In this chapter, students will be able to understand: Levels of language, nature of language: form and meanings, functions of language, what does knowing a language mean? | Language: Form, Meanings and Functions Dr. Ansa Hameed 1 Levels of Language Nature of Language: Form and Meanings Functions of Language What does knowing a language mean???? Today’s lecture Language is major concern for Linguistics Linguistics is scientific study of languages Language is a tool for human communication different from animal communication system (It is actually one of the most important factors that differentiate us from animals) Language We live in a world of language. (Fromkin & Rodman, 2007, 13) We talk to our friends, our associates, our wives, our lovers, our neighbours, our parents, our teachers and even our enemies by using language Language is a complex social activity (Crystal, 2000, 27) Language Different aspects of Language It has form/structure It has meanings It has functions Language Levels of Language Semantics Related to meanings Syntax Related to structure of sentences Morphology Related to formation of words Phonology Related to sound system (symbols) of a particular language Phonetics Related to sounds of a language 1. Phonetics Science of human speech sounds It includes Study of vocal organs through which we pronounce sounds Study of sound waves Study of the ways sounds are transmitted Study of the ways sounds are perceived Language Form/ Structure 2. Phonology Study of sound systems of a particular language With reference to a particular language, it studies rules pertaining to the sound system English, Arabic, Persian, Dutch, Urdu . 3. Morphology Study of how sounds are combined to make words Language is made up of Morphemes. Many are words (Lexicon is the dictionary of). “Papers” has 2 morphemes (paper & s) 3 million words in English (about 200,000 words in common use today). 4. Syntax Study of formation of phrases and sentences Rules that enable us to combine morphemes into sentences (bridge between sound and meaning). When children put words together they are following syntactic rules about how morphemes are put together. 5. | Language: Form, Meanings and Functions Dr. Ansa Hameed 1 Levels of Language Nature of Language: Form and Meanings Functions of Language What does knowing a language mean???? Today’s lecture Language is major concern for Linguistics Linguistics is scientific study of languages Language is a tool for human communication different from animal communication system (It is actually one of the most important factors that differentiate us from animals) Language We live in a world of language. (Fromkin & Rodman, 2007, 13) We talk to our friends, our associates, our wives, our lovers, our neighbours, our parents, our teachers and even our enemies by using language Language is a complex social activity (Crystal, 2000, 27) Language Different aspects of Language It has form/structure It has meanings It has functions Language Levels of Language Semantics Related to meanings Syntax Related to structure of sentences Morphology Related to formation of words Phonology Related to sound system (symbols)
