POPULAR IDEAS ABOUT LANGUAGE KEY CONCEPTS PALING 2015

LANGUAGE AND THOUGHT There is a close relationship There is a close relationship Language explains reactions not emotions Language explains reactions not emotions 3 Hypotheses: they are separated but dependent; they are identical; they are in a middle point 3 Hypotheses: they are separated but dependent; they are identical; they are in a middle point Sapir-Whorf: Lang determines the way we think Sapir-Whorf: Lang determines the way we think

LANGUAGE AND THOUGTH What kind of thinking does language involve? What kind of thinking does language involve? Which are the hypotheses about the relationship between language and thought? Which are the hypotheses about the relationship between language and thought? Which are the principles in the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis? Which are the principles in the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis? Which are the examples that Whorf used to illustrate his view Which are the examples that Whorf used to illustrate his view What does the weaker version of Sapir-Whorf generally accepted say about language? What does the weaker version of Sapir-Whorf generally accepted say about language?

FUNCTIONS OF LANGUAGE Communication of ideas in an emotional way Communication of ideas in an emotional way As a means of social interaction in order to keep comfortable relationships among people As a means of social interaction in order to keep comfortable relationships among people Control of reality or forces (magic, religion) Control of reality or forces (magic, religion) Recording facts to keep information for further generation Recording facts to keep information for further generation Helps us in the process of thinking. An “inner speech” that evokes a sequence of thoughts. Helps us in the process of thinking. An “inner speech” that evokes a sequence of thoughts. Expression of personal identity: who we are and where we belong. Expression of personal identity: who we are and where we belong.

FUNCTIONS OF LANGUAGE Why is language called referential, propositional or ideational? Why is language called referential, propositional or ideational? Why do we use some linguistic expressions of emotions? Why do we use some linguistic expressions of emotions? How does social interaction affect our use of language? How does social interaction affect our use of language? What happens to women of Central Africa? What happens to women of Central Africa? Why do children repeat rhythms? Why do children repeat rhythms?

THE MAGIC OF LANGUAGE It is present in its written and oral form. It is present in its written and oral form. The special powers language has. The special powers language has. Verbal taboos to refer to certain forbidden acts. Characterised by the use of euphemisms and circumlocutions. Verbal taboos to refer to certain forbidden acts. Characterised by the use of euphemisms and circumlocutions. Proper names have a particular significance in their use: avoid the use of names of dead people. Proper names have a particular significance in their use: avoid the use of names of dead people.

THE MAGIC OF LANGUAGE What is the relationship between "the magic of language" and some religious beliefs? What is the relationship between "the magic of language" and some religious beliefs? What does verbal taboos refer to? What does verbal taboos refer to? According to verbal taboos, what are the main forbidden themes? How does society deal with them? According to verbal taboos, what are the main forbidden themes? How does society deal with them? What is the relationship between death and verbal taboos? What is the relationship between death and verbal taboos? What is the difference between euphemisms and circumlocutions? Give some examples. What is the difference between euphemisms and circumlocutions? Give some examples.

THE EQUALITY OF LANGUAGES Language functions in communities according to their psychological and social needs. Language functions in communities according to their psychological and social needs. A primitive language is percieved as having a simple grammar, a limited vocabulary and also is associated to the use of gestures. A primitive language is percieved as having a simple grammar, a limited vocabulary and also is associated to the use of gestures. Languages are percieved as excellent because of tradition, and the influence they have had on literature and the new generations. Languages are percieved as excellent because of tradition, and the influence they have had on literature and the new generations.

THE EQUALITY OF LANGUAGES How does language relate to our religious, spiritual or supernatural beliefs? How does language relate to our religious, spiritual or supernatural beliefs? Why do we store information? What kind of record keeping do we have and what are its characteristics? Why do we store information? What kind of record keeping do we have and what are its characteristics? How useful can expressing our thoughts aloud be? How useful can expressing our thoughts aloud be? What can our uses of language tell about us? What can our uses of language tell about us? What does the concept of "inner speech" consist of? What does the concept of "inner speech" consist of?

THE ACADEMIES/ LANGUAGE CHANGE Academy: institution created to protect the prescriptive standards of a language. Academy: institution created to protect the prescriptive standards of a language. In England there were proposals for an academy in the 17th century. There were two different points of view: if the language had to be protected or if changes had to be allowed. In England there were proposals for an academy in the 17th century. There were two different points of view: if the language had to be protected or if changes had to be allowed. People who’re against change think that it means deterioration and decay. People who’re against change think that it means deterioration and decay. Problems of linguistic change: It would cause unintelligibility, ambiguity and social division. Problems of linguistic change: It would cause unintelligibility, ambiguity and social division. Nowadays it’s important to teach the standards of a language but also how to recognize some varieties of it. Nowadays it’s important to teach the standards of a language but also how to recognize some varieties of it.

THE ACADEMIES/ LANGUAGE CHANGE What is a linguistic academy? What is its purpose? What is a linguistic academy? What is its purpose? Which was the first linguistic academy? Where was it created? Which was the first linguistic academy? Where was it created? Some people think language change is not good. Why do they think that? Some people think language change is not good. Why do they think that? Which are some of the problems that linguistic change can cause? Which are some of the problems that linguistic change can cause? What would be a solution in multi-ethnic societies to deal with possible problems of language change? What would be a solution in multi-ethnic societies to deal with possible problems of language change?

THE PRESCRIPTIVE TRADITION No part of society or social behaviour is exempt (Bloomfield created three levels of response people give to language) No part of society or social behaviour is exempt (Bloomfield created three levels of response people give to language) Differences between prescribing and proscribing usages of language rely on rules, these can be followed and the others avoided. Differences between prescribing and proscribing usages of language rely on rules, these can be followed and the others avoided. Radical Liberalism: Grammarians are seen as people who do not care about standards of language. Radical Liberalism: Grammarians are seen as people who do not care about standards of language. Elitist Conservatism: They are adherents to historical tradition and therefore follow rules about language. Elitist Conservatism: They are adherents to historical tradition and therefore follow rules about language.

THE PRESCRIPTIVE TRADITION According to L. Bloomfield: What are the three levels given to people's response to language? According to L. Bloomfield: What are the three levels given to people's response to language? What do we mean with proscribing usages of language? Give some examples in Spanish and English What do we mean with proscribing usages of language? Give some examples in Spanish and English In your own words, give a brief definition of prescriptivism and descriptivism. In your own words, give a brief definition of prescriptivism and descriptivism. What would be a concrete example of how are both approaches to language realized in writing? What would be a concrete example of how are both approaches to language realized in writing? What are the "political names" given to the opposition between prescriptivism and descriptivism? What are the "political names" given to the opposition between prescriptivism and descriptivism?