Linguistic Anthropology Week Two

How Does Language Work?

ANTH 1021

Week 9

Dr. T Granadillo

Objectives

• Distinguish human language from other communication systems in terms of design features

Communication vs. Language

• Communication

  • All animals and insects communicate

  • Communication systems:

  • Signals have fixed, regular meanings

  • Messages have a purpose

  • Example: Dance of the honeybee

• Language

  • Only humans have language

  • Differentiation:

  • The “dance” of the honeybee is not classified as language

Sign Languages

• Inclusion of Sign Languages

  • Have been excluded from language studies until recently

  • Sign languages are full-fledged languages.

  • Characteristics of sign languages:

    • Diversity

    • Variation

    • All functions of a language

  • Need to adapt some language features for sign languages

  • Discussion points: Which features? How?

  • Implicit bias towards oral language in traditional views of language

Some Design Features of Language

• Design features: Properties or defining characteristics of a language

  • Vocal-auditory channel

  • Duality of Patterning

  • Productivity

  • Displacement

  • Reflexivity

  • Interchangeability

  • Arbitrariness

  • Cultural transmission

  • Metaphor

  • Multilingualism

  • Prevarication

Language is a System of Signs

• Key Concept: Language operates as a system of signs

  • Arbitrary relationship between sounds and concepts:

  • Example representations:

    • English: [k i]

    • French: [k i]

    • Japanese: [k i]

Linguistic Sign

• Definition: A linguistic sign is the relationship between the concept (signified) and the sound (signifier)

  • Language combines signs in meaningful ways through various levels of structure:

  • Syntax: The arrangement of words and phrases to create well-formed sentences

  • Morphology: The structure of words and the rules for word formation

  • Phonology: The study of the sound system of languages

  • Pragmatics: The study of how context influences the interpretation of meaning

Language Used in Combination with Other Symbol Systems

• Identification of Social Groups: Defined through different symbol systems, which include:

  • Clothes

  • Hairstyles

  • Spatial arrangement

  • Language usage

• Example Equations:

  • $2x + 4 = x - 2$

  • $2x + y = x + 2$

  • $2x = x + 2 - y$

Functions of Language

• Main Functions: Identify forms of non-verbal communication and paralanguage and different functions of language

  • Functions of language documented include:

  • Referential: Describing facts or conveying information

  • Stylistic: The choice of words to convey tone

  • Expressive: Expressing feelings or emotions

  • Conative: Aiming to provoke action from the listener

  • Poetic: Focus on aesthetics of language

  • Phatic: Ensuring the channel remains open, e.g., small talk

  • Metalinguistic: Discussing or clarifying the language itself

Non-Verbal Communication

• Definition: Human language combines verbal and non-verbal communication elements

• Components of Non-Verbal Communication:

  • Gestures

  • Posture and body movement

  • Facial expressions

  • Gaze

• Paralanguage: Features of how speech is delivered, including:

  • Volume

  • Speed

  • Tone of voice

  • Quality

  • Pitch

Whistle Languages

• Description: Dozens of whistle languages exist primarily in mountainous regions

• Whistled language is a form of communication that converts spoken language into whistles, allowing messages to be transmitted over long distances, often in mountainous or forested regions.

  • Notable examples include:

  • Kuskoy, Turkey

  • La Gomera Island, Canary Islands

  • Evia Island, Greece

  • Oaxaca, Mexico

Conclusions

• Summary:

  • Language is a sophisticated system of signs that integrates with various other sign systems.

  • Human language uniquely combines verbal/signed transmission with non-verbal communication forms.

  • Humans are distinguished by our linguistic capabilities and the diversities in language use.