Lecture Introduction to linguistics: Language & levels of language (Recap). In this chapter, students will be able to understand: Language: definitions, language: features, language: theories about origin (new addition), language: levels. | Language & Levels of Language (Recap) Dr. Ansa Hameed Recap of previous 14-15 lectures: Topics Language: Definitions Language: Features Language: Theories about Origin (New addition) Language: Levels Today’s Lecture ‘Language is a primarily human and non-instinctive method of communicating ideas, emotions and desire by means of a system of voluntarily produced symbols’ (Sapir, 1921) ‘Language may be defined as the expression of thought by means of speech sounds’ (Sweet, 1993) Language: Definitions ‘Language is a system of conventional, spoken or written symbols by means of which human beings, as members of a social group and participants in its culture, communicate’ (Encyclopedia Britannica) “Language is a set of finite number sentences, each finite in lingth and constructed out of a finite set of elements” Noam Chomsky(1957) Language: Definitions In simple words, Language is A tool of communication A medium to transfer ideas, thoughts The most specific human tool The biggest need of life on earth Language The important features that all human languages have in common (not solely English). Design features of language by American linguists Charles Hockett: of sound signals need for learning of patterns (productivity) dependence Features of Language Language reveals patterns of how mind works. Language is a means for mental and social development. Language is a property of the individual as well as of the society. Language is a predictor of social identity. Language is a predictor of social identity Language is used for cultural preservation and transmission Language can be used by some to exert their power over others. Minor Features of Language Two views about origin of language: MONOGENESIS:18th C. Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz: all ancient and modern languages branched off from a single proto-language. But it cannot explain that human language arose simultaneously at many . | Language & Levels of Language (Recap) Dr. Ansa Hameed Recap of previous 14-15 lectures: Topics Language: Definitions Language: Features Language: Theories about Origin (New addition) Language: Levels Today’s Lecture ‘Language is a primarily human and non-instinctive method of communicating ideas, emotions and desire by means of a system of voluntarily produced symbols’ (Sapir, 1921) ‘Language may be defined as the expression of thought by means of speech sounds’ (Sweet, 1993) Language: Definitions ‘Language is a system of conventional, spoken or written symbols by means of which human beings, as members of a social group and participants in its culture, communicate’ (Encyclopedia Britannica) “Language is a set of finite number sentences, each finite in lingth and constructed out of a finite set of elements” Noam Chomsky(1957) Language: Definitions In simple words, Language is A tool of communication A medium to transfer ideas, thoughts The most specific human tool The biggest need of
