The Origin of Language

THE ORIGIN OF LANGUAGE

                Language is a system, arbitrary, symbol, communication, and culture. Another definition, language is an arbitrary vocal symbol which permits of people different culture or those who learn that culture to communicate or interact.

Component of Language

1.       Pronunciation

2.       Gestures / body language

3.       Sounds

4.       Words

5.       Grammar / structure

6.       Alphabet / symbol

7.       Signal / sign

There are four statements about the source of language              :

1.       Language come from god (god give us language) so children can speak without learning it.

Example               : innate ability

2.       Natural sound

Example               : the sound “bow wow” (dog)

3.       Oral gestures

4.       Gloss genetics (from parents)

The rule governed nature of language

1.       Language consists of signs occurring not in a random collection but in a system.

2.       A system consists of
smaller unit which stand in relation to each other and perform particular function.

3.       The small units are organized on certain principles or rules.

The rule of language

1.       Pattern of language-grammatical competence: actual use of language (performance).

2.       Syntax (ungrammatical is not permitted by the rule of language).

3.       Phonology (following the sound pattern of language).

4.       Morphology (addresses word based on part of speech).

5.       Semantic (grammatically correct but strange in meaning).

6.       Pragmatic (deep structure to have more interpretation).

Language universal, innateness, and creativity

1.       Language universal         : languages which are not language specific; will found in all language in the world.

2.       Innateness                         : we are born with an inborn capacity of language acquisition and genetically equipped to learn language.

3.       Creativity                             ; the human beings can produce and understand novel / unusual sentences.

Linguistic functions

1.       Interactional function-social and emotional interaction

2.       Transactional function-transfer of knowledge and information

Other function of linguistic

1.       To get others to do things

2.       To express emotions or feeling

3.       To get permission

4.       Meta language  (feed back)

5.       To talk about oneself. Etc.

Linguistic sign

                Human language consists of sign which are defined as things that stand for or represent something else. They involve sequences of sounds which represent concrete objects and events as well as abstractions.

1.       Iconic, which resemble the things they represent.

2.       Indexical, which point to or have necessary connection the things they represent.

3.       Symbolic, which are only conventionally related to the thing they represent.

4.       Onomatopoeic, the sign resemble the natural sound its represent.