Chapter one Invitations to Linguistics
Chapter one Invitations to Linguistics
The nature of language A definition, Language is human speech the ability to communicate by this means, a system of vocal sounds and combinations of such sounds to which meaning is attributed, used for the expression or communication of thoughts and feelings the written representation of such a system(Websters New World Dictionary)
The nature of language A definition: Language is human speech; the ability to communicate by this means; a system of vocal sounds and combinations of such sounds to which meaning is attributed, used for the expression or communication of thoughts and feelings; the written representation of such a system. (Webster's New World Dictionary)
What does it mean to know> a language? A knowing the sounds that are part of the Ige and those that are not; the strange pronunciation of the foreigner e.g. Bach ch German sound outside the English sound system eg this that: zis zat th is not french sound system. speaker's unconscious knowledge of that fact
What does it mean to “know’’ a language? A. knowing the sounds that are part of the lge and those that are not; the strange pronunciation of the foreigner e.g. Bach ch German sound outside the English sound system ,e.g. this that: zis zat th is not French sound system.speaker’s unconscious knowledge of that fact
B, knowing which sounds may start a word end a word and follow each other Ghana word: Nkrumah begins with ng sound, not present in English
B. knowing which sounds may start a word, end a word, and follow each other. Ghana word : Nkrumah begins with ng sound , not present in English
C, knowing that certain sounds or sound sequence signify or represent different concepts or meanings. e.g. boy different from toy or girl knowing the system that relates sounds and meaning The relationship between speech sounds and meanings they represent is for most part an arbitrary one The sound of the word house signify the concept a building for people to live in", if you know French the same meaning is represented by"maison", Russian, by y “dom” Chinese“房子”. These different words show that the sounds of words are only given meaning by the language in which they occur
C. knowing that certain sounds or sound sequence signify or represent different concepts or meanings. e.g. boy different from toy or girl knowing the system that relates sounds and meaning. The relationship between speech sounds and meanings they represent is for most part an arbitrary one. The sound of the word “house” signify the concept “a building for people to live in”; if you know French the same meaning is represented by “maison” , Russian , by “dom” ; Chinese “房子”. These different words show that the sounds of words are only given meaning by the language in which they occur