Language & Linguistics

Language exists for us all - Phonemics (emic)

Linguistics exists for the analyzer - Phonetics (etic)

What is the role of language?

• In transmitting ideas
• In transmitting culture
• In shaping our views of the world

Characteristics of Language

• Symbolic – arbitrary association of sounds
• Displacement – able to communicate things not present
• Productivity – join words in infinite meaningful combinations
• Duality of patterning – the use of  a relatively small number of units of sound to combine and create transmit meaning to words

Language Uniquely Human?

• Other animals are able to communicate – generally use call systems (signal systems)
• Apes capable of learning ASL and show understanding

Two levels of study     
Language itself

• Sounds – components of language
  • phonetics distinguishing the sounds that comprise a language
  • Phonemics analyze use of sounds to produce meaning
• Sociolinguistics – relationship of language and culture

What does language show us about a society?

• Words – reflect what is of importance
• Words – reflect values
• Metaphors – does that affect our worldview?

A good site
http://anthro.palomar.edu/language/Default.htm

Does Language Determine or Shape our perception of the world?

• Animal sounds
  • http://www.georgetown.edu/faculty/ballc/animals/animals.html
• What does our use of language reflect about us?
• No offense intended
  • http://www.thewebshite.net/blogpages/george_bush_spindoctor.htm