UNIT 1: LANGUAGE AND COMMUNICATION, LESSON 1: THE NATURE OF LANGUAGE, Part 1

Summary

This video script introduces a course on 'Purposeful Communication Using English in a Multilingual Context.' It covers the nature of language, types of communication, and communication processes. The script emphasizes the unique human capacity for complex language use, distinguishing it from animal communication. It defines language components such as phonology, syntax, pragmatics, morphology, and semantics, highlighting language's role in social interaction and thought. The importance of language acquisition and the concept of a speech community are also discussed, aiming to deepen understanding of linguistics and communication.

Takeaways

• 📚 The course focuses on 'Purposeful Communication using English in a Multilingual Context', emphasizing the importance of understanding language and communication in various settings.
• 🎯 The first unit is divided into three lessons: the nature of language, types of communication, and the communication processes, principles, and ethics.
• 🤔 The instructor prompts students to define language in their own words and discuss its importance and use, encouraging personal reflection and engagement.
• 📝 The definition of language by Medrano and Martin highlights its creation alongside human life, emphasizing the unique human capacity for complex language use in communication.
• 🗣️ Interpersonal communication is identified as the primary form of language use, distinguishing human language from animal communication which lacks the same structured system.
• 🔍 Language is characterized by having a system of rules (grammar), phonology (study of speech sounds), syntax (arrangement of words), pragmatics (practical use in social interaction), morphology (structure and form of words), and semantics (study of meaning).
• 🌐 Language serves as a medium for thought and a tool for social interaction, underlining its role in connecting individuals within a community.
• 👥 A 'speech community' is defined as a group of people who share a common language or dialect and can understand each other, which is central to language acquisition.
• 👶 Language acquisition is portrayed as a natural process where humans develop the ability to perceive, comprehend, and use language for communication, suggesting an innate capacity for language learning.
• 📖 The script provides a comprehensive overview of language components and encourages active participation from students, fostering a deeper understanding of communication in a multilingual world.
• 📝 The importance of following a specific format when posting answers is emphasized, indicating the structured approach the course takes towards student engagement and assessment.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the video script?

The main topic of the video script is 'Purposive Communication Using English in a Multilingual Context', focusing on the nature of language, types of communication, and communication processes, principles, and ethics.

What are the three lessons that compose the unit on language and communication?

The three lessons are: Lesson one - The Nature of Language, Lesson two - The Types of Communication, and Lesson three - The Communication Processes, Principles, and Ethics.

What is the first learning outcome for Lesson One on the nature of language?

The first learning outcome is to demonstrate an understanding of the key concepts in language and communication.

How does the instructor ask students to respond to the question about the definition of language?

The instructor asks students to provide their own perspective on what language is, its importance, and why we use it, in one to two sentences, and to post their answer in the comment section within two days.

According to Medrano and Martin, what is language?

Language, according to Medrano and Martin, is a wonderful and dynamic human capacity created alongside human life, which allows humans to use complex language for communication, constructing and maintaining our social world.

What is interpersonal communication?

Interpersonal communication is the act of having a conversation with another person, either virtually or in person, which is how we learn and use language.

Why is it said that only humans are capable of producing language?

Only humans are capable of producing language because unlike animal communication, humans can organize sounds into a meaningful system with rules, creating complex language structures.

What are the five key aspects of language according to linguists?

The five key aspects are phonology (study of speech sounds), syntax (arrangement of words in sentences), pragmatics (practical use of language in social interaction), morphology (study of structure and form of words), and semantics (study of meaning).

What does the term 'conventional way' refer to in the context of language?

'Conventional way' refers to what is generally expected by people based on what is common at a specific time in a specific culture.

What is a speech community?

A speech community is a group of people who use language and can understand each other, sharing the same set of rules in the language system.

What is language acquisition?

Language acquisition is the process by which humans gain the ability to perceive, comprehend, and produce language, suggesting an innate capacity to learn language that is present from birth.

Outlines

00:00

📘 Introduction to Purposive Communication

The script opens with a warm welcome and introduction to the topic of 'Purposive Communication using English in a Multilingual Context.' It outlines the structure of the unit, which is divided into three lessons focusing on the nature of language, types of communication, and communication processes, principles, and ethics. The instructor sets the learning outcomes for the first lesson and encourages students to share their perspectives on language in the comment section within a two-day timeframe. The importance of language in communication and its distinction from animal communication is highlighted, emphasizing that language is a uniquely human capacity for complex expression and interpersonal interaction.

05:07

🔍 Defining Language and its Distinction from Animal Communication

This paragraph delves into the definition of language as presented by Madronio and Martin, describing it as a dynamic human capacity that emerged with human life itself. It contrasts human language with animal communication, noting that while animals can signal their emotions, only humans can produce a complex system of language. The paragraph also introduces the concept of interpersonal communication as a primary form of language use, allowing for the exchange of ideas and emotions. The instructor emphasizes the uniqueness of human language production and its role in constructing and maintaining our social world.

10:08

📚 Essential Components of Language

The script continues by breaking down the essential components that constitute a language, as agreed upon by linguists. It discusses the system of rules or grammar, phonology which is the organization of speech sounds, syntax which arranges words in sentences, pragmatics which is the practical use of language in social interaction, morphology which studies the structure and form of words, and semantics which is the study of meaning. Each component is crucial for understanding how language functions as a complex and structured system of communication.

15:08

🗣️ Language as a System of Communication

This paragraph explores the concept of language as a system of communication, highlighting its spoken and written forms. It emphasizes the conventional nature of language, which is based on what is generally expected within a specific culture and time. The script also touches on the idea of a speech community, where people share a common language or dialect and can understand each other. The concept of language acquisition is introduced, describing it as the process by which humans naturally learn to perceive, comprehend, and use language for communication, suggesting an innate capacity for language learning.

Keywords

💡Language

Language is defined in the script as a dynamic human capacity that enables complex communication far beyond any other species. It is central to the video's theme, illustrating how language is used for interpersonal communication and constructing our social world. The script uses language to explore various aspects such as phonology, syntax, and pragmatics, emphasizing its role in expressing thoughts, emotions, and facilitating social interaction.

💡Communication

Communication is the process of sharing information or ideas, and it is highlighted in the script as an essential function of language. It is related to the video's theme by discussing different types and processes of communication, including interpersonal communication which is exemplified by the script's mention of having conversations virtually or personally.

💡Interpersonal Communication

Interpersonal communication is a specific type of communication that occurs between people, either in person or virtually. The script emphasizes its importance in language learning and social interaction, using it to illustrate how humans connect and share information, as seen in the example of sharing food desires through various linguistic expressions.

💡Phonology

Phonology is the study of how sounds are organized and used in a language. In the script, it is presented as a key component of language, explaining the systematic organization of speech sounds. It is essential for understanding the structure of language and how it varies across different languages.

💡Syntax

Syntax refers to the arrangement of words and phrases to create well-formed sentences in a language. The script explains it as the study of sentences and the rules they obey, illustrating how syntax governs the structure of language and contributes to its complexity.

💡Pragmatics

Pragmatics is the practical use of language in social contexts, focusing on how language is used to communicate effectively. The script discusses pragmatics in terms of social interaction and the relationship between the sender and receiver of a message, emphasizing its role in understanding the intent behind language use.

💡Morphology

Morphology is the study of the structure and form of words, including how prefixes, suffixes, and base words combine to create meaning. The script uses morphology to explain the composition of words and the concept of morphemes as the smallest meaningful units of language.

💡Semantics

Semantics is the study of meaning in language, including references and truth conditions. The script introduces semantics as a fundamental aspect of language that deals with the interpretation of meaning, which is crucial for effective communication and understanding.

💡Speech Community

A speech community is a group of people who share a common language or dialect and can understand each other. The script uses this concept to illustrate how language unifies people and facilitates communication within a specific cultural or social group, as demonstrated by the example of misunderstanding between speakers of different languages.

💡Language Acquisition

Language acquisition is the process by which humans develop the ability to perceive, comprehend, and use language. The script discusses this as a natural process that occurs as people grow up in a community, highlighting its significance in the development of linguistic skills and the innate capacity humans have to learn language.

💡Linguist and Linguistics

A linguist is a person who studies language, while linguistics is the scientific study of language itself. The script clarifies the distinction between the two, emphasizing the importance of linguistics in understanding the structure, function, and evolution of language, and the role of linguists in this academic field.

Highlights

Welcome to the subject 'Purposive Communication using English in Multilingual Context'.

Unit 1 covers three lessons: the nature of language, types of communication, and communication processes, principles, and ethics.

Learning outcomes for Lesson 1 include understanding key concepts in language and communication and relating personal experiences to the lesson.

Define language as a dynamic human capacity for complex communication, distinguishing it from animal communication.

Interpersonal communication is the primary form of language use, involving conversation with others, either virtually or in person.

Animals can communicate emotions through sounds, but only humans can produce language.

Language is commonly defined as a means of communication, but this definition must distinguish human language from animal communication methods.

A language must have a system of rules (grammar), phonology, syntax, pragmatics, morphology, and semantics to be considered a language.

Phonology is the study of speech sounds in a language, focusing on their organization and use.

Syntax involves the arrangement of words in sentences and phrases, following grammatical rules.

Pragmatics is the practical use of language in social interaction, considering the relationship between the sender and receiver.

Morphology examines the structure and form of words, including prefixes, suffixes, and base words.

Semantics is the study of meaning, references, and truth in language.

Language is a system of communication through spoken or written words, structured conventionally within a specific culture.

Language serves as a medium for thought and facilitates social interaction within a community.

A speech community is a group of people who share a common language or dialect and can understand each other.

Language acquisition is the process by which humans gain the ability to perceive, comprehend, and use language for communication.

We are born with an innate capacity to learn language, which is evident in the process of language acquisition.

Transcripts

right

hello good day everyone I hope

everything is going well with you and I

welcome you all to our subject purposive

communication using English in

multilingual context

I hope that you are in a comfortable

seat whatever you are watching this

pre-recorded video

and without further Ado let's start with

our lessons for unit 1 language and

communication

so this unit is composed of three

lessons and these are the following

lesson one the nature of language lesson

two the types of communication lesson

three the communication processes

principles and ethics okay before we

start let's have first our learning

outcomes for lesson one nature of

language

our first learning outcome is to

demonstrate an understanding of the klbs

in the language and communication and

our last learning outcome is to relate

your personal experiences with the input

provided okay next

to start with our lesson I have a

question on board stated what is

language

so in one to two sentences

I want you to provide your own

perspective on what is language the

importance of language and why do we use

language and post your answer on the

comment section within two days after I

posted this pre-recorded video and

posting your answer beyond that day then

your answer your answer will be

considered as void I hope that's clear

okay

let's define Language according to the

book of madronio and Martin

and by the way please follow this format

stay tuned full name first and followed

by your answer

okay again this follow this format that

following then automatic no score

simple okay let's start let's define a

language according to Medrano and Martin

so what is language

together with the creation of human life

is the creation of a wonderful and

dynamic human capacity and that is

language

so it means that humans have the

capacity to use

um complex language

far more than any other species on Earth

and we cooperate with each other

to use language for communication

because language is often used to

communicate about and even construct and

maintain our social world but the

question is

how do we actually use it

and to be sure

some of us use it to write Diaries and

poetries but the primary form of

language use

is interpersonal communication I know

that you have acknowledged what is

interpersonal communication and if you

say and interpersonal communication

interpersonal communication

it is the way of

um having a conversation with the other

person virtually or personally and

that's how we learn language and that's

how he is it okay

and

animals are said to be able to

communicate with each other

the whales can sing The Wolves can howl

the dogs can bark and the birds can

chirp

and

wait and the sounds that these creatures

produce often reflect the state of their

emotions while

it may be true that animals communicate

but remember only human being are

capable of producing language

yes it is true that animals can

communicate but they are not capable of

producing language

only human can produce a language

and if you say communicate

foreign

[Laughter]

and again

animals are said to be able to

communicate with each other because of

uh

uh the state of their emotions only okay

because of the state of their emotions

to better understand let's proceed with

our next slide

language is commonly defined as a means

of communication

but if it is defined so then there will

be no difference between human

communication and animal communication

their reason is

both animals and human do have means to

communicate okay

always

like means on how to communicate

okay I hope that's clear

like for example

a monkey may be able to signal to its

partner that is sharing food the word

signal oh the signal the monkey will

produce sounds and gestures but will not

be able to organize that sound into a

meaningful system with rules

but on the other hand

human beings are able to communicate

their desire to share food through

several ways that are understandable to

other human beings so um

happen to understand other human beings

like for example a human being they may

other word food a monkey

food

I'm a monkey

next

raise the question want some food

okay

several ways that are understandable to

other human beings on sharing food

another or get or give a statement I'd

like to share this food with you

I'd like to share this food with you

it's possible impossible

again monkey may be able to sing now

to its partner that is sharing food with

the use of their sounds in gestures but

only uh but uh human being

produces like sound and just sure to

share a food or many several ways that

are understandable to other human beings

I hope that's clear

next

what is language example

so linguists agree that

a language can only be called a language

if it has the following

okay if if it has the following someone

is language

first is the system of rule

system of rule or also known as grammar

so a language

following a grammar

next is the phonology what is phonology

phonology is the study of house towns

are organized and used in a natural

language

so in short um phonology it is the study

of speech sounds again it is the study

of speech sounds of a language or

languages and the term also phonology it

refers to the sound or science system of

any particular language variety and that

is phonology

next next aspect is the syntax

syntax error the initial about

mathematics

so syntax is the arrangement of words in

sentences classes and phrases so in

short

uh the syntax is the study of motto uh

study of sentences and phrases and the

rules of grammar that sentences obey so

the system of rule of the syntax okay

okay

Arrangement the structure of words into

sentences in process and in phrases okay

again

next we have pragmatics what is

pragmatics from the word bra it's

practical the Practical use of language

or how human beings evaluate the

language

utilized in social interaction as well

as the relationship between the uh

Historia

the sender and the receiver and that is

pragmatics

next we have morphology

so what is morphology

morphology is the study of structure and

form of words so it is the study of

words and their parts and that is

morphology so in morphology

more films so I'm more famous

prefixes suffixes and base words and

more themes uh and more films defined as

the smallest uh meaningful units of

meaning and that is morpheme and

morphology is the structure and form of

words

morphology and morpheme see morphology

and structure and form of Words

which defined as the smallest meaningful

units of meaning I hope that's clear and

I hope confusion about morphology and

morphe

last aspect we have the semantics so

what is semantics

oh semantics is the study of meaning

references a meaning and of course a

truth

so these are the following aspects

according to linguists language

phonology syntax pragmatics morphology

and semantics and by the way linguist is

someone who studies language and

Linguistics is the study of language can

I don't be confused about linguist and

Linguistics again linguist is someone

who studies language why Linguistics is

a study of

hey I hope that's clear

next

language the method of human

communication it's either spoken or

written consisting of the use of words

in a structured and conventional way and

if you say conventional way

um it refers to what is generally

expected by People based on what is

common at a specific time in a specific

culture and that is conventional way

conventional way now and language

next language is a system of words or

science that people used to express

thoughts and feelings to each other

so if we say a system of words or sign

so it refers to the letters the hand

gestures and body gestures to express

thoughts and feelings to each other

system of words

next

like for example uh like for example

and B

um and be aware if we say about what is

sex is uh sex

biological so it's male or female if you

say gender it's masculine and feminine

so

um

application form

male or female

feminine or masculine

okay

it's because it's biological so male or

female

next language is a system of

communication it is a medium for thought

and it's social interaction so

a system of communication

language Buddha is a medium for thought

and language is a social interaction so

it means that it is where you are having

a social interaction to the people that

surrounds you

language in terms of social interaction

that's

speech give me

from the word itself

community

okay let's find out

so speech Community

when people use language and they can

understand each other then they belong

to the same speech Community

like for example the word and

if I'm not mistaken it is one of the

good one in words

um

and if I talk to you or like for example

if I talk to my friend Japanese and

if he doesn't know what I mean uh what I

am talking or asking about

a Japanese friend huh

[Music]

foreign

they can't understand each other and

they belong to speak to the same speech

community

language

okay I hope that's clear like for

example

um they can understand each other

because in their speech Community people

can share the same set of rules in the

language system Japanese friend

voila

same rules in terms of language systems

I considered my friend Japan I

considered my friend a Japanese

delicious

next

it is a group of people sharing a Common

Language or dialect and that is a speech

Community okay

belong or she belongs to your speech

Community

understand each other

next we have B language acquisition

so while growing up

people acquire the languages used by

those in the community

and this is the process of language

learning

so language learning it is the process

by which humans acquire the capacity to

perceive and comprehend language in

order or in other words

to gain the ability to be aware of

language and to understand it and that

is language acquisition as well as to

produce and use words and sentences to

communicate we are learning language we

are acquiring uh more languages

so in short a language accusation

suggests that we are

we are born with something in our genes

that allows us to learn language

like for example

the Spanish expression of uh uh

semi-spanish expression bit wait