Basic ideas and Definitions

Subject and Materials

• Course Objectives: Introduce students to the forms and functions of human language and communication.

• Topics Included:

  • Basic concepts of language

  • History of language families

  • First and second language acquisition

  • Language and writing

  • Translation and interpretation

  • Animal communication

Course Topics Overview

1. Basic ideas and concepts

2. Definition of language

3. Human language vs. animal communication

4. Language families

5. Language processing in the brain

6. First language acquisition processes

7. Acquisition of additional languages

8. Language dynamics in multilingual communities

9. Relationship between language and writing

10. Translation processes

Basic Ideas and Concepts

• Core Linguistic Areas:

  • Phonology: study of sound systems

  • Morphology: structure of words

  • Syntax: sentence structure

  • Semantics: meaning of words and sentences

  • Sociolinguistics: language in its social context

  • Neurolinguistics: relationship between language and the brain

Definition of Language

• Focus Areas:

  • Phonemes and their representation on a phonetic chart

  • Morphemes and their functions

  • Syntax as a structural component

  • Sociolinguistic aspects

  • Examination of how human languages differ from animal communication

  • Observational studies with various animals (e.g., ants, bees, parrots)

Human Language vs. Animal Communication

• Key Features of Human Language:

  • Infinite creation of messages

  • Displacement: ability to communicate about things not present

  • Creative use of language

• Animal Communication:

  • Examples: ants, bees, apes, dolphins

• Communication Process:

  • Encoding, decoding, and interpretation of messages with feedback loops included.

Language Families

• Exploration of Language Origins:

  • Coincidental, onomatopoeic, and borrowed words

  • Genetic relationships among languages, illustrated by Sir William Jones’ genealogical tree concept.

  • Common features include phonology, morphology, and syntax.

  • Major language families:

    • Indo-European

    • Sino-Tibetan

    • Additional families discussed (6 total)

  • Considerations for endangered languages and their future usage.

Language Family Example: Indo-European

• Subfamilies Include:

  • Slavic: Lithuanian, Latvian, Polish, etc.

  • Germanic: English, German, Dutch, etc.

  • Indo-Iranian: Hindi, Persian, etc.

• Visual representation of the language tree emphasizing relationships.

Language in the Brain

• Focus on Brain Damage and Speech:

  • Understanding Aphasia:

    • Broca’s Aphasia: typically non-fluent

    • Wernicke’s Aphasia: typically fluent

• Includes case studies for better understanding.

Acquiring a First Language

• Universal Process for Children:

  • How do children learn languages?

  • Review of four major theories:

    • Connectionist Theory

    • Social Interaction Theory

    • Innateness Hypothesis

    • Active Construction of a Grammar Theory

Acquiring Additional Languages

• Second Language Acquisition (SLA):

  • Motivations for learning foreign languages: advancement, immigration, tourism.

  • Considerations of motivation: integrative vs. instrumental.

  • Effects of teaching methods and teacher's role.

Language in Multilingual Communities

• Key Topics:

  • Code Switching: using two or more languages in conversation for various motivations.

  • Diglossia: different languages or dialects used for different societal functions.

  • Example: French/English for education vs. tribal languages at home and in marketplaces.

Language & Writing

• Differences Between Writing and Speech:

  • Writing as a cultural invention that requires learning.

  • Preservation of thoughts across space and time, allowing repeated sharing.

Translating Language

• Translation vs. Interpretation:

  • Translation: focuses on written content; requires solid reading comprehension, transfer, and production skills.

  • Interpretation: deals with spoken language in real-time; requires listening and speaking proficiency, with simultaneous and consecutive types.

• Career Opportunities: available in community, law, business, conference, and escort services.