Graduate School
Ateneo de Naga University
LLD313 Seminar on Research in Sociolinguistics
Dr. K Dayan
MODULE I: WHAT IS LANGUAGE?
Overview
To begin the study of human language, it is important to highlight a common theme throughout
module I: The study of human language can be stated in terms of (1) the nature and characteristics
of language (2) functions of language and (3) sign, communication and language.
Objectives
At the end of the lessons contained in this module, you are expected to have:
▪
define sign, communication and language
▪
analyze the nature and functions of language through examples
▪
reflect on issues relating language with the use of power in society and the role of language
teachers
“Do we know only what we see, or do we see what we somehow already know?” – CYNTHIA
OZICK, “What Hellen Keller Saw,” New Yorker, June 16 & 23, 2003.
Preliminary Questions:
Why is language important to you?
“Language is what makes us humans.” It is what makes us different from other species. As
a human, language is important to me since it plays a crucial role for communication, expression
of thoughts and ideas, and building connections with others. It serves as a tool for conveying
information, emotions, and cultural nuances. In fact, as a language teacher, student, and enthusiast,
I believe that language is essential for learning, collaboration, and the transmission of knowledge
across generations. It is a tool for education, enabling the transmission of ideas and wisdom. Also,
it allows me as an individual to express my empathy, understand the perspectives of others, and
build bridges between people with different backgrounds and experiences. Indeed, I use language
to interact, deepen my understanding, and form connections.
Why is language important to society?
Language is more than just words; it is the heartbeat of our society, helping us connect,
share stories, and understand each other. It plays a vital role in shaping identity, culture, and
societal norms. Without language, everything would be a mess. We use it every day to express our
feelings, tell stories, and work together. It is like the notes in a song that make everything sound
just right – without it, things would be chaotic.
In line with this, language is also a way for us to keep our traditions alive. The way we
talk, the words we use, they are all part of who we are. It is like passing down a family recipe or
sharing old stories. Language keeps our culture alive, connecting us to where we come from. In
school, language is how we learn. It helps us understand math, science, and everything else.
Without it, we would not be able to learn about our history or share new ideas with each other. It
is like the key to unlocking a treasure chest of knowledge.
When it comes to laws and rules, language is like the instruction manual. It helps us
understand what is right and wrong, fair and unfair. It is how we make sure things are fair for
everyone. Now, with the whole world connected, language helps us do business and make friends
from different places. It is like having a secret code that lets us work together, trade, and understand
each other, even if we are miles apart.
And what about stories and songs? They are like the paint on a canvas, using language to
create something beautiful. It is how we share our emotions, our dreams, and our favorite moments.
Language lets us be creative and make our own mark on the world. But most importantly, language
is how we connect with each other. It is what makes us feel like we belong, like we are part of
something bigger. When we talk in a way that everyone understands, it brings us together, making
us friends and family.
Indeed, whether we are chatting with a friend, learning something new, or singing our
favorite song, let us appreciate the power of language in our everyday lives. It's not just words – it
is the glue that holds our society together.
When do you know a language?
Language proficiency is a multifaceted skill that extends beyond mere conversational
ability. True mastery involves proficiency in speaking, listening, reading, and writing. We can be
deemed to “know” a language when we demonstrate proficiency across various components.
Proficient speakers can articulate thoughts with clarity and engage in meaningful conversations,
while adept listeners can comprehend spoken language across various contexts. Reading
proficiency enables individuals to navigate written materials, from basic sentences to complex
literature, while writing proficiency allows for the construction of coherent and grammatically
correct texts. A robust vocabulary and understanding of grammar are also key indicators of
language knowledge.
Assessment frameworks, such as the Common European Framework of Reference for
Languages (CEFR), categorize language proficiency levels from basic to advanced. However,
proficiency is not uniform; individuals may excel in certain aspects while facing challenges in
others. Cultural understanding and pragmatics, the ability to use language appropriately in
different social contexts, are integral dimensions of language competence. Language proficiency
is a dynamic skill, evolving as individuals engage with language in diverse contexts, ultimately
reflecting a nuanced understanding of a language and its cultural nuances.
Why do you think language skills are considered to be essential in learning a language?
Language skills are deemed essential in learning a language due to their integral role in
effective communication and comprehensive understanding. Proficiency in speaking is crucial as
it enables individuals to express their thoughts, engage in conversations, and convey emotions.
Without speaking skills, learners may struggle to actively participate in real-life communication
scenarios, hindering their ability to use the language in practical situations.
Listening skills are equally important as they allow learners to comprehend spoken
language, grasp nuances, and understand various accents and tones. Effective listening is
foundational for successful communication, enabling individuals to engage with native speakers,
follow instructions, and navigate real-world conversations. Without strong listening skills, learners
may struggle to interpret spoken language accurately, limiting their overall language proficiency.
Additionally, reading and writing skills are vital components of language learning.
Proficient readers can understand written texts, from basic materials to complex literature,
enhancing their ability to access information and broaden their knowledge. Strong writing skills
enable learners to construct coherent and grammatically correct sentences, express ideas in writing,
and communicate effectively through written communication. Together, these language skills
contribute to a well-rounded language proficiency, allowing learners to engage with a language
comprehensively in both spoken and written forms.
Name: Xena Angela D. Baloloy
Section: ________
Date: January 21, 2024
LESSON 1: The Nature and Characteristics of Language
Mode of Instructional Delivery: Synchronous
Reference: Fromkin, Victoria et al., Introduction to Linguistics, Chapter 1
Material: Google Slides + Meet
Objectives:
At the end of the lesson, you are expected to have:
1. outlined the notions on language, its nature and characteristics; and,
2. Analyzed sentences to deduce the general characteristics.
WHAT’S THE TEA?
But what does it mean to “know” a language? Use a situation where this question may be best
satisfied. (3pts).
Knowing a language extends beyond simple memorization of words and phrases; it
involves the ability to use the language effectively in practical situations. Imagine a scenario where
someone is visiting a foreign country where the local language is spoken. In this situation, truly
"knowing" the language means more than just having a basic vocabulary; it entails a range of
language skills.
In this scenario, someone who truly knows the language can confidently engage in
everyday conversations, ask for directions, order food at a local restaurant, and understand
responses from native speakers. Their speaking skills allow them to articulate their thoughts and
needs clearly, while their listening skills enable them to comprehend responses, including
colloquial expressions and variations in pronunciation.
Furthermore, knowing the language involves being able to read and understand signs,
menus, and other written materials in the foreign environment. This person can navigate through
a city using public transportation, read informational brochures, and follow instructions provided
in the local language. Additionally, their writing skills might come into play if they need to leave
a note, fill out a form, or communicate in writing.
Therefore, "knowing" a language in this context means having a practical command of the
language that goes beyond basic greetings and phrases. It involves the ability to function
effectively in real-life situations, demonstrating proficiency in speaking, listening, reading, and
writing as needed in everyday interactions within the cultural context of the foreign country.
❖ Do you know that a speaker of English can produce a sentence having two relative
clauses without knowing what a relative clause is, such as
My cousin who was born in Legaspi and who now lives in Naga is named Oriol, after a
mythical creature in the Epic of Ibalong.
SKRT!
Linguistics attempts to break down the broad questions about the nature of
language and communication into smaller more manageable questions by limiting
our perspective and restricting ourselves to particular frameworks for examining
different aspects of language and communication.
THE RECEIPTS!
(1) Chomsky (1965, 1972) proposes that three models are central to the general study of
(spoken) language. The first he calls a model of linguistic competence, because it models what
fluent speakers know when they know a language:
‘‘At the crudest level of description, we may say that a language associates sound
and meaning in a particular way: to have command of a language is to be able,
in principle, to understand what is said, and to produce a signal with the intended
semantic interpretation’’
Based on the description of his first model, identify the components in figure 1 below
(2pts):
Figure 1
sound
Linguistic
Competence
meaning
(2) The second model Chomsky calls a model of linguistic performance, where the idea is
that a performance model should contain a competence model as a part: ‘‘Any . . . model for the
production [and comprehension] of sentences must incorporate the system of grammatical rules’’.
Such a model can be represented as in figure 1.2. Reading this model from left to right gives a
model of speech production, and reading it from right to left gives a model of speech
comprehension.
Based on the description of his second model, identify the components in figure 2 below
(3pts):
Figure 2
production
comprehension
Performance model
of language
(3) Chomsky’s third device is called a language acquisition model, because it reflects the
changes in a person’s competence and performance as he or she acquires a language and thus
provides a model of the child’s language-learning achievements.
Based on the description of his third model, identify the components in figure 3 below
(2pts):
Acquisition
Model
competence and
performance
Grammar
NO CAP!
If you do not know a language, the words (and sentences) of that language will be mainly
incomprehensible, because the relationship between speech sounds and the meanings they
represent is, for the most part, an arbitrary one.
Guess the place of origin (language) or the translation for each of the different words for
the two concepts below:
English
French
Russian
Filipino
Bikol
Spanish
house
maison
dom
bahay
harong
casa
English
Thai
Spanish
Chinese
Cebuano
Korean
hand
มื
mano
手
อ
kamot
손
YASS!
Knowing a language means being able to produce new sentences never spoken before and
to understand sentences never heard before. Knowledge of language enables you to combine
sounds to form words, words to form phrases, and phrases to form sentences.
Simple memorization of all the possible sentences in a language is impossible because the
number of sentences in a language is infinite. Noam Chomsky refers to this ability as part of the
creative aspect of language use.
This creativity is reflected not only in what we say but also includes our understanding of
new or novel sentences. Consider the following sentence: “Daniel Boone decided to become a
pioneer because he dreamed of pigeon-toed giraffes and cross-eyed elephants dancing in pink
skirts and green berets on the wind-swept plains of the Midwest.”
The creative aspect of language use also includes the sound sequences. When new products
are put on the market, the manufacturers have to think up new names for them that conform to the
allowable sound patterns. For example, you named one new product Blick. You could describe the
sounds on any of the following ways:
bl as in blood, i as in pit, ck as in stick
bli as in bliss, ck as in tick
b as in boy, lick as in lick
Exercise
Suppose you were hired by a manufacturer of smartphones to name six new
products. What names might you come up with? List them
InnoVision
NexGen
AquaSpark
Technorrific
PhoneX
InfinityDream
IRL (In Real Life)
There are rules that hold in all languages. These rules represent the universal properties
that all languages share constitute a Universal Grammar (UG). We can think of UG as the
basic blueprint that all languages follow.
Each language has its own peculiar characteristics, but children learn them all in very much
the same way. For example, all children go through a babbling stage; their babbles gradually give
way to words, which then combine into simple sentences. The English-speaking two year-old
might say Kyle build house instead of Kyle is building the house. On the other side of the world, a
Swahili-speaking child will say mbuzi kula majani, which translates as “goat eat grass”, which
also lacks certain required elements.
Let’s think about this!
Formulate a generalization to describe the way children acquire rules or grammar
of language based on the following examples of children’s early sentence
formation or baby talk:
Can I can’t go?
He go out.
Want other one spoon.
Generalization:
What do you don’t like?
It fall.
Did you saw?
Children's acquisition of language rules or grammar follows a general pattern that
transcends specific linguistic differences. Despite the unique characteristics of each language, the
process of language development in children exhibits universal traits. The formation of early
sentences or "baby talk" reflects a common progression observed in children's linguistic journey.
Firstly, children universally experience a babbling stage, a precursor to structured
language. This initial phase lays the foundation for language acquisition, with babbling gradually
transforming into recognizable words and eventually simple sentences. The examples provided,
such as "Can I can't go?" and "He go out," illustrate the early stages where children are in the
process of grasping grammatical structures.
Secondly, children across diverse linguistic environments exhibit a tendency to
overgeneralize or simplify grammatical rules during their initial attempts at constructing sentences.
This is evident in statements like "What do you don't like?" and "Did you saw?" where negation
and verb tense are not applied according to adult-corrected forms. This phase highlights a universal
inclination of children to experiment with and sometimes misapply grammatical rules as they
develop their language skills.
In summary, the generalization regarding children's acquisition of language rules is
characterized by a universal progression from babbling to structured sentences, alongside a
common tendency to overgeneralize or simplify grammatical structures during the initial stages of
language development. The shared features in the early sentence formation of children, as
illustrated by the provided examples, contribute to the concept of Universal Grammar as a
foundational blueprint that guides language acquisition across different linguistic contexts.
LANGUAGE FLEX
Study the nature and characteristics of language in the handout provided. Complete the
definition below from the words in the box.
Language is a system of communication which consists of a set of sounds and written
symbols which are used by the people of a particular discourse community for speaking or
writing.
system
communication
sounds
Symbols
speaking
writing
discourse community
people
How do you understand the definition? You may explain either by rewriting the definition or
using a situation.
Language, as defined, is a structured system that facilitates communication. It involves the
use of both spoken sounds and written symbols, serving as a means of expression for individuals
within a specific discourse community. This definition implies that language is not merely a
collection of words but a dynamic tool for conveying thoughts, ideas, and emotions.
For instance, members of a tight-knit community gather for a lively conversation. In this
setting, they employ a shared set of sounds, forming spoken words, and possibly written symbols
like text messages or notes. The communication within this community relies on the understanding
of these linguistic elements, creating a shared understanding among its members. This definition
captures the essence of language as a comprehensive system that enables meaningful interactions
and connections among individuals within a particular group or community.
Discuss at least two characteristics of language based on the handout provided by using your
own examples.
Language, as a complex and dynamic system of communication, exhibits distinctive
characteristics that shape its nature and functionality. Two fundamental features that contribute
significantly to the richness of language are its arbitrary nature and inherent creativity.
Arbitrariness is a defining characteristic of language, emphasizing the lack of inherent
connections between linguistic signs and their meanings. The association between a word and
its referent is arbitrary and established through societal consensus within a given language
community. This arbitrary nature is evident when comparing words across languages. Take, for
instance, the English word "book." The sounds represented by the letters b-o-o-k have no
intrinsic connection to the concept of a collection of written or printed pages. In Spanish, the
equivalent word is "libro," and in Chinese, it's "书" (shū). These variations highlight the arbitrary
link between linguistic signs and their meanings, underscoring the role of societal agreement in
shaping language.
On the other hand, creativity is a dynamic aspect of language that allows speakers not
only to produce new sentences but also to comprehend sentences never encountered before.
This creativity extends beyond memorization, enabling individuals to form an infinite array of
sentences by combining sounds, words, and structures in novel ways. An illustrative example
of this creative aspect is found in the sentence: "In a world where gravity is a mere suggestion,
elephants sing opera while balancing on tightropes made of spaghetti." This sentence, though
highly imaginative and unlikely, is understood by speakers, demonstrating the capacity of
language users to engage with and comprehend novel linguistic constructions.
WRAP UP!
1. For memory’s sake, rewrite the definition for language: (2pts)
Language is a system of communication which consists of a set of sounds and written
symbols which are used by the people of a particular discourse community for speaking or writing.
2. Which of the following is not part of Noam Chomsky’s models for language performance?
Put an (x) before the letter of your choice. (3pts)
x to understand what is said, and to produce a signal with the intended semantic
interpretation, a language associates sound and meaning.
_ sentences must incorporate the system of grammatical rules
x language performance is fixed all through the process of language acquisition
3. How do you explain the statement, ‘language is the source of human life and power.’? Is this
realistic? Defend your answer. (10 pts)
The statement, "language is the source of human life and power," encapsulates the
profound impact that language has on human existence and societal dynamics. While it may
sound poetic, the essence of this statement holds a realistic perspective.
Language is the primary medium through which human beings communicate, share
knowledge, and build connections. From the moment an individual is born, language becomes
integral to every aspect of life. Infants learn to communicate their needs through cries and
gestures, gradually progressing to spoken language. As individuals grow, language plays a
central role in social interactions, education, and personal development. It is the means through
which individuals express emotions, thoughts, and cultural identities. Furthermore, language
serves as a tool for learning, a vehicle for cultural transmission, and a key component in the
formation of relationships and communities. The development and use of language are
intertwined with the very fabric of human existence.
Moreover, the power of language lies in its ability to shape perceptions, influence
behavior, and facilitate complex societal structures. Through language, individuals can articulate
ideas, persuade others, and mobilize collective action. Those who wield linguistic prowess often
hold a distinct advantage in various aspects of life. Political leaders, for example, use language
to inspire, rally support, and convey policies. Similarly, effective communicators in business,
academia, or any social context can leverage language to negotiate, lead, and effect change.
Language, therefore, becomes a source of power as it enables individuals to navigate and
influence the social, political, and economic landscapes.
The realism of the statement is grounded in the observable and pervasive role of language
TEACHER’S COMMENTS
END OF MODULE 1, LESSON 1:
NATURE AND CHARACTERISTICS OF LANGUAGE
Congratulations!