Class Notes on Linguistics and ASL Definitions
Class Overview
Instructor mentions that they will be absent for the next two class periods after today.
Each class is divided into three logical areas, with tests scheduled after each section:
First chunk: Basic building blocks of linguistics.
Second chunk: Communication within the deaf community.
Third chunk: Interaction of language within various communities.
Properties of Language
In the beginning, the instructor aims to clarify the definition of language versus communication systems.
Focus on understanding the characteristics that make a communication system a language.
Affirmation that ASL (American Sign Language) is indeed a language, supported by various reasons.
The importance of being able to articulate why ASL is classified as a language when speaking to others.
Defining a Chair (Class Exercise)
Engaging the class in identifying the definition of "chair."
Common understanding includes:
An item for sitting.
Usually has legs and designed primarily for one person.
The discussion leads to clarification about what makes a chair a chair versus similar furniture items like stools or beanbags.
Examples & Challenges with Definitions
Proposed challenges: Is an object without legs still a chair? E.g., a dentist chair, car seat, or a high chair.
Engaging the class in considering why certain suggestions or objects are not categorized as "chairs," prompting deeper consideration of definitions.
The instructor emphasizes that language and definitions can be fluid.
Defining Language
Asking students for definitions of language leads to a broader understanding of its characteristics:
Presence and Evidence: The ability to communicate and convey meaning, differentiating language from mere communication signals.
Communication versus Language: Acknowledges that all language is a communication system but not all communication systems are languages.
Shared Rules: Effective communication involves agreed-upon symbols and meanings.
Introduction to Experimental Methods of Communication
The instructor introduces Morse code as an example of a communication system without language features.
The necessity of shared meanings and rules for successful communication.
Overview of Communication vs. Language Features
Communication Systems: Non-linguistic symbols can exist (e.g., gestures or signals).
Language: Utilizes meaningful symbols and consists of agreed-upon grammatical rules.
Structure of Language
Language features are categorized as:
Interchangeability: Ability to send and receive messages.
Cultural Transmission: Language learning is learned behavior within a cultural context.
Discreteness: Symbols can be broken down into smaller, meaningful units (e.g., sounds, words).
Productivity: New formations of words and sentences can be created.
Evolution: Languages change over time and adapt to the community.
Displacement: Ability to discuss past and future—conceptualizing beyond the immediate present.
Defining ASL as Language
Summary supporting ASL as a language:
It has evolution, discreteness, productivity, and displacement.
It is used in communities and evolves from generation to generation.
It provides a structure for abstract discussions and meanings.
Assignments & Questions Before Closing
Giving students a road map on future assignments, quizzes, and exams.
Encouragement to participate in ASL research and discussions.
The instructor aims to create a community learning environment where students can engage with the content enriched by personal experience and discourse.
Conclusion of Class
Notes regarding future classes and assignments due dates, and encouraging informal study groups among peers.
Open floor for questions regarding class material and assignments.
Class Overview: EASY
The instructor will be absent for the next two class periods, so students should plan accordingly.
Each class period is structured into three main thematic sections, with a test scheduled after the completion of each section to assess understanding:
First chunk: Basic building blocks of linguistics. This section focuses on the fundamental components and principles that make up language, such as phonetics, phonology, morphology, and syntax.
Second chunk: Communication within the deaf community. This delves into the unique aspects of communication, culture, and language systems, particularly ASL, used by deaf individuals.
Third chunk: Interaction of language within various communities. This explores sociolinguistics, examining how language varies and functions differently across diverse social groups and contexts.
Properties of Language
The instructor will begin by differentiating what constitutes a "language" from a general "communication system."
The primary goal is to understand the specific characteristics and criteria that elevate a communication system to the status of a full-fledged language.
It will be affirmed that ASL (American Sign Language) is unequivocally a language, backed by robust linguistic evidence and reasons.
Students should be prepared to explain and articulate why ASL is classified as a language when engaging in discussions with others, rather than just stating it as a fact.
Defining a Chair (Class Exercise)
An interactive class exercise will be conducted to explore the complexities of defining everyday objects, using "chair" as an example.
Common understanding identified by the class often includes:
It is an item specifically designed for sitting.
It typically features legs and is primarily built to accommodate one person.
This discussion will evolve to clarify the nuanced distinctions between a chair and similar items of furniture, such as stools (often legless or without a back) or beanbags (lacking rigid structure).
Examples & Challenges with Definitions
The class will be presented with thought-provoking challenges to test the boundaries of definitions: For instance, "Is an object without traditional legs still considered a chair?" This includes examples like a dentist's chair (often on a central pedestal), a car seat (integrated into a vehicle), or a high chair (elevated with variations in leg structure).
The exercise aims to encourage deeper critical thinking about why certain suggestions or objects might not fit the category of "chairs," prompting a realization of the inherent flexibility and context-dependence of definitions.
The instructor will emphasize that definitions and language itself are not static; they are dynamic and can be fluid, adapting to usage and context.
Defining Language
Eliciting definitions from students will lead to a comprehensive understanding of language's key attributes:
Presence and Evidence (Semanticity): Language is not just noise; it has the capacity to convey specific meanings and communicate ideas, differentiating it from simple communication signals that might lack specific content.
Communication versus Language: This acknowledges a crucial distinction: all languages are sophisticated communication systems, but not all communication systems possess the complex features required to be classified as languages.
Shared Rules (Arbitrariness): For effective communication to occur, there must be an agreed-upon system of symbols, sounds, or signs, and a shared understanding of their meanings and how they are structured. The connection between a symbol and its meaning is often arbitrary (e.g., the word "tree" doesn't physically resemble a tree, but we agree on its meaning).
Introduction to Experimental Methods of Communication
Morse code will be introduced as an illustrative example of a communication system that, while effective, lacks the full array of features typically found in a true language.
This example will underscore the critical necessity of shared meanings and a systematic set of rules for any communication attempt to be successful and interpretable.
Overview of Communication vs. Language Features
Communication Systems: These are broader and can involve simple, often non-linguistic, symbols or signals to convey basic messages (e.g., a thumbs-up gesture, a traffic light, animal calls).
Language: This is a more complex and structured system that consistently utilizes meaningful symbols (words, signs) combined according to agreed-upon grammatical rules, allowing for the expression of complex and abstract thoughts.
Structure of Language
Language features, which help define it, are broken down into several key characteristics:
Interchangeability: This refers to the capacity of individuals to both send (produce) and receive (comprehend) messages. For example, a speaker can become a listener, and vice versa.
Cultural Transmission: Language is not innate or genetically programmed in humans; it is a learned behavior that is passed down and acquired within a specific cultural or social context from one generation to the next.
Discreteness: Language is composed of smaller, distinct, and meaningful units that can be combined in specific ways. For example, individual sounds (phonemes) combine to form words (morphemes), and words combine to form sentences.
Productivity: This is the remarkable ability of language users to create and understand an infinite number of new and novel words, sentences, and messages that they have never encountered before, using a finite set of rules and elements.
Evolution: Languages are not static entities; they are dynamic systems that change, adapt, and evolve over time, influenced by cultural, social, and historical factors within the communities that use them.
Displacement: This is the unique capacity of language to refer to things, events, and ideas that are not present in the immediate moment. We can discuss the past, ponder the future, or talk about hypothetical or abstract concepts, transcending the 'here and now'.
Defining ASL as Language
The summary will reinforce that ASL fully qualifies as a language because it demonstrably exhibits all the defining properties:
It demonstrates evolution, continuously changing and adapting within its community.
It possesses discreteness, with distinct signs and movements that combine meaningfully.
It allows for immense productivity, enabling signers to create an endless array of new expressions and ideas.
It features displacement, allowing discussions about events, people, and concepts that are not physically present.
It is used within vibrant communities and develops across generations, showing clear cultural transmission.
It provides a rich and complex structure for engaging in abstract discussions, conveying nuanced meanings, and expressing complex thoughts.
Assignments & Questions Before Closing
Students will receive a clear roadmap outlining future assignments, upcoming quizzes, and exam schedules to help them plan their studies effectively.
Active participation in ASL research and ongoing class discussions will be strongly encouraged to deepen understanding and engagement with the subject matter.
The instructor's aim is to foster a collaborative and supportive community learning environment where students can enrich their comprehension through personal experiences and thoughtful discourse.
Conclusion of Class
Key administrative details regarding due dates for future assignments and upcoming classes will be reiterated.
Students will be encouraged to form informal study groups with their peers to facilitate collaborative learning and discussion outside of class time.
The floor will be opened for any remaining questions regarding the class material, assignments, or any other related concerns.