What is language? - A brief definition from the perspective of linguistics

Summary

This video delves into the definition of language, emphasizing its role as a system of signs and rules for communication. Language is not just about speaking or idiomatic expression, but involves arbitrary pairings of form and meaning, which are agreed upon by a speech community. The video explores how these signs and their meanings are established through conventions and the importance of syntactic rules that govern how words combine to create meaning. The speaker invites viewers to explore further topics related to language and syntax in additional videos.

Takeaways

• 😀 Language is a broad term that encompasses multiple definitions.
• 😀 Language can be understood as the ability to speak, a system of signs, and a set of rules.
• 😀 The definition of language is too large to be limited to just one answer.
• 😀 A sign in a language has two components: a form (the word or sound) and a meaning (what it represents).
• 😀 The form and meaning of a sign are arbitrary; the relationship is agreed upon by the speech community.
• 😀 The specific example of the word 'cow' shows how the form (sound) and meaning (milk-producing mammal) are arbitrarily coupled.
• 😀 Language is not just about individual words but also about how these words are arranged into sentences.
• 😀 Syntax, or the rules for sentence structure, plays a key role in how language communicates meaning.
• 😀 Once a form-meaning coupling is established, it becomes a convention within the language community.
• 😀 The system of signs in a language is not fixed—any alternative form-meaning coupling could be used, but conventions maintain clarity.
• 😀 A system of signs combined with syntactic rules allows for increasingly complex relationships and expressions in communication.

Q & A

What is the definition of language according to the video?

The video discusses language as a system of signs and rules used for communication. It emphasizes that language includes the ability to speak, the style or manner of speaking, and the system of signs and rules that govern how these signs are used in a speech community.

Why is it difficult to define language with just one answer?

Language is too broad to be defined with a single answer because it encompasses various aspects such as the ability to speak, the style of speaking, and the system of signs and rules. Each of these components contributes to the overall concept of language.

What does 'system of signs' mean in the context of language?

A 'system of signs' refers to the idea that language consists of signs, each with a specific form and meaning. For example, the word 'cow' is a sign that has both a form (the sound or written word) and a meaning (a milk-producing, ruminating mammal).

Why is the coupling of form and meaning in language arbitrary?

The coupling of form and meaning is arbitrary because there is no inherent connection between the sound or form of a word and its meaning. For example, the word 'cow' could have been replaced with any other arbitrary form, but society has agreed to associate 'cow' with that particular meaning.

How does the arbitrary nature of language affect communication?

The arbitrary nature of language means that communication relies on shared conventions within a speech community. If individuals create their own arbitrary words without agreeing on their meanings, they won't be understood by others in that community.

What role do conventions play in language?

Conventions in language are the agreed-upon associations between forms (sounds or written words) and their meanings. These conventions ensure that members of a speech community can understand each other when using the same signs.

What is syntax, and how is it related to language?

Syntax refers to the system of rules that govern how words are combined to form sentences and more complex structures. It ensures that language is not just a collection of individual words, but that these words are organized into meaningful relationships.

What would happen if language lacked rules for combining words?

Without rules for combining words, language would lack structure, making it difficult or impossible to form coherent sentences and communicate complex ideas. Syntax is essential for making language function in an organized way.

How does the video relate the concept of language to a 'speech community'?

The video highlights that language is a shared system of signs and rules within a speech community. Members of the community must agree on the signs and how they are used to communicate effectively with one another.

How does the video encourage further learning about language?

The video encourages further learning by providing links to additional content, such as videos on syntax and sociolinguistics, and invites viewers to subscribe to the channel to stay updated on future educational content.