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The Properties of Human Language

The document discusses the key properties of human language: (1) Displacement allows language to refer to past/future times and locations. (2) Arbitrariness means there is no natural connection between linguistic forms and meanings. (3) Productivity enables language users to understand and create new utterances. (4) Cultural transmission means language is passed down between generations rather than genetically.

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Johan Guaje
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1K views

The Properties of Human Language

The document discusses the key properties of human language: (1) Displacement allows language to refer to past/future times and locations. (2) Arbitrariness means there is no natural connection between linguistic forms and meanings. (3) Productivity enables language users to understand and create new utterances. (4) Cultural transmission means language is passed down between generations rather than genetically.

Uploaded by

Johan Guaje
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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The Properties of Human Language

Yule, George (1996).The Study of Language. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

The Properties of Human Language


Unique system of communication Informative signals: signals which you have not intentionally sent body language Communicative signals: signals you use intentionally to communicate something

The Properties of Human Language


(1) DISPLACEMENT human language can refer to past and future time and to other locations bee language: dance routine to communicate the location of nectar

(2) ARBITRARINESS
no natural connection between linguistic form and its meaning arbitrary relationship between linguistic signs and objects of the real world (no iconic relationship)

(3) PRODUCTIVITY/ CREATIVITY


a child learning a language is active in forming and producing utterances it has never heard before a language user can manipulate his linguistic resources open endedness

(4) CULTURAL TRANSMISSION


We acquire language with other speakers - not from parental genes
Language is passed on from one generation to the next

(5) DISCRETENESS
The sounds used in a language are meaningfully distinct e.g.: pack back pin - bin Difference in pronunciation between /p/ and /b/ sound leads to a difference in meaning

(6) DUALITY
Language is organised on two levels: Physical level at which we can produce individual sounds e.g. n, b, i. Meaning level: when we produce sounds in combination e.g.: nib, bin

(7) SEMANTICITY

Language carries meaning

(8) STRUCTURE DEPENDENCE

Language is dependent on structure syntactical rules

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