Linguistics

Linguistics

The scientific study of (human) language

What is language?

an arbitrary, complex, and dynamic system of conventional symbols/signs used in various modes for thought/communication

Language high points

• rule governed

• includes variability and change

• described by 5 linguistic parameters

• ONE component of communication

the 5 linguistic parameters of language

• Phonology

• Morphology

• Syntax

• Semantics

• Pragmatics

Communiction

Any act in which info is given to/received from another person concerning that person’s needs, desires, perceptions, knowledge, or affective states

Communication high points:

• Intentional or unintentional

• May involve conventional or unconventional signals

• Linguistic or nonlinguistic

• May be spoken or via other modes

Divisions of Communication Chart

*just for visuals*

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Linguistics gives tools to: (4)

• Critically consider/understand language and linguistic research

• Communicate effectively orally and in writing

• Describe what is typical

• Build your own metalinguistic awareness

Linguistics gives skills to… (5)

• Determine difference vs. disorder

• Discriminate between impairments in communication, language, and speech

• Recognize and define patterns in disordered language

• Write goals

• Develop treatment plans (e.g., habilitation vs. rehabilitation

3 Types of Disorders

Communication

Speech

Language

Communication disorder

impairment in the ability to receive, send, process, and comprehend concepts including verbal, nonverbal, and graphic symbol systems

Speech Disorder

Oral, verbal communication that is so different from the norm that it is noticeable or interferes with communication

Speech Disorder Examples

Articulation, fluency, and voice disorders

Language Disorder

impaired comprehension and/or use of spoken, written, and/or other symbol systems

Language Disorder Examples

Phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, and pragmatics

Phonemes

the distinct sounds within the sound system of a language

Morphemes

"words”

meaningful units

phonemes are combined into these

Syntax

Morphemes are combined into phrases and sentences according to grammatical rules

Semantics

Meaning that is ascribed to these words/phrases/sentences

Pragmatics

How meaning is impacted by the communicative context

Linguistic knowledge is…

knowledge of the sound system

knowledge of words

knowledge of linguistic creativity

Knowledge of Language in Context (Pragmatics)

Knowledge of sound system

Knowing what sounds (or signs) are in the language and what sounds (or signs) are not

• Phonology (how speech sounds function as a part of the grammar)

• Phonetics (how speech sounds are produced and perceived)

Knowledge of Words

Knowing how to sequence a word together by combing sounds (morphology)

Knowing meaning (semantics)

The relationship between speech sounds and the meanings they represent is, for the most part, an arbitrary one

Knowledge of linguistic creativity

How to combine words to form phrases, sentences, paragraphs (syntax)

Knowledge of grammar = rules of the language

• He climbed a tree. (correct)

• What are drinking and go home? (wrong)

• I expect to arrive next week. (correct)

• What he though was want a sports car in bottom green? (wrong)

Knowledge of Language in Context (Pragmatics)

linguistic context

physical context

cultural context

Linguistic competence

knowledge of words and grammar

linguistic performance

knowledge in actual speech and production

(application-based)

What is grammar?

Shared knowledge of how words can be put together to make clauses, phrases, and sentences within a particular language

• Grammar is what makes it possible to communicate through language

• Descriptive grammar

• Prescriptive grammar

descriptive grammar

Tells you how you do speak

• Describes the rules

Prescriptive grammar

There is only one “correct” form of using a language

• Prescribes the rules of grammar (how you ”should” speak)

• how it is taught in schools

ALL languages and dialects…

are rule governed AND have grammar

T/F: Linguistically, prestige or standard dialects do not have superior grammars

TRUE

What makes (human) language different from animal communication?

Discreetness

Displacement

Productivity

Arbitrariness

Discreetness

Language can be broken down into meaningfully distinct units (e.g., phonemes, morphemes) that are combined according to grammatical rules

Displacement

Capacity to talk (or sign, type, etc.) messages that are unrelated to here and now

Productivity

It is possible to produce – and understand – an infinite number of unique utterances

Arbitrariness

The vast majority of linguistic representations are unrelated to their linguistic meaning

Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis

“ …language is not merely the reproducing instrument for voicing ideas but rather is itself the shaper of ideas, the program and guide for the individual’s mental activity, for his analysis of impressions, for his synthesis of his mental stock in trade…”

Linguistic Determinism

The language we speak determines how we perceive and think about the world

• “Sobremesa” example (we do it, but don’t have a word for it in English)

Linguistic Relativism

Languages differ in the categories they encode and therefore speakers of different languages think about the world in different ways

Ex) Color perception