Properties of Language language = intentional communication

Displacement –Allows us to talk about the past or future, and to talk about things not immediately in front of us; allows fictional inventiveness Arbitrariness –No immediate correlation between idea represented in language and sounds or graphs (letters) used to form that word, for most words. Compare the animal pictured to either the word“cat” or to its pronunciation kæt

Productivity –Allows speakers to use linguistic signs in new combinations to generate wholly new thoughts. Allows you to say that which has never been said, as in “I want to marry you even though you’re a giraffe,” and be understood. Cultural transmission –Language is learned (in a certain age window) b/c we have an innate predisposition (not an instinct) to learn it.

Discreteness –Sounds used to produce language are distinct from one another (in our minds) –Contrast voiced bilabial b with voiceless bilabial p Duality –Organized on two levels Distinct sounds – consonant and vowel Organized in multiple ways to produce infinite meaning combinations Never one sound = one meaning throughout a language

Minor traits of Human Language Uses voice-auditory channel (for most speakers) Reciprocity – speakers can both produce and receive language Specialization – language symbols not used for much else than language Rapid fade – must be nearby to hear Non-directionality – cannot easily direct speech to one listener only