1. Chapter 6, Language

2. Chapter Outline The Nature of Language
Language Acquisition Among Children
The Structure of Language
Language and Culture
U.S. Example of Cultural Emphasis
Linguistic Style
Sociolinguistics
Nonverbal Communication

3. The Nature of Language Language is found in all cultures of the world.
A symbolic system of sounds that, when put together according to a set of rules, conveys meaning.
The meanings attached to any given word in all languages are totally arbitrary.

4. Diversity of Language
Linguists estimate that there are as many as 6,000 discrete languages.
95% of the world’s people speak fewer than 100 of the approximately 6,000 different languages.
Mandarin accounts for about 1 in every 5 people on earth.
English, Hindi, Spanish, and Russian, accounts for about 45%.

5. Major Languages of the World
Primary Country
Number of Speakers
Mandarin
China
874,000,000
Hindi
India
366,000,000
English
UK/USA
341,000,000
Spanish
Spain/South America
322,000,000
Bengali
Bangladesh
207,000,000
Portuguese
Portugal/Brazil
176,000,000

6. Major Languages of the World
Primary Country
Number of Speakers
Russian
Russia
167,000,000
Japanese
Japan
125,000,000
German
Germany
100,000,000
Korean
Korea
78,000,000
French
France
77,000,000 Wu
China

7. Characteristics of Human Communication Systems
Capable of sending an infinite number of messages.
The only animals that can speak of events from the past or that might happen in the future.
Language is transmitted largely through tradition rather than experience alone.

8. Structure of Human Languages
Phonological structure comprises rules of how sounds are combined to convey meanings.
Each language has its own grammatical structure with principles governing:
How morphemes are formed into words (morphology).
How words are arranged into phrases and sentences (syntax).

9. Sapir–Whorf Hypothesis
Language influences perception.
Language, establishes mental categories that affect the ways people conceptualize the real world.

10. Colloquialisms From Baseball
She threw me a curve.
You’re way off base.
You’re batting 1,000 (500, zero) so far.
I want to touch all the bases.
He went to bat for me.
He has two strikes against him.
That’s way out in left field.
He drives me up the wall.

11. Examples of Diglossia High Form Low Form Religious service Marketplace
Political speeches
Instructions to subordinates
Legislative proceedings
Friendly conversations
University lectures
Folk literature
News broadcasts
Radio/TV programs
Newspapers
Cartoons
Poetry
Graffiti

12. Nonverbal Communication
Most messages are sent and received without words:
Facial expressions
Gestures
Eye contact
Touching
Posture