LanguageDefinitionLanguage and BiologyLanguageNicaragua Sign LanguageANTY 101d 1st Edition Lecture 2Language Definition-A system of communication using sounds or gestures that are put together in a meaningful way, according to rules -Language is symbolic • Arbitrary sounds of sound• Nothing essentially tree like about a tree. The word symbolizes the object• Learned; varies by culture (determines what we hear!)-Signals (non-arbitrary)• Crying or screaming; self evident meanings • Primate vocalizations; not rule-bound like language Language and Biology -FoxP2 Gene-Brain-LarynxLanguage-Tower of BabelThese notes represent a detailed interpretation of the professor’s lecture. GradeBuddy is best used as a supplement to your own notes, not as a substitute.-‘Adamic’ view of language• Language represents reality-Names things that exist -Nay, creating new things with language, such as fun• Creating our own reality -Can’t say ‘fun’ in Russian • Happiness and Luck not the same thing as having fun-Ferdinand de Saussure, French linguist• Langue: structure; written down and organized • Parole: Language in action -Us talking to each other-Language exists between people; communication -The worlds in which different societies live are district worlds, not merely the same world with different labels attached- Edward Sapir, 1949 Nicaragua Sign Language-Deaf children in Managua, video clip-hat can we learn about human language?-Window to learn language; up to age 10-Requores social interactions-Biological propensity to organize
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