Language Features and Myths
Xiaofei Lu
APLNG 200
August 31, 2009
Features of communication systems





Mode of communication
Semanticity
Pragmatic function
Broadcast transmission and directional
reception
Rapid fading
2
Features of communication systems




Interchangeability
Complete feedback
Specialization
Arbitrariness
3
Features of communication systems




Discreteness
Cultural transmission
Prevarication
Learnability
4
Features of communication systems




Duality of patterning
Reflexiveness
Displacement
Productivity
5
Discussion




Which features do the traffic light and bee
dance systems possess respectively?
Which features are shared among all
communication systems?
Which features are unique to human
language?
What happens if any of the features is missing
from language (e.g., arbitrariness)?
6
Discussion


Is there any non-arbitrary aspect in human
language?
Consider the following words:



Slack, slouch, sludge, slime, slosh, slash, sloppy,
slut, slang, sly, sloth, slaver, slog, slap, slum
Can you find other groups of words like this?
What does this suggest to you?
7
Why do you study language?



A window for understanding a fundamental
aspect of what it is to be a human
A reflection of individual identify, and social
and cultural aspects of society
Practical applications: language learning and
teaching, human-computer interaction,
speech therapy
8
Knowing a language



Linguistic competence and linguistic
performance
What do you know when you know a
language?
How is competence stored?

Lexicon and mental grammar
9
Descriptive vs. prescriptive grammar

Descriptive grammar


Prescriptive grammar



Some English speakers use double negatives for
negation
Do not end a sentence with a preposition
Do not use double negative
What is taught in school? What do you believe
in? What should linguists use?
10
Truths and misconceptions about
language






Unwritten languages are primitive
African American Vernacular English lacks grammar
It’s easier to learn Chinese if your ancestry is Chinese
Some languages are intrinsically harder to learn than
others
The language or dialect you speak affects whether you
distinguish between certain sounds
Some dialects of English are inferior to others
11
Truths and misconceptions about
language





There is an adjective that means ‘hungry’ in every
language
Some languages put verbs at the end of the sentence
Every language has a way to mark the past tense of
verbs
Some languages have a special verb tense used for
gossip and hearsay
Native Americans speak different dialects of the
Native American language
12