This document discusses language and communication. It covers the nature and development of language, including that language is a symbolic system of sounds that convey meaning when put together. It also discusses the diversity of languages, with approximately 6,000 existing, and examples like Indo-European and Amerind languages. The structure of language is also examined, looking at the building blocks of phonology and grammar, including morphology and syntax. Finally, it briefly touches on language and culture, and nonverbal communication norms that vary across cultures.

1. Language and Communication
1. Nature and Development of
Language
2. Structure of Language
3. Language and Culture
4. Nonverbal Communication

2. Nature and Development of
Language
• Nature of Language-a symbolic system
of sounds that when put together a
certain way convey meaning.
• Some words have totally arbitrary
meaning.
– *i.e. Cow-doesn't have anything to do with
four-footed animal that gives milk.

3. Diversity of Language
• Linguists estimate that approximately
6,000 discrete languages exist.
• Examples:
– Indo-European 150 languages.
– Amerind over 600 languages

4. Indo-European

5. Amerind

6. Communication-
Human vs. Non-human
• Open and Closed Systems
– Open system-humans can put different
sounds together to make new meanings.
Infinite amount of messages.
– Closed system-when an animal cannot
combine elements of two or more calls in
order to develop a new call.
• Displacement
– human characteristic to convey
information about a thing or event that is
not immediately present.

7. Teaching non-human primates sign
language.
• Chimpanzees
– http://www.cwu.edu/~cwuchci/bios/main_bio.htm
• Gorillas
– http://www.koko.org/friends/index.html
• Also, bonobos (pygmy chimps) computer
communication skills.
– http://www.gsu.edu/~wwwlrc/biographies/pbpz.htm

8. Development of Language
• Early Hypotheses-
– Egyptian pharaoh reared two infants without letting
them hear any voices, figured they would speak original
language.
– King James IV of Scotland tried the same thing and
said thy spoke hebrew-go along with biblical scholars.
– Swedish philospher of 17th century believed otherwise.
In the Garden of Eden-God spoke Swedish, Adam and
Eve spke Danish, and the serpent spoke French.

9. Development of Language
• Scientific hypotheses-
– Human language requires that the larynx
be farther down in the throat than other
primates.
– Archaeologically this is hard to preserve,
muscle and cartilidge.
– Broca's area of the brain-sets speech
aparatus in motion.

10. Evolution of speech
• Very gradual, but probably came with
H. Erectus (ca. 1mya) for several
reasons.
– position of larynx assoc with flexion at
base of skull, skull with flat base assoc
with high larynx as in primates.
• Australopithecus-flat base, H. habilis
not enough evidence, H. erectus some
flexion, Archaic H. sapiens full flexion.

11. Structure of Language
• Building blocks of language-phonology and
grammar.
• Phonology-sounds of a language, individual
sounds are called phonemes.
• Grammar-rules unique to each language.
Governed by two aspects: Morphology and
Syntax.
– Morphology-the combination of phonemes to
form meaningful units. These units are
morphemes-the smallest units of speech that
convey meaning.
– Syntax-the principles guiding how these words
are arranged into phrases and sentences.

12. Language and Culture
• Culture influences language-particularly with
vocabularly, any language will emphasize
important words.
• Language influences culture-or even
determines a culture, actually shapes our
thoughts and perceptions.
– Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis
• Sociolinguistics
– The study of how people speak to one another in
any given society. The relationship between
language and social structure.
– Diglossia
– Dialects

13. Nonverbal
Communication
• Hand Gestures-we use them everyday,
gesturing while we're talking or pointing.
Some are cross-cultural, others are not-
such as OK symbol.
• Eye Contact-varies from culture to culture.
U.S./Japan/Arabic groups
• Touching-Some cultures are high-touch,
while others are low-touch. High-touch=E.
Europeans, Jews, and Arabs. Low-touch=N.
Europeans such as Germans and
Scandinavians.

14. American Gestures
• COMMON GESTURES
– Americans are a not touch (touch/not touch)oriented.
– In normal social situations, Americans generally stand
about 30 inches apart from one another, which is also
considered their personal "comfort zone."
– At sporting events or the theater, Americans usually
slide into a crowded aisle while facing forward
(forward/the people).

15. RIGHT, WRONG, OR RUDE
• Handshake - Although generally adopted around the world. Southeast Asians press
together; Japanese bow; Middle Easterners and many Asians favor a gently grip.
• DIRECT EYE CONTACT - Asians, Puerto Ricans, West Indians, African American,
Native Americans considered it to be rude, or disrespectful, or intimidating, or may
indicate sexual overtones.
• WAVING - "No" to most Europeans. Europeans raise the arm and "Bob" the hand up
and down at the wrist."
• BECKONING - Europeans and Asians raise the arm, palm facing down, and make a
scratching motion with fingers. In Australia and in Indonesia, curling the index finger is
used for beckoning animals.
• "V" FOR VICTORY--In England, palm facing inward toward the face is an obscene
gesture.
• THE O.K GESTURE--In France it means zero. In Japan it means money or coins. In
Brazil, Germany, and the former USSR., it is obscene gesture.
• THUMBS UP --Also used for hitch-hiking in American. In Nigeria a rude gesture. In
Australia, if pumped up and down is an obscene gesture. In Germany and Japan, the
signal for "one."
• WHISTLING--Throughout Europe, whistling at public events is a signal of disapproval,
even derision.
• NODDING AND SHAKING HEAD--Opposite meaning in Bulgaria, parts of Greece,
Yugoslavia, Turkey, Iran, and Bengal.