Properties of human language

Properties of Human language

1. 1
Properties of language
Assigned By:
DR. SHAHID NAWAZ
Faculty of English, I.U.B

2. Language
Asystem of communication that enables human to exchange verbal or
symbolic utterances. (Theory of Knowledge, Dr. Mark Burgin)
Itconsists of the development, acquisition, maintenance and use of
complex systems ofcommunication, particularly thehuman ability to
do so. (Wikipedia)
Language is a system of symbols that are meaningful and articulate
sound (generated by said tool) which are arbitrary and conventional,
which is used as a means of communicating by a group of human
beings to give birth to feelings and thoughts.z ( Wibowo)
Language is the expression of ideas by means of speech-sounds
combined into words. Words are combined into sentences, this
combination answering to that of ideas into thoughts.
(Language, an article by Henry Sweet)
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3. The Properties of
Human Language
Unique system of communication
Informative signals: signals which you have not
intentionally sent body language (sneeze, strange
accent )
Communicative signals: signals you use intentionally to
communicate something
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4. Properties of human language
Displacement
It means that human language can overcome
the limitations of time and space.
•Human language refers to the past, present and
future-last night, at school, I’m flying to Paris next
week
•Abstract concepts: Thingsthat do not exist in real
life, e.g. superman, batman, Santa Claus
•Animal communication-No displacement.
immediate moment
•Exception: Bee language: dance routine to
communicate the location of nectar
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5. Properties of human language
Arbitrariness
Human linguistic signs do not have any
natural connection between its form
and meaning.
no natural connection between a
linguistic form and its meaning=
arbitrary relationship
Catin English and ہرِھin Arabic.
In animal communication-non arbitrary
a connection between the message and
the signal used to convey the message.
Consists of a fixed and limited set of
vocal forms
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6. Properties of human language
Productivity
The human ability to combine limited linguistic signs
to produce new sentences and expressions.
oHumans are capable of creating new expressions for
new objects-infinite
oa language user can manipulate his linguistic
resourcesopen-endedness
oAnimals have limited set of signals to choose from-
fixed reference
oCannot produce any new signals to describe novel
experiences
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7. Properties of human language
Cultural transmission
Human languages are passed down by the society in
which one lives and grows up.
We acquire language with other speakers not from
parental genes
The first language is acquired in a culture
A Pakistani child living in UK.
Language passes from one generation to another
Animal communicative signals are produced
instinctively.
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8. Properties of human language
Duality
Human language can be both spoken and written. Even the
languages do not have alphabet can be written down using
symbols. Contrary to it animal languages are only spoken.
Two levels: distinct sound & distinct meaning
Physical level: when we produce individual sounds e.g. n, b, i.
Meaning level: when we produce sounds in combination e.g.: nib,
bin
Economical feature
Animal communicative signals appear to be fixed
Typically cannot be broken into parts-meow is not m+e+o+w, woof
is not w+o+o+f
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9. Properties of human language
Other Properties:
Vocal-Auditory Channel :Producing sounds by vocal organs and
perceiving them by ears.
Reciprocity:A Speaker/read can also be a listener/ receiver.
Specialization: Language is used linguistically.
Non-Directionality:Unseen but heard messages can be picked up by
anyone.
Rapid fade :Linguistic signals are produced and disappeared quickly.
Discreteness:This refers to the uniqueness of the sounds used in
human languages. Every language uses a set of different sounds. Each of
these sounds is different from the rest and is combined to form new
meanings. Individual sounds can change meaning. e.g. pack-back , bin-
pin. But animal languages do not have this feature of discreteness.
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10. THANKS
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Prepared By: Abdul Wahid