How Language Is The Right And Who Is Wrong

Too view language as if it were an object devoid of its social context would not be seeing language for its creation and use, language is used at its full potential when spoken, language is so important to humans, we use language to express, to think and communicate within the world we live. Language has changed over time, it is thought that at one time we had one original language that was spoken, and “as different human groups spread across the world and communicated only with each other, the original language changed in different ways in different places” (Gee, P,. & Hayes, E. (2011). pg 8), because of these changes, and socialisation of different humans, we now have many diverse human languages. Language has changed and will continue to

It is apparent that in our world, humans are the only species to have developed language to such a great length. However it is still unknown why, and of what cause, we created and learn language the way we do that language amongst humans is universal despite the 7,000 different languages spoken.

On the other hand Nativists believe that language acquisition is a biological occurrence. Their theories confirm that important aspects of children’s linguistic knowledge are not acquired, but innate (Ambridge B, 2011). Their theories emphasise the structure of the human brain and how it obtains and uses language. Social Critic Noam Chomsky proposed that children are born with the ability to generate grammar (Dulay, H. 1982). This emphasises nativist’s theories and promotes nature to be the dominant role.

Language is the most distinctive feature we have as humans. Linguistic anthropologist look at the relationship of specific languages to their cultures”(Parks, 2014). Language isn't just words but also hand gestures, symbols and body language. Hand gestures are usually called “American sign language”. Body language can often let us know if someone is upset, happy, uncertain, afraid and angry. There are about 6000 or more spoken languages in the world right now. Linguistic anthropologist study things by using field methods. They use material observation the most as they are interested in written records. Written records show us the breakthrough in the evolution of language. They focus on “locating, recovery, preservation, dating and analysis of material remains”(Parks, 2014). They locate items that can lead us to understanding how language evolved over time. According to findings, homo sapiens were amongst the first of our species to speak a language. It was said to appear between 30,000 and 100,000 years ago. “Here is where I throw in natural selection and the theory of evolution. Natural selection is the notion that the specific physical traits of a population make that population more likely to survive it's environment.” Language needed to evolve because humans needed to be able to communicate with one another.

As nonhuman primates seem to be able to communicate meaningful messages, the question arises whether our ancestors developed language from a similar state.

Lifespan development is a field of study that examines patterns of growth, change, and stability in behavior that occur throughout the entire life span. The purpose of field being that one can determine the average maturation levels both physically and mentally in humans being born today (Feldman, 2006). This paper will delve into the human development of a twenty-one year old fictional character named Sara Jones, in a way that is similar to people who are living today. Sara’s life will be explained and discussed from prenatal development through newborn and preschool up until middle childhood and adolescence. Although she is a fictional character her stages of development will be presented in a way that is probable for a young

Language is not about the actual words we say, but what we mean by them. While reading Amy Tan’s article, I found it to be very interesting and somewhat sad. Though I could not relate to the text directly, I understood the hardships of the English language. She is fascinated by the English language and speaks of the different types of English that she uses. The type of English she uses with her mother is completely unalike to that in what she uses when she delivers lengthy speeches. While I do have a few agreements and some disagreement, she does make multiple arguments to describe the variations; languages between family and outside of family, expression, and perception.

Language is a communicative system of words and symbols unique to humans. The origins of language are still a mystery as fossil remains cannot speak. However, the rudiments of language can be inferred through studying linguistic development in children and the cognitive and communicative abilities of primates as discussed by Bridgeman (2003). This essay illustrates the skills infants have that will eventually help them to acquire language. The topics covered are firstly, the biological aspects, the contribution of the human brain to language development? Secondly, key theories of language development will be considered. Is the development innate? Is there a critical period? Thirdly, what must be learned? What are the rudiments infants must

Most animals communicate with one another non-verbally, for example some bee species have very specific and evolved ways of communicating with each other about the location and quality of food (Winston, 1987, p. 25) or the emperor penguin which uses an intricate set of calls that are very vital for individual recognition between parents, offspring, and mates, demonstrating a very wide range of individual calls from all the penguins (Williams 1995, p. 68). As all these forms of communication appear to be very natural to the species they are relevant to, it suggests they are easily developed and learnt through the social context the being is in. Perhaps this means that these forms of communication are innately predisposed to the specific species, which would surely mean language to be innately governed within humans as it’s our way of communication. However one cannot really compare the communications of animals to humans as the humans have a much greater mental capacity than that of any other species. Although other species can communicate, the

The claim, humans are the only animal that can acquire language has been the subject of much debate as scientists have investigated language use by non-human species. Researchers have taught apes, monkeys, parrots and wild children with various systems of human-like communication. Thus, one might ask, what is human language? According to Ulla Hedeager, A universally accepted definition of language or the criteria for its use does not exist. This is one of the reasons for the disagreement among scientists about whether non-human species can use a language. In nature, researchers find numerous types of communication systems, several of which appear to be unique to their possessors, and one of them is the language of the human species. Basically, the purpose of communication is the preservation, growth, and development of the species (Smith and Miller 1968:265). The ability to exchange information is shared by all communication systems, and a number of non-human systems share some features of human language. The fundamental difference between human and non-human communication is that animals are believed to react instinctively, in a stereotyped and predictable way. Generally, human behavior is under the voluntary control,

Speech, language, is the ‘most noble and profitable invention of all other’ according to Thomas Hobbes (1985, 100). I would concur with his view. Language is one of the strongest notions that sets us apart from other species. We evolved from using simple gestures and sounds into composing complex expressed usages of vocals and symbols. Language, with the passage of time, transformed into the numerous styles that we have today. Humans have yet to reach capacity with language for it is always evolving, expanding our view of our world.

Linguistics has impacted cognitive psychology as the quest to understand language acquisition and the structure of language itself is undertaken. Linguistics is a complex and multifaceted; it includes language structural patterns and language development (Barsalou, 2005). The process of language development is complicated and dense, as the study of language is examined; the role of cognition is inherently examined and analyzed. Sternberg (2006) also explores language as an innate process and presents the idea that humans are born ready for language as a biological and cognitive process.

Humans like to speak our minds. And the language in which we speak is unique, when compared to the communication between animals. Human language is a complex communication system consisting of the creation, acquisition, and development of sound patterns using complex motor control. Though how is it that we can do this? What makes humans so different from other animals, even those genetically close to us such as Neanderthals, that we are able to speak and comprehend complex syntax. Turns out, the answer could be more biological than we think: Involving our genes.

I do not think that language is considered solely a human characteristic. Yet, it is often associated with humans, and it is easier to see and understand how humans communicate than other animals. The first and most common type of communication is the use of your voice. Simply humans use their voice to speak their feelings so others can hear them. Even the tone of someone's voice can change how a message is perceived. The Second type of language is the ability to sign. Sign language is

Language is a natural multifaceted ability that links the human race, serving purposeful functions through its diversity for baby, child and adult. The way in which humans acquire language is a phenomenon. Gee and Hayes (2011, p. 8) speak of language being something that is natural and develops as a fundamental property of each person 's humanity. This innate ability of communication is present in even the youngest of humans and develops just as a child’s other domains. The diverseness of language is illimitable and comes in the form of being multi-model in delivery in addition to being substantial in variety. The abundance of world languages is a testimony to the sheer diversity that exists. Diverseness, however, is not just prominent through the variance of world languages, rather, the profound differences come from within these languages, through the variations of dialect, style and register. Whether standard, diverse, seen, heard, felt or thought, language serves as a functional life skill for humans of all ages. Action and voice are expressive tools of language allowing it to be seen and heard. Visually, communication can occur through signing, body language, facial expression and text. Each is a powerful form of language that aids the communicative process. Body language, such as arms folded across the chest or the tilt of a head; enable the listener to tune in on the mood of the speaker based upon their physical actions. The presence of facial expressions, moreover,