways

• 🌐 Language evolution is influenced by various factors such as conquest, political changes, and commercial interchanges, leading to shifts in dialect mixtures over time.
• 🏰 French has structural characteristics that make it more similar to Germanic languages compared to other Romance languages, such as the inability to omit the subject in sentences.
• 📚 The concept of a 'national language' is a modern phenomenon linked to nationalism, communication, and education systems, which were not present in earlier times.
• 🔍 Predicting language evolution is extremely complex and involves numerous factors, making it more akin to weather prediction than a deterministic process.
• 🌱 Children naturally acquire the language of their peers, which is often different from the language spoken at home, highlighting the social aspect of language learning.
• 🎓 The 'literary standard' taught in schools often differs from colloquial speech and includes some artificial constructs that do not naturally occur in human language.
• 🎨 Language, including slang, is a form of human creativity and innovation, much like fashion, and is not typically taught but rather emerges organically within social groups.
• 🏫 The role of parents in language development is limited; children tend to adopt the language of their cultural and social environment rather than being shaped solely by parental input.
• 🤔 The human capacity for language is deeply rooted in our nature, similar to our physical characteristics, and is not something that can be taught but rather something we grow into.
• 📖 The study of language, including its structure, development, and social aspects, provides insights into the workings of the human mind and our innate capabilities.

Q & A

What does Professor Chomsky suggest about the structural differences between French and German?

Professor Chomsky points out that while French is generally considered a Romance language, it shares several structural features with Germanic languages, such as the inability to delete the subject of a sentence, similar to what is found in German.

How does language change over time according to the discussion with Professor Chomsky?

Language change over time is not a uniform process affecting all parts of a language equally. It involves a mixture of dialects that change due to various factors like conquest, political changes, and commercial interchanges, leading to small cumulative changes that can sometimes result in dramatic structural shifts within a few generations.

What is the role of nationalism in the development of a national language as discussed by Professor Chomsky?

Nationalism plays a significant role in the development of a national language by creating a standardized form of communication that is taught and promoted within a country, often associated with the rise of national education systems and communication technologies.

Why is it challenging to predict the future evolution of languages, as mentioned by Professor Chomsky?

Predicting the future evolution of languages is challenging because it involves numerous factors, including social, political, and technological changes, which are complex and often interrelated, making the process more akin to predicting the weather than following a deterministic path.

What is the significance of the concept of 'pure language' as discussed by Professor Chomsky?

The concept of 'pure language' is a sociopolitical construct rather than a linguistic one. It often arises from a desire to preserve and protect a language from perceived external influences, but it is not based on any objective linguistic criteria.

How does the educational system influence the way we perceive and learn language, according to the conversation with Professor Chomsky?

The educational system teaches a standardized version of language, which may differ from the vernacular or dialects spoken at home. This can include artificial constructs that are not naturally occurring in everyday speech but are taught due to their association with prestige or formal communication.

What is the importance of pronunciation and intonation in language comprehension, as highlighted by Professor Chomsky?

Pronunciation and intonation are crucial for language comprehension because they are part of the decoding process that converts auditory input into a format that matches the listener's internal language representations, allowing for understanding even when the words are pronounced differently.

Why does slang exist in language, and what role does it play, as discussed by Professor Chomsky?

Slang exists in language as a form of innovation and creativity, often used by groups, such as teenagers, to differentiate themselves and express their identity. It allows for the constant evolution and enrichment of language.

How does the use of language in the arts differ from everyday use, according to Professor Chomsky?

In the arts, language is used within formal conventions that are humanly created, reflecting aesthetic capacities and providing a framework for creative expression. This differs from everyday use, which is more spontaneous and less constrained by formal rules.

What does Professor Chomsky suggest about the innate capabilities of humans to understand and produce language?

Professor Chomsky suggests that humans have an innate capability to understand and produce language, which is rooted in the structure of the human brain. This capability allows for the rapid acquisition of language, especially in children, and the ability to interpret complex meanings from simple linguistic cues.