Language systems and skills
What is language?
According to:
1- Block and Trager “A language is a system of arbitrary vocal symbols by means of which
a social group operates.”
2- Allen “Language is a means of communicating thoughts.”
3- O. Jesperson “Language is set of human habits. The purpose of which is to give
expression to thoughts and feelings.”
4- Webster “Language is an audible, articulate human speech as produced by the action of
the tongue and adjacent vocal organs.”
According to all these definitions, language is used to give expression to thoughts and feelings
of a social group.
There are four components or language systems:
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Grammar is how words must be joined into phrases or sentences. It is a set of rules we
have to follow to understand and use the language correctly and in the production of
well-formed constructions (mental property).
Lexis/vocabulary/words are symbols that stand for objects or concepts. They are
arbitrary. They have a meaning because we given them that specific meaning.
Phonology is the branch of linguistics that deals with systems of sounds within a
language.
Discourse/Function is the correctness of the language in regards with the meaning of
what we want to communicate. (Formal or informal context).
There are also four language skills:
o
o
o
o
Listening
Speaking
Reading
Writing
Systems imply the “knowledge”/content we have about a language but skills imply the way in
which we can communicate and show what we know. (Larsen-Freeman, 2005)
CLSB