#2 What is language

Summary

This presentation explores the linguist's definition of 'language,' distinguishing between the human ability to use languages and specific languages themselves. It emphasizes the infinite expressivity of language with finite symbols and arbitrary rules, contrasting with systems like Morse code and bee communication, which lack this depth. The talk clarifies misconceptions, such as the necessity of written form for a language, and highlights linguists' focus on describing actual language use rather than prescribing it, valuing all forms of communication equally.

Takeaways

• 😀 The term 'language' in linguistics refers to either the human ability to use particular languages or the specific languages themselves.
• 🧠 Language is considered a general cognitive ability that is stored and processed in the brain.
• 🌐 Language encompasses both spoken and signed forms, like ASL (American Sign Language), and is not limited to written forms.
• 🔄 Languages have the capacity for infinite expression using a finite set of symbols or signs, which can be combined in various ways.
• 📐 The rules governing language are arbitrary and vary between different languages, such as the order of adjectives and nouns.
• 🌟 Language is not the same as other forms of communication, like Morse code or bee communication, which lack the ability to express an infinite range of ideas.
• 📚 Written language is a relatively recent development in human history, with spoken language predating it by thousands of years.
• 🐬 While dolphins can communicate complex ideas, their communication system does not meet the criteria for being classified as a language.
• 📝 Linguists are interested in describing how language is actually used by native speakers, rather than prescribing how it should be used.
• 👵🏻 Dialects and regional variations are equally complex and rule-governed as standardized forms of language, and are of interest to linguists.
• 📖 The rules written in grammar books often reflect the language of those with social prestige rather than the full range of language use in a community.

Q & A

What do linguists mean by the term 'language'?

Linguists define 'language' as either the human ability to use particular languages or the particular languages themselves. It involves the capacity to manipulate symbols according to rules to convey meaning.

What is the difference between 'good' and 'bad' language in the context of linguistics?

In linguistics, 'good' or 'bad' language does not refer to the presence of curse words but rather to the proficiency in using the language's rules and symbols effectively to communicate.

Why do languages have an infinite number of things that can be said despite having a finite number of elements or symbols?

Languages can express an infinite number of ideas because they allow for the combination of a finite set of symbols (words or signs) in various ways, following a set of rules, thus enabling the creation of new utterances and meanings.

How are the rules of language arbitrary, and why is this important to understand?

The rules of language are arbitrary because they are not based on logic or mathematics but are instead a result of social conventions. This means that the same idea can be expressed differently in various languages, and understanding this arbitrariness helps to appreciate the diversity of linguistic structures.

Why is Morse code not considered a language according to the script?

Morse code is not considered a language because it is a system of dots and dashes representing letters, numbers, and punctuation marks, but it does not have the capacity to express an infinite number of ideas as it lacks the complexity and rule systems of natural languages.

How do bees communicate, and why is this not classified as a language?

Bees communicate by moving their bodies to indicate the location, distance, and amount of nectar. However, this form of communication is not classified as a language because it does not allow for the expression of an infinite number of ideas or the use of arbitrary rules with a finite set of symbols.

What is the significance of written language in the context of linguistics?

Written language is a representation of spoken language but is not a prerequisite for a system to be considered a language. Many languages have existed and thrived without a written form, and the development of writing systems is a relatively recent phenomenon in the history of human communication.

Why might dolphin communication be fascinating but not necessarily a language?

Dolphin communication is fascinating because they can convey a large number of ideas to one another. However, it might not be classified as a language because it does not seem to use a finite set of terms or symbols with an arbitrary rule system to express an infinite number of ideas, as human languages do.

How do linguists approach the study of language, and what are they interested in?

Linguists are interested in describing how people actually use language, rather than prescribing how they should. They focus on the rules and patterns that govern language as used by native speakers, regardless of whether these rules are written down in textbooks or not.

What is the importance of understanding the native user's language in the context of learning a new language, such as ASL?

Understanding the native user's language is crucial because it provides insight into the actual usage and rules of the language as spoken in its natural context. This allows learners to emulate native speakers accurately and gain a deeper understanding of the language's structure and usage.

Why do linguists emphasize that the rules of language are not just those found in textbooks?

Linguists emphasize this because the rules found in textbooks often represent a specific dialect or variety of a language, usually that of the educated or elite classes. These rules may not reflect the full range of linguistic diversity and do not capture the complexity and richness of language as used by all speakers.