Observations on the Nature of Language (2024)

Language—more specifically human language—refers to the grammar and other rules and norms that allow humans to make utterances and sounds in a way that others can understand, notes linguistJohn McWhorter, an associate professor of English and comparative literature at Columbia University. Or as Guy Deutscher said in his seminal work, "The Unfolding of Language:An Evolutionary Tour of Mankind's Greatest Invention," language is "what makes us human." Discovering what is language, then, requires a brief look at its origins, its evolution through the centuries, and its central role in human existence and evolution.

Greatest Invention

If language is mankind's greatest invention, it is supremely ironic that it was actually never invented. Indeed, both Deutscherand McWhorter, two of the world's most renowned linguists, say the origin of language remains as much as mystery today as it was in biblical times.

No one, says Deutscher, has come up with a better explanation than the tale of theTower of Babel,one of the saddest and most significant stories in the Bible. In the biblical fable, God—seeing that people of the earth had become skilled in construction and had decided to build anidolatrous tower, indeed an entire city, in ancientMesopotamiathat stretched to the heavens—infused the human race with a myriad of tongues so that they could no longer communicate, and could no longer build a massive edifice that would replace the almighty.

If the tale is apocryphal, its meaning is not, as Deutscher notes:

"Language often seems so skilfully drafted that one can hardly imagine it as anything other than the perfected handiwork of a master craftsman. How else could this instrument make so much out of three dozen measly morsels of sound? In themselves, these configurations of the mouth—But, if you run these sounds "through the cogs and wheels of the language machine," says Deutscher, arrange them in some special way and define how they are be ordered by rules ofgrammar, you suddenly have language, something that an entire group of people can understand and use to communicate—and indeed to function and a viable society.

Chomskyan Linguistics

If language's mysterious origin sheds little light on its meaning, it can be helpful to turn to Western society's most renowned—and even controversial—linguist: Noam Chomsky. Chomsky is so famous that an entire subfield of linguistics (the study of language) has been named after him. Chomskyian linguistics is abroad term for the principles oflanguageand the methods of language study introduced and/or popularized by Chomskyin such groundbreaking works as "Syntactic Structures"(1957) and "Aspects of the Theory of Syntax" (1965).

But, perhaps Chomsky's most relevant work for a discussion on language is his 1976 paper, "On the Nature of Language." In it, Chomsky directly addressed the meaning of language in a way that foreshadowed the later assertions ofDeutscherand McWhorter.

"The nature of language is considered as a function of knowledge attained...[T]he language faculty may be regarded as a fixed function, characteristic of the species, one component of the human mind, a function which maps experience into grammar."

In other words, language is all at once a tool and the mechanism that determines how we relate to the world, to each other, and, even to ourselves. Language, as noted, is what makes us human.

Expressions of Humanity

Famed American poet and existentialist, Walt Whitman, said that language is the sum total of all that humans experience as a species:

"Language is not an abstract construction of the learned, or of dictionary makers, but is something arising out of the work, needs, ties, joys, affections, tastes, of long generations of humanity, and has its bases broad and low, close to the ground."

Language, then, is the sum of all human experience since the beginning of humankind. Without language, humans would be unable to express their feelings, thoughts, emotions, desires, and beliefs. Without language, there could be no society and possibly no religion.

Even if God's wrath at the building of the Tower of Babel led to a plethora of tongues throughout the world, the fact is that they are still tongues, languages that can be deciphered, studied, translated, written, and communicated.

Computer Language

As computers communicate with humans—and with each other—the meaning of language may soon change. Computers "talk" through the use ofprogramming language. Like human language, computer language is a system of grammar, syntax, and other rules that allow humans to communicate with their PCs, tablets, and smartphones, but also allows computers to communicate with other computers.

Asartificial intelligencecontinues to advance to a point where computers can communicate with each other without the intervention of humans, the very definition of language may need to evolve also. Language will still always be what makes us human, but it may also become the tool that allows machines to communicate, express needs and wants, issue directives, create, and produce through their own tongue. Language, would then, become something that was initially produced by humans but then evolves to a new system of communication—one that has little or no connection to human beings.

Observations on the Nature of Language (2024)

FAQs

What do you know about the nature of language? ›

Our language is symbolic, meaning it is made up of symbols. A symbol is something that stands for something else. The symbols that we use stand in for something else, like a physical object or idea; they do not actually correspond to the thing in any direct way.

What is observation in language learning? ›

The thesis of this chapter is that language, like many other complex skills, is acquired in part through the process of observational learning. In observational learning, one person's behavior (the model's) is witnessed by a second person (the observer).

What is the language of observation? ›

Observation language: a language that does not use any terms of a theory and therefore would be neutral, is taken to be impossible by most authors. See also experiments, theoretical terms, theoretical entities, theories, descriptions.

What are the three views about the nature of language? ›

Richards and Rodgers (1986) treat the nature of language based on three major areas: these are such as the structural view of language, the communicative view of language, and the interactional view of language.

What is the language of nature? ›

The language of nature is a language that transcends words, which makes it difficult for us to comprehend. For many people, the idea that nature communicates with us through plants, water, or rocks is a radical notion.

What are the elements that make up the nature of language? ›

These include morphology, syntax, semantics, pragmatics and phonology. Morphology is the study of word structure. It describes how words are formed out of more basic elements of language called morphemes. A morpheme is the smallest meaningful unit of a language.

What is an example of language observation? ›

If you are concerned (or a parent is concerned) with a child's language or speech, take notes that reflect these concerns. Example, a child does not seem to say a "d" sound. She may say "ee-yog" instead of "dog". Observe words that have the letter "d" in it.

What is a language sample observation? ›

A language sample records the language used in an interaction and can include both verbal and non-verbal communication. You can use a transcription of a video or an audio recording of the interaction.

Why is it important to observe language? ›

Speaking, writing and reading are integral to everyday life, where language is the primary tool for expression and communication. Studying how people use language – what words and phrases they unconsciously choose and combine – can help us better understand ourselves and why we behave the way we do.

What are some examples of observations? ›

Scientific observations can occur in a lab setting or the natural world. For example, watching an apple fall from a tree could be an observation. Noticing that fish only come to a particular part of the river in the early morning is also an observation. Smelling garbage decomposing is another example of observation.

What is an example of observational learning language? ›

An example of observational learning of discriminative context (and topography) may be seen when a child is able to correctly name a real helicopter after having been exposed to pictures of helicopters and the word helicopter during picture-book reading with parents.

What is observation short answer? ›

Observation is the action or process of carefully watching someone or something. ...careful observation of the movement of the planets. [ + of] In hospital she'll be under observation all the time. Synonyms: watching, study, survey, review More Synonyms of observation.

What is the nature of a language? ›

Nature of Language. A language consists of words, idioms and syntax. It is through language that we think, feel, judge and express. Hence language is one of the most important and characteristic form of human behaviour we use words and idioms as tool to perform and share experience among a people possible.

What are the three parts of the nature of language? ›

There are three major components of language. These components are form, content, and use. Form involves three sub-components of syntax, morphology, and phonology. Content is also known as semantics and use is also known as pragmatics.

What are the 3 main purposes of language? ›

The primary uses of language are informative, expressive, and directive in nature. Language is used to reason, to express ideas, argue a point, provide directions, and much more. Let's learn about the three main uses of language and how they are represented in written and spoken language.

What do you know about natural language? ›

In neuropsychology, linguistics, and philosophy of language, a natural language or ordinary language is any language that occurs naturally in a human community by a process of use, repetition, and change without conscious planning or premeditation.

What is the nature theory of language? ›

Nativism. The linguist Noam Chomsky is a believer in the nature approach to language, arguing that human brains contain a Language Acquisition Device that includes a universal grammar that underlies all human language (Chomsky, 1965, 1972).

What does the nature of language depend on? ›

Nature of Language

Arbitrariness: Language is, quite intriguingly, arbitrary. The connection between words and their meanings isn't rooted in logic or inherent truth. Instead, it arises from the consensus and conventions within a linguistic community.

Top Articles
FF1 Chapter 14 Fire Suppression IFSTA Question and answers verified to pass
IFSTA Ch. 13 - Tactical Ventilation Question and answers verified to pass
Cranes For Sale in United States| IronPlanet
It's Official: Sabrina Carpenter's Bangs Are Taking Over TikTok
Pangphip Application
Toyota gebraucht kaufen in tacoma_ - AutoScout24
Apply A Mudpack Crossword
Barstool Sports Gif
Chase Claypool Pfr
Joe Gorga Zodiac Sign
Employeeres Ual
Craigslistdaytona
Koop hier ‘verloren pakketten’, een nieuwe Italiaanse zaak en dit wil je ook even weten - indebuurt Utrecht
Ally Joann
Lawson Uhs
Mahpeople Com Login
Huntersville Town Billboards
Account Suspended
Airrack hiring Associate Producer in Los Angeles, CA | LinkedIn
Quadcitiesdaily
Myhr North Memorial
Purdue 247 Football
Www Va Lottery Com Result
Makemv Splunk
Account Now Login In
2023 Ford Bronco Raptor for sale - Dallas, TX - craigslist
Happy Shuttle Cancun Review
R/Mp5
Vlacs Maestro Login
Missing 2023 Showtimes Near Grand Theatres - Bismarck
Missing 2023 Showtimes Near Mjr Southgate
Hattie Bartons Brownie Recipe
Marine Forecast Sandy Hook To Manasquan Inlet
Ark Unlock All Skins Command
All Things Algebra Unit 3 Homework 2 Answer Key
Pitco Foods San Leandro
Metro 72 Hour Extension 2022
Craigslist Com Panama City Fl
Sig Mlok Bayonet Mount
Luciane Buchanan Bio, Wiki, Age, Husband, Net Worth, Actress
Courses In Touch
Exam With A Social Studies Section Crossword
Pain Out Maxx Kratom
Uc Davis Tech Management Minor
Mychart University Of Iowa Hospital
How the Color Pink Influences Mood and Emotions: A Psychological Perspective
Caesars Rewards Loyalty Program Review [Previously Total Rewards]
Tìm x , y , z :a, \(\frac{x+z+1}{x}=\frac{z+x+2}{y}=\frac{x+y-3}{z}=\)\(\frac{1}{x+y+z}\)b, 10x = 6y và \(2x^2\)\(-\) \(...
Bluebird Valuation Appraiser Login
Autozone Battery Hold Down
Buildapc Deals
Https://Eaxcis.allstate.com
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Arielle Torp

Last Updated:

Views: 6464

Rating: 4 / 5 (41 voted)

Reviews: 80% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Arielle Torp

Birthday: 1997-09-20

Address: 87313 Erdman Vista, North Dustinborough, WA 37563

Phone: +97216742823598

Job: Central Technology Officer

Hobby: Taekwondo, Macrame, Foreign language learning, Kite flying, Cooking, Skiing, Computer programming

Introduction: My name is Arielle Torp, I am a comfortable, kind, zealous, lovely, jolly, colorful, adventurous person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.