Otto Jespersen’s
Language Origin
Hypotheses
Semiotics or Sign
Language
Objectives:
Trace the possibility of language origin in a
cultural (anthropological) perspective;
Recognize sign language as a language of
cultural significance to people with special
needs;
And identify the different theories of
anthropological linguistics and relate them to
society and language learning through a case
presentation.
Who is Jespersen?
His full name is “Jens Otto Harry
Jespersen”
Born July 16, 1860 in Randers, Denmark
A Danish Linguist and a Foremost
authority of English Grammar
He helped to revolutionize language
teaching in Europe, he contributed
greatly to the advancement of phonetics,
linguistic theory, and the History of
English, and originated on international
language Novial.
Died April 30, 1943 in Roskilde, Denmark
at the aged of 82 years old.
Five Language Origin
Theories/Hypotheses
1. Bow-Wow Theory
According to this theory, language began when our
ancestors started imitating the natural sound around
them. This is more technically referred to as
onomatopoeia or echoism.
2. The Ding-Dong
This theory favored by Plato and Pythagoras,
maintains that speech arose in response to the
essential qualities of objects in the environment. The
original sounds of people made were supposedly in
harmony with the world around them.
3. The La-La
The Danish linguist Otto Jespersen suggested that
language may have developed from sounds
associated with love, play, and especially song.
4. The Pooh-Pooh
This theory holds that speech began with
interjections, spontaneous cries of pain (“Ouch!),
surprise (“Oh!”), and other emotions.
5. Yo-He-Ho
According to this theory, language evolved from the
grunts, groans, and snorts evoked by heavy physical
labor.
Semiotics or Sign
Language
Semiotics or Sign
Language
•Semiotics is the theory and study of signs
and symbols, especially as elements of
language or other systems of
communications.
•Linguistics and cultural semiotics
investigates sign system and the modes of
representation that humans use to convey
feelings, thoughts, ideas, and ideologies.
•It is also a key study into the evolution of
human consciousness.
Common examples of semiotics
include traffic signs, emojis, and
emoticons used in electronic
communication, and logos and
brands used by international
corporations to sell us things
—"brand loyalty," they call it.
ENGLISH PHILOSOPHER JOHN LOCKE
(1632-1704) TIED THE ADVANCEMENT OF
INTELLIGENCE IN THREE STEPS.
1
2
3
Understanding
the nature of
things.
Understanding
what to do to
achieve
whatever you
wish to achieve.
The ability to
communicate
these things to
another.
American Sign
Language
(ASL)
American Sign Language
(ASL)
American Sign Language (ASL) is a complete, natural
language that has the same linguistic properties as spoken
languages, with grammar that differs from English. ASL is
expressed by movements of the hands and face. It is the
primary language of many North Americans who are deaf
and hard of hearing and is used by some hearing people
as well.
In the 1800s, Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet developed
American Sign Language (ASL). Inspired by a desire to help
his neighbor’s deaf daughter, Gallaudet went to Europe to
meet with Laurent Clerc, a deaf instructor of sign language.
Together they founded the first American school for the deaf
and established a sign language unique to the USA. It was
inspired by the French Sign Language, signs from Martha’s
Vineyard and might have been inspired by the signing system
of the Great Plains Native Americans.
It helps to reduce tantrums and frustrations when
children find it difficult to communicate.
It promotes early language development.
It stimulates brain development and enhances
memory as they learn and remembers a lot of new
Presentations are communication tools.
words.
It builds vocabulary.
Presentations are communication tools.
It develops fine and gross motor skills.
It develops confidence and self-esteem.
Benefits of
Learning
American
Sign
Language
AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE FOR ALPHABET
DESCRIPTION
A- A closed fist, all finger folded against the palm, thumb is straight, alongside the index
finger.
B- All fingers are straight. Thumb is folded across palm.
C- All fingers partially folded. Thumb is partially folded. Hand is turn slightly to the left
so viewer can see backward "C" shape formed by thumb and index finger.
D- Middle, ring and little fingers are partially folded. Tip of thumb is touching tip of
middle finger. Index finger is straight. Hand is turned slightly so viewer can see "d" shape
formed by thumb, middle and index fingers.
E- Thumb is folded across in front of palm but not touching it. All fingers are partially
folded with the tips of index, middle and ring fingers touching the thumb between the
knuckle and the tip.
F- Tip of index finger is touching tip of thumb. Middle, ring and little fingers are straight
and slightly spread.
G- Middle, ring and little fingers are folded down across palm. Thumb is straight but
pulled in so that it is in front of the index finger. The index finger is straight and pointing
forwards slightly so that it is parallel to the thumb, The thumb and index finger are not
touching. The whole hand is turned towards the left and tilted slightly so the thumb and
index finger are towards the viewer and pointing up at about 45 degrees.
H- Ring and little finger are folded down. Thumb is folded over ring and little finger.
Index finger and middle finger are straight and together. The hand is tilted over so that
the fingers are horizontal and pointing to the left.
I- Index, middle and ring fingers are folded down. Thumb is folded across index middle
and ring fingers. Little finger is straight.
J- Index, middle and ring fingers are folded down. Thumb is folded across index middle
and ring fingers. Little finger is straight. The hand is moved so that little finger draws a
"J" shape. Motion is a curve moving forward and then right. The hand turns to the right.
K- Ring and little fingers are folded down. Index and middle finger are straight and
slightly spread. Thumb is straight and pointing up to the middle finger. (This is very
similar to V the only difference is the position of the thumb.
L- Middle, ring and little finger are folded down over palm. Index finger and thumb are
straight. Thumb is sticking out sideways at 90 degrees to index finger to form "L" shape.
M- Little finger is folded. Thumb is folded across to touch little finger. Index, middle and
ring fingers are folded down over thumb.
N- Little and ring finger are folded. Thumb is folded across ring and little finger. Index
finger and middle finger are folded down over thumb.
O- All fingers are partially folded. Thumb is partially folded and tip of thumb is touching
tip of index finger. Hand is turned slightly so viewer can see "O" shape formed by thumb
and index finger.
P- Ring and little finger are folded down. Index finger is straight. Middle finger is
straight but pointing forward so that is at 90 degrees to index finger. Tip of thumb is
touching middle of middle finger. Hand is turned to the left and twisted over so that
index finger is horizontal and middle finger is pointing down. Viewer can (sort of) see a
"P" shape formed by middle finger and thumb.
Q- Ring and little fingers are folded down across palm. Thumb is straight but pulled in
so that it is in front of the index finger. The index finger is straight and pointing
forwards slightly so that it is parallel to the thumb. The index finger and thumb are not
touching. The Middle finger is bent down and across to the right of the thumb (this
hurts !). The whole hand is turned towards the left and tilted so the thumb and index
finger are towards the viewer and pointing almost straight down.
R- Ring and little finger are folded against the palm, held down by thumb, index and
middle finger are straight and crossed, index finger in front.
S- Clenched fist. All fingers folded tightly into palm. Thumb is across index and middle
fingers.
T- Middle, ring and little fingers are fold down across palm. Thumb is folded across
middle finger. Index finger is folded over thumb.
U- Ring and little finger are folded against the palm, held down by thumb, index and
middle finger are straight and together.
V- Ring and little finger fold against the palm, held down by thumb, index and middle
finger are straight and spread to form a "V" shape.
W- Tip of little finger is touching tip of thumb. Index, middle and ring fingers are
straight and slightly spread.
X- Middle, ring and little fingers are folded down. Index finger is bent at both joints.
Thumb is pulled in and slightly bent at the joint. The hand is turned to the left so view
can see thumb and index finger.
Y- Index, middle and ring ringers folded against palm. Little finger and thumb are
straight and spread wide.
Z- Middle, ring and little fingers are folded. Thumb is folded across middle and ring
fingers. Index finger is straight. The hand is moved so that the tip of index finger draws
out a "Z" shape. The motion is (1) from right to left. (2) from left to right and forward.
(3) from right to left.
TIPS
Pay attention to the thumb for A and S
Be aware of the common confusion between F and D. Pay attention to D and F
when you spell one of them.
Make sure your E is clear, keeping the thumb away from the index finger to
avoid slipping it into O.
K and P have different upward/downward palm orientation.
Pay attention to the thumb for M and N.
K and P have different upward/downward palm orientation.
Pay attention to the thumb for A and S.
Pay attention to the thumb for T that is different from M and N.
AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE FOR NUMBERS
Follow the below guide to sign numbers 1-20 in ASL
Numbers 1-5 in ASL is just simple. Use your fingers to point to the
numbers:
Number One: To sign 1 in ASL, lift the index finger.
Number Two: To sign 2 in ASL, lift and extend the index and middle finger.
Number Three: To sign 3 in ASL, extend the thumb, index, and middle finger.
Number Four: To sign 4 in ASL, extend all four fingers except the thumb.
Number Five: To sign 5 in ASL, extend all five fingers.
Numbers 6-9 in ASL are signed by the grouping of fingers together:
Number Six: To sign 6 in ASL, bring together the thumb and pinky finger with
the remaining fingers extended.
Number Seven: To sign 7 in ASL, bring the thumb and ring finger together
with the remaining fingers extended.
Number Eight: To sign 8 in ASL, bring the thumb and middle finger together
with the remaining fingers extended.
Number Nine: To sign 9 in ASL, bring the thumb and index finger together
with the remaining fingers extended.
Number Ten: To sign 10 in ASL, make a fist and wave the thumb.
Numbers 11-15 in ASL are signed by repeatedly bending:
Number Eleven: To sign 11 in ASL, open the index finger with the palm facing
you.
Number Twelve: To sign 12 in ASL, open the index and middle finger with the
palm facing you. Repeatedly flick the “two” fingers off the thumb.
Number Thirteen: To sign 13 in ASL, repeatedly bend the “two” fingers while
the thumb pointing out.
Number Fourteen: To sign 14 in ASL, repeatedly bend the “four” fingers while
keeping the thumb inside the palm.
Number Fifteen: To sign 15 in ASL, repeatedly bend the “four” fingers while
the thumb pointing out.
Numbers 16-19 in ASL are signed by signing 6-9 numbers plus left-toright movements.
Number Sixteen: To sign 16 in ASL, make the sign for “six,” repeatedly moving
it left and right.
Number Seventeen: To sign 17 in ASL, make the “seven” sign and move it
repeatedly from left to right.
Number Eighteen: To sign 18 in ASL, make the sign for “eight” and repeatedly
move it from left to right.
Number Nineteen: To sign 19 in ASL, make the sign for “nine” and move it
repeatedly from left to right.
Number Twenty: To sign 20 in ASL, repeatedly “snap” the index finger and
thumb together.
Tips to remember:
For numbers 1-5, it’s best practice to sign them with your palm facing
you and the back of your hand facing the people you’re signing
showing the numbers.
Some numbers share identical signs to alphabet. For example, two
with the letter ‘v’ and three with the letter ‘w’. Differentiate them by
doing subtle motions (like tapping fingers together to indicate the
number) and clarify that it doesn’t mean the alphabet variant of the
sign.
-ENDThank you for listening!
God bless!