Linguistics
Table of Contents
What is Linguistics?
Linguistics is the study of language. Language can be observed and studied like any other natural phenomenon
Language is a unique area to study because to study it we need to use it. This means we observe and study a lot of linguistics without needing any (fancy) equipment, because language is something we already know and is around us, but this also means that we need to be really precise about cultivating our meta-linguistic awareness
Meta-Linguistic Awareness
Meta-linguistic awareness is the ability to consciously reflect on the nature of language
To precisely cultivate meta-linguistic awareness we need to test and examine our assumptions on how language works. To do this, linguistics have identified that language has a few key design features that distinguish a language from other ways of communicating
Key Design Features of Language
1 - Displacement
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2 - Duality of Patterning
The second key design feature is called Duality of Patterning, which is the idea that words are made up of two levels of structure. These two levels are:
Form is sounds or handshapes, e.g. /b/, /n/ and making an “O” with your hand using your thumb and index finger. These sounds and handshapes don’t have meaning on their own
Combination of Forms is the synthesis of forms to create meaning, e.g. when the sounds of /b/, /ʌ/, /n/ and /i/ come together to make /bʌni/, which is the pronunciation for the English word: bunny. Remember that these sounds can also be combined to make the pronunciation /nʌbi/, which would be the English word nubby. This is because it is the combination of sounds or handshapes (forms) that make the meaning, not the individual sounds or shapes themselves.
3 - The Arbitrariness of the Sign
There is on inherent connection between a word and the thing it refers to e.g. the English word ‘bunny’ has no inherent connection with the furry animal it refers to. Other sequences of sounds of handshapes (forms) like, conejo, kelinci, gavagai or The ASL for Bunny also refer to this animal
Definitions for Sign (1.A, 1.B and 1.C are three different ways of describing the same definition. 2 is a separate definition from 1):
- 1.A. A sign is anything (like a word) that communicates a meaning that is not the sign itself to the interpreter of the sign
- 1.B. Signs are references for things that exist in the world
- 1.C. A sign conveys a meaning that is beyond itself
The third key design feature is called The Arbitrariness of the Sign, which is the idea that the choice of which sign (particular word or set of smaller units of sounds or shapes) to use to references things that exist in the world is arbitrary because there is no specific reason why that particular sign was used
4 - Reflexivity
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Links
- Linguistics - Wikipedia
- Linguistics - Free Online Course (YouTube Playist) by CrashCourse - This is the course I am currently doing that gives a good overview and baseline understanding of linguistics. It is also free and on YouTube