The document discusses definitions of language from various sources. It provides definitions that view language as a systemic set of arbitrary symbols used for human communication within a community or culture. The definitions also note that language symbols can be vocal or visual. The document then discusses key aspects of language, including that it is a system that allows for combining smaller units into larger ones for communication purposes. It also notes language has multiple functions like social interaction and transmitting information. The document explores theories around the origin of language and physiological adaptations that enabled language development. It discusses language as having rules and patterns at various linguistic levels. It also addresses concepts like language universals, the innateness of language, and its creative aspects. In the end, it frames

1. Meeting 1

2. What is LANGUAGE?

3. Definitions of Language (Brown, H. Douglas
1994:4):
Language is a system arbitrary, vocal symbols which permit all
people in a given culture, or other people who have learned the
system of that culture, to communicate or to interact
(Finocchiaro 1964:8).
Language is a system of communication by sound, operating
through the organs of speech and hearing, among members of a
given community, and using vocal symbols processing arbitrary
conventional meanings (Pei 1966:141).
Language is any set or system of linguistic symbols as used in a
more or less uniform fashion by a number of people who are
thus enabled to communicate intelligibly with one another
(Random House Dictionary of the English Language 1966:806).

4. Language is a system of arbitrary vocal symbols used for human
communication (Wardhaugh 1972:3).
[Language is] any means, vocal or other, of expressing or
communicating feeling or thought…a system of
conventionalized signs, especially words, or gestures having
fixed meanings (Webster’s New International Dictionary of the English
Language 1934:1390).
[Language is] a systemic means of communicating ideas or
feelings by the use of conventionalized signs, sounds, gestures, or
marks having understood meanings (Webster’s New International
Dictionary of the English Language 1961:1270).

5. Any differences?

6. The definitions of language yield the following
composite definitions (Brown, H. Douglas
1994:5):
1. Language is a systemic and generative.
2. Language is a set of arbitrary symbols.
3. Those symbols are primarily vocal, but may also visual.
4. The symbols have conventionalized meanings to which they
5.
6.
7.
8.
refer.
Language is used for communication.
Language operates a speech community or culture.
Language is essentially human, although possibly not limited to
humans.
Language is acquired by all people in much the same way –
language and language learning both have universal
characteristics.

7. What is Language? (Thomas, Linda et al.
2004:5-9)
Language: a system
A systemic way of combining smaller units into larger units for the
purpose of communication.
Language: the potential to create new meanings
Example: unleaving
McDonalization
footballer
Language: multiple functions
There are some different purposes of language used all the time. The
use of language in some cases such as in recipes, assembly instructions
with self-assembly furniture, school textbooks, and directions, the
information must be clear, understandable and non ambiguous.

8. The Origin of Language
The divine source: there is the one that
provide someone with language.
The natural sound source:the language
comes from the imitation of sounds made
by the nature.
1.Bow-wow theory:Onomatopoeic
2.Yo-heave-ho theory

9. Oral-gesture source (pantomime):
specific connection between physical and
oral gesture.
Glossogenetics (specific biological
reforms unique to human beings):focuses
on the biological basis of formation and
development of human language.

10. Physiological adaptations such as:
Parts of human body work differently.
1. Upright teeth,intricate lips,small mouth
and flexible tongue
2. Lower larynx (voice box) leading to a
longer cavity (pharynx)

12. Lateralized brain: specialized functions in
each of the two hemispheres
Analytic functions-tool using and
language-in the left hemisphere

14. Linguistic functions:
1. Interactional function-social and
emotional interaction
2. Transactional function-transfer of
knowledge and information

15. The Rule of Language
Patterns of language-grammatical competence:
actual use of language (performance)
Syntax (ungrammatical is not permitted by the rules
of the language)
Phonology (following the sound pattern of
language)
Morphology (addresses word based on part of
speech)
Semantic (grammatically correct but strange in
meaning)
Pragmatic (deep structure to have more

16. Language Universals, Innateness,
and Creativity
Language Universals: language which are not
language-specific; will be found in all languages of
the world.
Diversity of Languages
Innateness: we are born with an inborn capacity for
language acquisition and genetically equipped to
learn language.
Creativity: the human beings can produce and
understand novel/unusual sentences and sometimes
new words.

17. Language as functioning to give
expression to our thought
(“language as a vehicle of thought”),
to transmit information (“the
communicative function”), or
perhaps to provide the raw material
for work of literature (“the narrative
function”).

18. Thank You