The Language that Shapes Us
Noam Chomsky & Edward Sapir
What Makes Us Human?
• Social Scientists try to answer this
• What makes us different from other
species?
• Anthropologists often discuss
evolution as an answer to this
question
▫ This idea also showed us how similar
we are to the great apes
• But what makes us different from the
great apes?
• Language abilities
• All primates communicate, but humans
are capable of both concrete &
abstract though
Evolution of Human Language
Steps in Language Evolution
1 – Non-verbal gestures (body
language)
2 – Grunts, groans, & gestures
3 – Verbal communication
4 – Complex verbal
communication (specific
languages & grammar rules)
Evolution of Human Language
• Language is a sophisticated
communication system that includes
vocabulary or lexicon as well as a set of
rules or grammar outlining its proper use
• Evolution of language occurred
simultaneously w/ human evolution
▫ Specifically w/ brain size
• Brain grew & transformed, became
organized
▫ Allowed humans to think abstractly &
exchange information
• Major changes began 1.8 million years ago
(Brocha’s area – speech control)
• Finished approx 300,000 w/ the hyoid
bone connecting muscles to the jaw,
larynx, & tongue
The Importance of Language
• Allowed ancestors to communicate
needs
▫ Hunting, gathering, warning
• Increased probability of survival
• Language today is open & discrete
▫ Open b/c it evolves
▫ Discrete b/c it conveys clear
messages
 Primitive sounds can be falsely
interpreted b/c they are blended
(more than 1 meaning)
 Anyone for some charades!
 How about Pictionary!
Noam Chomsky: Linguistics Theorist
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Ideas in linguistics are complex
Believes humans are “fairly” unique
Why?
Our ability to communicate, learn, &
understand (video 2:57)
▫ Called it Universal Grammar (UG)
• Believes UG is innate
▫ Humans are born, pre-wired w/ an
idea of how language works regardless
of culture
• W/in this innate knowledge is our
understanding of how language works
& how to communicate
Noam Chomsky: Linguistics Theorist
• Chomsky’s Example
• Baby kittens vs human babies
• Both are exposed to the same language
HWR, results will differ
• Over time Humans ALWAYS acquire the
ability to understand/produce language
HWR, cats DO NOT
• Chomsky called this ability the
Language Acquisition Device (LAD)
• Chomsky stated that this ability exists in
all humans (as long as it begins by a certain age)
• Language differences are subtle
compared to these underlying innate
abilities humans possess (video 5:21)
Edward Sapir: Linguistics Theorist
• Sapir believed connections b/w language,
thinking, & culture exist
• AND these connections need to be understood
by everyone, in order for society to function
properly
▫ Making the ability to communicate clearly
essential
• Also believed that language shapes an
individual’s personality
▫ Meaning, language will influence our
perception of the world & our behaviour
• In order to understand the person, you need
to understand the history of their language,
which tells you the history of their culture
Edward Sapir & the Language Drift
• Sapir also stated that language is NOT static
▫ Meaning, it is constantly evolving
• Called this the Language Drift
▫ As language changes over time, so does our reality
▫ As our reality changes, so does language
(cyclical)
• Sapir believed that language helps humans filter
or interpret reality
▫ And that every culture use of language
predisposes us to certain experiences
Sapir & Benjamin Whorf: Linguistic Relativity
• Benjamin Whorf helped Sapir finish this
idea and called it Linguistic Relativity
• States that
▫ Language affects the ways in which it’s
respective speakers conceptualize the
world
• Whorf & Sapir highlighted this by using
Eskimo culture as an example
• 100+ words that describe snow
• Why?
• Most important element to their culture
• They compare many facets of life to it
• What do we have in CDN culture
that is similar?
• Nothing…. HAHA!
Evidence of Language Evolution: The Biami
• Hypothesis
▫ Communication evolved (from
facial expressions & body language
to complex)
• Tested in 1982 when the Biami were
found (New Guinea)
• Biami had no previous contact w/
other ppl
• Scientists tried using their own &
neighbouring dialects to talk
▫ Did not work
• Used facial expressions
▫ Smile was met w/ a smile
• Gestures (pointing to objects)
allowed trade (bartering) to occur
▫ Proved the hypothesis was accurate
Body Language
• Communicates information & attitudes
in a non-verbal manner
• Consists of facial expressions, gestures,
and the position of extremities
• Reinforces the impression a person is
trying to make OR may betray your true
feelings
• Body Language & Gestures have
different meanings throughout the
world (let’s look)
• Head Nod (up & down)
• Greece = NO
• Eye Contact
• To us = person is listening
• Japan = bad manners
• Thumbs Up!
• Iran = rude
• Important to know to avoid
miscommunication w/ ppl from other
cultures
How Humans Communicate
Language
(Verbal
Communication)
Communication
Process
Speech
Writing
Body Language
Tone
(Character of
Voice)
Non-Verbal
Communication
Interaction
Distance
Clothing
(Appearance)
Two Events That Changed Linguistics
Genie
Washoe & Nim Chimpsky