1 / 10

Unlocking the Secrets of Linguistics: Language, Communication, and Culture

Explore the fascinating world of linguistics, from the symbolic nature of language to the intricacies of communication in human and animal kingdoms. Delve into the significance of preserving languages and the social aspects of linguistic development. Discover the remarkable complexity of human language through historical figures like Helen Keller and sociological examples. Compare and contrast human and animal communication systems to unveil the unique capabilities of human language.

evonne
Télécharger la présentation

Unlocking the Secrets of Linguistics: Language, Communication, and Culture

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. Linguistics One of several things that separates us from the animals. Sort of.

  2. First, Wade Davis Reading • Things to look for: • What is meant by “over half of the intellectual legacy of humanity”? • How many languages has the world seen? How many are currently viable? • What are the only viable native languages in the U.S. and Canada? • Look for comparisons between language and biology • Should the loss of languages concern us?

  3. Communication and Language • One of the most significant human developments • Contemplate the extreme complexity of human language • No really, contemplate it, now!

  4. Some extreme examples . . . • Helen Keller • Struck deaf and blind by childhood illness • Learns by teacher spelling into her palm – W-A-T-E-R  once understanding, was able to learn very rapidly • “. . . I saw everything with a strange, new sight . . .” • Compare to conceptualization of words • Anna and Isabelle – Sociology story – highlights the social nature of humans • Necessity of communication in social development

  5. Communication • Agreement, conscious or otherwise, to call something something • Old Giesenism about cats and boogers • We could just as easily have called a cat a booger and then say, “I have a pet booger.” • Colors • Pretty much literally anything that has a word • Words have their meaning due to agreements by the speakers of a language that it should be so

  6. Communication cont’d • Idea of agreement between speakers works for other forms of language • Body language for example • Key is all language is SYMBOLIC

  7. Symbolic Nature of Language • Has meaning even when referent is not present • “cat” still means “cat” even when a “cat” isn’t present • Meaning is arbitrary (except with onomatopoeia) • Meaning is not necessarily inferred in word alone • Context clues, universal understanding

  8. Animal Language • Language/Communication not remotely only the realm of humans • Body Language • Bees dance, wolves use posture • Odor • Marking territory, “Life/Death Chemicals” in ants (necrophoresis, or cleaning out of dead members of a society) – sweet link • Sound • Bird song, angry squirrel growling

  9. Full-on Symbolic Verbal Language? • Vervet Monkeys • At least three different calls for different threats • Eagles, pythons, leopards • Monkeys react differently depending on which call is used • Look skyward for “eagle” for example • Show active teaching/learning

  10. Key differences between animal kingdom and human language • Human complexity – ambiguity possible • Typical animal language is “closed” system • Different “words” or sounds are not combined in meaningful ways to make more complex “words” • Human systems are “open” • EXAMPLES???

More Related