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Language

Language. Chapter 3 Content. What is Language?. 3 key features to distinguish language from non-language… Language is rule-governed Language is intended Language is creative and open-ended. Language is rule-governed.

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Language

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  1. Language Chapter 3 Content

  2. What is Language? • 3 key features to distinguish language from non-language… • Language is rule-governed • Language is intended • Language is creative and open-ended

  3. Language is rule-governed • Grammar: gives rules for how to combine words in the correct order, and it helps to determine the meaning of a sentence • Vocabulary • For communication to work, it does not matter what noises or squiggles we correlate with objects, so long as there is general agreement.

  4. Language is intended • Body Language: using the body to intentionally communicate

  5. Language is creative and open-ended • We are able to create and understand sentences that have never been written or said before. • Languages are not static… they can change or develop over time.

  6. The problematic nature of human communication Part one

  7. The problem of meaning • Words are often ambiguous (having several possible meanings) and open to a variety of interpretations. • If you do not know the meaning of key words in a passage, you will not understand it. • Meaning is important in our search for knowledge because… you must know what a sentence means before you can decide whether it is true or false.

  8. Theories of meaning • 3 theories of what distinguishes meaningful words from meaningless ones… • Definition Theory • Denotation Theory • Image Theory

  9. Definition Theory • Meanings are to be found in dictionaries… • Coming up with a good definition is more difficult then it seems. • The only words that we can define in a clear way are mathematical ones. • Criticism of this theory… • The only way to explain meanings of words is by using other words.

  10. Denotation theory • Meanings are found in the world… (words correspond to other things in the world) • Criticism of this theory… • If we took this theory literally, people would not be able to talk about you after you die.

  11. Image theory • Meanings of words are found in the mind… • The meaning of a word is the mental image it stands for – you know the meaning of the word when you have the appropriate concept in your mind.

  12. Meaning as know-how • You know the meaning of a word when you “know how” to use it correctly.

  13. Problematic meaning • 5 kinds of problematic meaning in everyday language

  14. Vagueness • Words that meaning depends of context • Example: the word fast means something different to a long distance runner and a formula 1 racecar driver

  15. Ambiguity • Many words have multiple meanings • Ambiguous words can be amusing, but they can also be used to mislead someone • Ex: Politicians

  16. Secondary meaning • Words can have different meanings depending of the person • Denotation: primary meaning (dictionary definition) • Connotation: secondary meaning (varies from person to person) • Euphemism: using a connotation that carries a more acceptable or pleasant feeling then its harsh denotation… using emotive meaning Ex: died – passed away

  17. metaphor • Sentences that are “literally” false, but metaphorically true • You can use the context of a sentence to determine whether a sentence is meant literally or metaphorically. • Example: • My brother is a butcher. (literal) • My dentist is a butcher. (metaphorically)

  18. irony • The saying of one thing in order to mean the opposite • Example: It is storming outside and someone says, “Nice weather we are having!?”

  19. Meaning and interpretation • In summary, problematic meaning = language is ambiguous. • Vagueness, secondary meaning, metaphor and irony can all be seen as different kinds of ambiguity. • Meaning is not an all-or-nothing concept…

  20. Language and translation • Problems of Translation • Three problems arise in translating something from one language to another. • Context • The meaning of a word in a language is partly determined by its relation to other words. • Untranslatable words • Every language contains words that have no equivalent in other languages. • Idioms • Meaning is nonsensical if interpreted literally, but means something else entirely when examined as a whole.

  21. idioms • Examples: • “Don’t beat around the bush” • “I was over the moon” • “He was born with a silver spoon in his mouth”

  22. Language affects the way we see and think about the world Part two

  23. Labels • Putting labels on things has its advantages and disadvantages… • Advantages • labeling is efficient and economical • Disadvantages • labeling creates the danger of mislabeling things

  24. stereotypes • A stereotype arises when we make assumptions about a group of people purely on the basis of their membership to the group. • Despite the dangers of stereotyping people, some generalizations contain an element of truth in them.

  25. The sapir-whorf hypothesis • language determines our experiences of reality, and we can see and think only what our language allows us to see and think • Example: • Amondawa Tribe • Linguistic Determinism: language and its structures determine our knowledge and thoughts

  26. language and values • We use language not only to describe the world, but to also persuade and influence one another. • Advertisers use the “power of language” to influence and persuade.

  27. 4 ways in which language can influence and persuade people • Emotionally laden language • Weasel Words • Grammar • Revealing and Concealing

  28. Emotionally laden language • Emotive Meaning: the aura of favorable or unfavorable feeling that hovers about a word • Example: Euphemisms

  29. weasel words • words that give ambiguity to a statement • Examples • many, should, probably • Our product will work for you if you simply follow instructions carefully.

  30. Grammar • Grammar can affect the way people see things. • The passive voice may be used to cover up someone’s responsibility for something. • Example: • Many villages were bombed.(passive) • We bombed many villages. (active) • The first sentence makes the bombing sound like a natural disaster, while the second puts the spotlight on the perpetrators.

  31. Revealing and Concealing • Language can reveal certain aspects of reality and conceal other aspects by diverting attention away from them. • 4 descriptions of the same person. • I have invited an attractive blonde to the party. • I have invited a cellist to the party. • I have invited a marathon runner to the party. • I have invited a lesbian to the party. Each description has different connotations…

  32. Language is power!!! • Take this statement seriously! • Language can be used to educate, enlighten, and fuel the flames of hatred.

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