ENGL 111 LESSON 1-2 powerpoint presentation

Introduction to Linguistics

1. INTRODUCTION TO LINGUISTICS

2. OBJECTIVES discuss the scientific study of language in relevance to language teaching, learning, and benefits to community and society; differentiate the views on language study in order to explain further possible language origins and language teaching methods; explain the theories of language; identify the different communicative competence

3. LINGUISTICS AS THE SCIENCE OF LANGUAGE

4. LINGUISTICS Linguistics is defined as the scientific study of human natural language, involving the study of nature, structure and variation in language .

5. LINGUISTICS The term ‘science’ is used to define definition of general linguistics Linguistic study is carried out in systematic order Language study proceeds by methods which can be publicly communicated, described and justified by reference to stable principles and capable formed theory Sole purpose in this study is analysis of materials , making summarized general statements and relating rules and regularities of infinite varieties of language

6. SCIENCE Science is knowledge, as of facts or principles, knowledge gained by systematic study

7. Scientific Approaches in Linguistics OBJECTIVITY EMPIRICISM RATIONALISM

8. OBJECTIVITY Objectivity means judgement based on observable phenomena and uninfluenced by emotions or personal prejudices For a linguist there is no primitive, pure, beautiful, cultural and sophisticated language Objective study of language is hindered by various cultural, social and historical misconceptions about certain languages

9. EMPIRICISM Theory, that all knowledge is based on experience derived from the senses Empiricism in linguistics is empirical, it examines the specific data and proceeds by variables and justifiable Relies on observation and experiments, uses formalized principles and capable theory formulated, aims to analyse data and make generalizations

10. RATIONALISM knowledge that is prior to experience and that arises through reason emphasize the role that mind plays in the acquisition of knowledge Noam Chomsky argues , unless one assumes that certain linguistic structures, e.g., deep grammar, are innate, the argument goes, it is impossible to explain the apparent ease with which human beings learn natural languages

11. T hree Canons of S cience in Linguistics Exhaustiveness Consistency Economy

12. Exhaustiveness Linguistics deals with all relevant data, i.e. it analyses all the facts of languages that fall within its scope studies systematically every linguistic element from all angles.

13. Consistency allows no contradictory remarks or statements, requires that all parts of analysis be consistent with the whole both motivates and constrains the process of analogical learning in a usage- based grammar children learning a language, and speakers in general, represent linguistic units in ways that maximize their motivation and emphasize their commonalities

14. Economy repetition is not allowed either, and more economic statements containing fewer concepts or symbols are preferred Andre Martinet, studied and analysed the principle of economy in linguistics, testing its manifold applications in both phonology and syntax.

15. DEFINITION OF LANGUAGE ACCORDING TO LINGUISTS

16. Edward Sapir was an American anthropologist-linguist, who is widely considered to be one of the most important figures in the development of the discipline of linguistics in the United States. Edward Sapir says: “Language is a purely human and non-instinctive method of communicating ideas emotions and desires by means of voluntarily produced symbols”.

17. Avram Noam Chomsky  is an American linguist, philosopher, historian and political activist. Sometimes called "the father of modern linguistics“. In the words of Chomsky: “language is a set of (finite or infinite) sentences, each finite in length and constructed out of a finite set of elements.”

18. R. A. Hall was an American Linguists. In the Words of Hall: “the institution whereby humans communicate and interact with each other by means of habitually used oral-auditory arbitrary symbols”.

19. Bernard Bloch and George L. Trager were the American Linguists. In their Outline of Linguists Analysis Bloch and Trager wrote: “ A language is a system of arbitrary vocal symbols by means of which a social group co-operates”.

20. Leonard Bloomfield was an American linguist who led the development of structural linguistics in the United States during the 1930s and the 1940s.  Bloomfield says: “the situation in which the speaker utters it and the response which it calls forth in the hearer.”

21. VIEWS AND OVERVIEW ON THEORIES IN LANGUAGE STUDY

22. Theories In Language Learning Behaviorist Innatist /Nativist Cognitivist Interactionist

23. Behaviorist B.F. Skinner / Burrhus Frederic Skinner proposed the theory on Behaviorism A child learns the language by imitation, practice, reinforcement, and habit formation.

24. Innatist / Nativist The Nativist Theory is based on Noam Chomsky's theory that the brain has a specialized device that does the processing and utilization of language. This theory holds that children learn through their natural ability to organize the laws of language, but cannot fully utilize this talent without the presence of other humans. (KENPRO, 2010)

25. Cognitivist The Cognitive Theory of language acquisition was first made in the late 20th century, influenced by the pioneering work of Swiss psychologist Jean Piaget. This theory emphasizes the role of cognitive processes like memory, attention and problem-solving in language learning journey.

26. Cognitivist In other words, it says that to speak a language you don’t just need words and grammar; it also important to have meaningful and engaging experiences.

27. Interactionist The Interactionist theory focuses on how parents modify the way they communicate with their children through simplification and annunciation ( Schacter , Gilbert, Wegner, & Nock, 2014).

28. Interactionist This theory pays more attention to the 'how' of language development. The interactionist theory approaches language development with the idea in mind that language is developed through influences from both the environment, biology, as well as the context in which language is learned.

29. Communicative Competence It is the ability to achieve communicative goals in a socially appropriate manner. It includes the following: Linguistic Sociolinguistic D iscourse S trategic

30. Linguistic Competence Knowing how to use the grammar, syntax and vocabulary of a language. “what words do I use?”, “How do I put them into phrases and sentences?”

31. Sociolinguistic Competence Knowing how to use and respond to language appropriately, given the setting, the topic and the relationships among the people communicating. “which words and phrases fit this setting and this topic?” “how can I express a specific attitude (courtesy, friendliness, authority, respect) when I need to?” “how do I know what attitude another person is expressing?”

32. Discourse Competence Knowing how to interpret the larger context and how to construct longer stretches of language so that the parts make up a coherent whole. “how are words, phrases and sentences put together to create conversations, speeches, email, messages, new papers, articles?”

33. Strategic Competence Knowing how to recognize and repair communication breakdowns, how to work around gaps in one’s knowledge on the language, and how to learn more about the language in the context. “how do I know if I’ve misunderstood or when someone has misunderstood me? What do I say then? How can I express my ideas if I don’t know the name of something or the right verb form to use?”

34. Thanks!