CH 4: Language Origins

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CH 4 Language Origins Acquisition

• READ 321/22
• Dr. Schneider

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OBJECTIVES You will learn

• how to define language
• what the essential components and functions of
  language are
• how the English language came to be so complex

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Components Functions of Language

• Language is a system that helps us communicate
  with each other orally, visually, and in print.
• Each component has a function in context.
• A.Grammatically
• E.g., parts of speech NOUN can have the function
  of a subject or an object
• Subject The shoe is too tight. (WHO/WHAT
  is/has/acts?)
• Object I cant find my shoe!(WHAT can you not
  find?)

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Components Functions of Language

• B) Semantically-socially. According to
  Halliday(70s/80s), we use language to
• (1) satisfy needs INSTRUMENTAL FUNCTION
• (2) make individual statement PERSONAL
• (3) create imaginary environment IMAGINARY
• (4) give information to others INFORMATIVE
• (5) execute control REGULATORY
• (6) foster, facilitate social interaction
  INTER-
• ACTIONAL
• (7) explore reasons for environmental facts
• HEURISTIC
  (p.119)

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Components of Language

• Language contains a system of
• (1) SOUNDS gt Phonology
• English has 44 sounds that represent 26 letters
• Phonemes are smallest sound units in language
  that differentiate meanings of words (P-et vs.
  N-et)
• (2) ARRANGEMENT gt Syntax
• Addresses the organization of words to produce
  questions, exclamations

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Components of Language

• (3) MEANING gt Semantics
• Addresses vocabulary prefixes-roots-suffixes
• Which are MORPHEMES,smallest units carrying
  meaning
• Addresses grammarPlural ending, tense endings
  (-ed, -ing, -er, -est), also morphemes
• Addresses homonyms, antonyms, synonyms,
  connotations of words (context in which to use
  them properly)

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Components of Language

• (4) Arbitrary relationship of SOUND and PRINT
  phonology-orthography
• More than one print pattern can represent a
  soundLong A-sound has 8 spellings (a, a-e, ai,
  ay, eigh, ei, ey, ea), oy-sound has 2 spellings
  (oi, -oy)
• More than one sound can represent one print
  pattern
• (5) INTONATION to express meaning
• Anxiety, joy, sadness question, exclamation

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Components of Language

• (6) PRAGMATICS gt choice of dialect, vocabulary,
  intonation, non-verbal gestures that are
  culturally appropriate for a situation to result
  in a successful communication.
• all verbal and non-verbal triggers one can pull
  in an oral/written conversation to get what s/he
  wants

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Definition of Language

• There are MANY WAYS to define LANGUAGE.
• What is its overall purpose?
• How would you tell a child what it is?

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Definition of Language

• How would you define language using your new
  knowledge?

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The Origin of English and its complexity

• The spelling system and vocabulary of English
  reflect its history.
• English has a very large vocabulary with distinct
  CONNOTATIONS for words within a context (e.g.,
  pretty, nice, handsome, cute)
• The spelling system is very complex with up to 8
  spellings per sound.gt non-transparent
• BECCAUSE ENG IS A LINGUISTIC MELTING POT

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The Origin of English and its complexity

• Main Influences during 4 periods
• PRE-HISTORIC VIKINGS (sk- words)
• OLD ENGLISH PERIOD(449-1066)
• GERMAN (basic Anglican vocabulary house, mother,
  father, food, blood, brother, bread, milk, mouse,
  cow)
• ROMAN-GREEK (Roman Empire) (600BC)
• -tion, -sion, -cian words
• Prefix-root-suffix words
• Words with C inside pronounced as K

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The Origin of English and its complexity

• MIDDLE ENGLISH PERIOD
• (1066-1500)
• FRENCH (Norman Conquest)
• Food and military vocabulary, lots of todays
  non-phonetic words (menu, colonel)
• MODERN ENGLISH PERIOD w/ Shakespeare
  (1500-present)
• Spanish (fiesta), Italian (pizza,
• German (philosophy zeitgeist, psychology angst,
  kindergarten)