Language Specific

Introduction to General Linguistic

By

Almira Isna

1410731035

English Department

Andalas University

2019
 Introduction

Generally language is defined as a system of communication which consists of a set of

sounds and written symbols which are used by the people of a particular country or region for
talking or writing. Languages are sets of signs. Signs combine an exponent (a sequence of letters
or sounds) with a meaning.

Language is called a social phenomenon, because it has relevance only in a social setting.
Language undergoes a continuous, though unnoticed, process of growth and change. It becomes
sharp, crisp, refined and versatile with the passage of time. Pick up the historical background of
any language we will be astonished to notice the major changes in spellings, meaning,
pronunciation and its connotation and denotation. Hence, language is a living phenomenon.

In its broadest and most general sense, language may be said to be any means of
expression or mental concepts by any living beings whatsoever and of communicating them to,
or receiving them from, other living beings. Language is a very complex human phenomenon; all
attempts in define it have proved inadequate. In common parlence it may be said that language is
an organised noise used in actual social situations. That is why it is defined as contextualised
systematic sounds. One of the expert Patanjali defined it as that human expression which is
uttered out by speech Organs. Encyclopaedia Britannica defines language as "a system of
conventional, spoken or written symbols by means of which human beings, as members of a
social group and participants in its culture, communicate".

There are the definition of language based on the expert :

"Language is a primarily human and non- instinctive method of communicating ideas, emotions
and desires by means of a system of voluntarily produced symbols" (Sapir).

"Language, in its widest sense, means the sum total of such signs of our thoughts and feelings as
are capable of external perception and as could be produced and repeated at will" (A. H.
Gardiner).
"Language may be defined as the expression of thought by means of speech-sounds" (Henry
Sweet).

"A system of communication by sound i.e., through the organs of speech and hearing, among
human beings of a certain group or community, using vocal symbols possessing arbitrary
conventioal meanings." (Mario A Pei & Frank Gaynor).

So, Language is one of some media that uses for communication, language is the
media where human can share the information, knowedge, idea, feeling and others
expression. Every country has different language, and also different syntactic language,
but no matter how different our language, the function of language is still the same.
Language is universally understood and language also have some traits that is general.

The Nature of Language

A natural language or ordinary language is any language that has evolved naturally in
humans through use and repetition without conscious planning or premeditation. Natural
languages can take different forms, such as speech or signing. Nature of language consists of
words, idioms and syntax. It is through language that we think, feel, judge and express. Hence
language is one of the most important and characteristic form of human behaviour we use words
and idioms as tool to perform and share experience among a people possible.

Language is speech

Language is speech and is distinct from the signs, gestures and sounds produced by
animals or pets to convey a particular feeling or emotion. It is distinct from the sign language
even amongst the humans at any point of social and 14 biological evolution. It restricts itself to
recognised expression and communication to or from human beings by means of speech and
hearing. This communication, therefore, has to be from man to man, from a person to another
person by means of speech, and hearing. Speech, therefore, is language.

Living Language
 As seen earlier, a language undergoes a continuous and unnoticed change for its
refinement and depth. It responds to the demands and requirements of the group that it
represents. As the human utterances became complex and varied, a language to be living must
move with the group, must grow with the group, should be alive to their needs and aspirations. In
this process of change and growth, language acquires new shape, new approach, new
significance and new application.

Language and Society

Language is one of the most important and characteristic forms of human behaviour".
With widening range and horizon of human thought and action, the language has to keep in step
with its social calling. As "language is activity, a purposeful activity", it must help man to
express himself in a variety of new and different kinds of situations. It is the society, that in its
turn, bestows meaning towards and idioms by conventionalising them to mean what they mean
today to a group or a community, in a variety of complex contexts.

Operation of Language

As language has relevance only in social context, it is necessary for its operation, that a
social necessity or scenario exists. There should be a corresponding situation for the language to
operate upon. It is a conventional arrangement between the speaker and the listener.

Sounds and Signals

Sounds produced by human beings differ from the 'signal-like' sounds and actions of the
animals. A lot of research is going on to establish if the animals also have similar
conventionalised arrangement in their expression. According to Bloomfield, "In human speech,
different sounds have different meanings. To study this coordination of certain sounds with
certain meanings is to study language". In other words, a study of a language consists in giving
meaning to a meaning. The meaning already exists, we have to give it a meaning to be
intelligible to us as a language.

According to Saussure, language is vocal which is primarily made up of vocal

sounds only produced by a phsiological articulatory mechanism in human body . Firstly,
it appeared as vocal sounds only, writing came much later , as an intelligent attempt to
represent vocal sounds . Writing is only the graphic representation of the sounds of the
language.

Language is a system and language is a symbol, language is sound, so all can

be said that language is a system of sound symbols. Then, the language system is in
the form of a symbol whose form is sound. Sound words that are often difficult to
distinguish from the word sound, we usually hear in everyday life. Technically, according
to Kridalaksana sound is the impression on the nerve center as a result of the vibration
of the eardrum which reacts due to changes in air pressure. This sound can be sourced
from friction or collision of objects, sounds in animals and humans. Then, what is meant
by sound in the language or which is the symbol of language is the sounds produced by
a human utterance. So, sounds that are not produced by human utterances do not
include the sound of language. But also not all sounds produced by human speech
include the sound of language. Shouting sounds, sneezing, coughing, and bowing
sounds are not sounds of language, although they are produced by human utterances,
because they are not included in the language sound system. Avoid the occurrence of
being unaware and unable to convey any message. Screams, sneezing, and coughing
can be realized and sometimes can also be used to convey messages, as well as
language, but also not the sound of language because it cannot be combined with other
sounds to convey messages. Then, then what is the sound of language? Language
sounds or speech sounds are units of sound produced by human utterances which are
observed in "phonetics" and in phonemes as "phonemes".

If the language is sound, how is the problem with written language? In linguistics,
the primary language is what is said. This spoken language is the first to become a
linguistic object. While written language, although not forgotten in linguistic studies, is
only secondary. Writing language is actually just a record of spoken language.

That the nature of language is sound, or spoken language, we can see until now
there are many languages in this world, including in Indonesia, which only have spoken
language; do not have written language, because these languages do not or do not
know the script system. In the formation of sound language there are three main factors
involved, namely the source of energy, the utensil which causes vibration, and the
vibration modification cavity. The process of forming language sounds begins with
utilizing breathing as a source of energy. The source of energy is in the form of air
coming out of the lungs. At first the air is sucked by the lungs, then exhaled during
breathing. The air exhaled (or smoked for a small portion of the language sounds)
undergoes changes in the vocal cords located at the base of the throat. The current of
air coming out of the lungs can open the two vocal cords that are docked so as to cause
the sound of a particular language. The movement of opening and closing the vocal
cords causes the air currents and air around the vocal cords to change in pressure and
vibrate. Changes in the shape of the airways that produce different sounds.

The place or tool that air passes from the lungs, among others: trachea, base of
throat, esophagus, oral cavity, nasal cavity, or with the other device.

Characteristic of Language

Language is Social: Language is a set of conventional communicative signals used by humans

for communication in a community. Language in this sense is a possession of a social group,
comprising an indispensable set of rules which permits its members to relate to each other, to
interact with each other, to co-operate with each other; it is a social institution. Language exists
in society; it is a means of nourishing and developing culture and establishing human relations.
Language is Symbolic: Language consists of various sound symbols and their graphological
counterparts that are employed to denote some objects, occurrences or meaning. These symbols
are arbitrarily chosen and conventionally accepted and employed. Words in a language are not
mere signs or figures, but symbols of meaning. The intelligibility of a language depends on a
correct interpretation of these symbols.
Language is Systematic: Although language is symbolic, yet its symbols are arranged in a
particular system. All languages have their system of arrangements. Every language is a system
of systems. All languages have phonological and grammatical systems, and within a system there
are several sub-systems. For example, within the grammatical system we have morphological
and syntactic systems, and within these two sub-systems we have systems such as those of
plural, of mood, of aspect, of tense, etc.
Language is Vocal: Language is primarily made up of vocal sounds only produced by a
physiological articulatory mechanism in the human body. In the beginning, it appeared as vocal
sounds only. Writing came much later, as an intelligent attempt to represent vocal sounds.
Writing is only the graphic representation of the sounds of the language. So the linguists say that
speech is primary.
Language is Non-instinctive, Conventional: No language was created in a day out of a
mutually agreed upon formula by a group of humans. Language is the outcome of evolution and
convention. Each generation transmits this convention on to the next. Like all human institutions
languages also change and die, grow and expand. Every language then is a convention in a
community. It is non-instinctive because it is acquired by human beings. No body gets a
language in heritage; he acquires it because he an innate ability.
Language is Productive and Creative: Language has creativity and productivity. The structural
elements of human language can be combined to produce new utterances, which neither the
speaker nor his hearers may ever have made or heard before any, listener, yet which both sides
understand without difficulty. Language changes according to the needs of society.
Finally, language has other characteristics such as Duality referring to the two systems of sound
and meaning, Displacement which means the ability to talk across time and space, Humanness
which means that animals cannot acquire it, Universality which refers to the equilibrium across
humanity on linguistic grounds, Competence and Performance which means that language is
innate and produced is society and furthermore, language is culturally transmitted. It is learnt by
an individual from his elders, and is transmitted from one generation to another. Thus using J.
Firth’s term, language is a ‘polysystametic’. It is also open to be studied from multifaceted
angles.

Significance of Language in Human Life

Language has big role in the our life of every individual. It is not just restrained to being a means
of communicating one‟s thoughts and ideas to the rest, but has also become a tool for forging
friendships, cultural ties as well as economic relationships. Throughout history, learned men have
reflected on the importance of language in our lives. Language is an extremely important way of
interacting with the peoplearound us. We use language to let others know how we feel, what we
need, and to ask questions. We can modify our language to each situation. For instance, we talk
to our small children with different words and tone than we conduct a business meeting. To
communicate effectively, we send a message with words, gestures, or actions, which somebody
else receives.

Vehicle of thought: language is the vehicle of our thought. We think through language.
Thoughtis called sub-vocal speech. The thinking process is disturbed if the individual has
deficiency in language.

Medium of expression: Language is the medium of expression of our feelings and

experiences.In other words we express our feelings and experiences through language. He
expresses his feelings and experiences through signs and gestures.

Medium of communication: We communicate with one another through language.With

theadvent of the concept of globalization, people all over the globe communicate with each other
and exchange ideas. Though technological advances have served as a medium for
communication, you cannot deny the role played by language. Understanding of a common
language has helped people to communicate, despite being from varied parts of the world.
Language has become a major tool of communication between countries, cultural groups, various
companies and organizations, communities and friends.

Communication with other countries:Different countries communicate with each otherthrough

language only. International community‟s exchange their views through English language
because English is international language.

Moral development: Language is also connected to the moral development in a child.

Theprocess begins when the child is about 18 months old. The child learns the right and wrong
by listening to what his parents or other adult authorities tell him. Imagine teaching the child the
difference of right or wrong without the tool of language! Language is the code of our
consciousness and helps us see what we may be agreeing to and creating in our world. On an less
than conscious level, every day we use language by confirming and denying circumstances.

Bases of Education:Language is the bases of all education. School education is

predominatelylanguage oriented. Reading, writing and arithmetic are all based on language
proficiency.

Growth of civilization:Language contributes to the growth of our civilization. Language

andcivilization are inseparable.

Development of peace:Language contributes to peace process. International understanding

andinternational peace have been possible through the medium of language.

List of common misconceptions about language learning

Many people want to learn a foreign language but think that they will never be able to due the
misconception.

The subject of language learning is subject to several misconceptions. It is common for people to rely on
their own intuitions about language learning, though they would not do so with other technical subjects
such as physics (a phenomenon known as folk linguistics).However, these intuitions are often
contradicted by scientific research.

Childhood language acquisition

Children learn their first language effortlessly

Learning a first language is not rapid for children. Children spend years learning their mother tongue,
and the process continues well into their school years. At seven years old, for example, many children
have difficulties creating passive-voice sentences.
Second-language acquisition

Younger learners learn languages more easily than older learners

It is often assumed that young children learn languages more easily than adolescents and
adults.However, the reverse is true; older learners are faster. The only exception to this rule is in
pronunciation. Young children invariably learn to speak their second language with native-like
pronunciation, whereas learners who start learning a language at an older age only rarely reach a native-
like level.

Intelligent people are better at learning languages

General intelligence is actually quite a poor indicator of language-learning ability. Motivation, tolerance
for ambiguity, and self-esteem are all better indicators of language-learning success.

Immersion is the best way to learn a language

The ability for learners to develop their language skills depends to a large extent on the type of language
input that they receive. For input to be effective for second-language acquisition, it must be
comprehensible. Merely being immersed in a second-language environment is no guarantee of receiving
comprehensible input. For example, learners living in a country where their second language is spoken
may be lucky enough to interact with native speakers who can alter their speech to make it
comprehensible; but equally, many learners will not have that same luck, and may not understand the
vast majority of the input that they receive.
In addition, adult learners living in a foreign country may not have very high linguistic demands placed
on them, for example if they are a low-level employee at a company. Without the incentive to develop
high-level skills in their second language, learners may undergo language fossilisation, or a plateau in
their language level.
Classroom instruction can be useful in both providing appropriate input for second-language learners,
and for helping them overcome problems of fossilisation.
Grammar study is detrimental to second-language acquisition

The study of grammar is helpful for second-language learners, and a lack of grammar knowledge can
slow down the language-learning process. On the other hand, relying on grammar instruction as the
primary means of learning the language is also detrimental. A balance between these two extremes is
necessary for optimal language learning.

Bilingual education

-Learning a second language hinders the development of the first language

-Learners can learn two or more languages without their first language development being adversely
affected. There is no such thing as a "fixed amount of space" for languages in the brain. In reality,
learners' first languages and their additional languages become part of an integrated system.

-Once a child can speak a language, the language-learning process is complete

-Learning to speak a language conversationally is only part of the way towards becoming fluent in it. Just
because a child can speak a language does not mean that they are yet capable of writing and
understanding academic language. This kind of language is particularly important in school in the later
grades. One study of 1,200 Canadian schoolchildren indicated that it may take between five and seven
years longer to master academic language than to master conversational language.

Conclusion
 So language not just have a characteristic that understanable but language also
unique, the important thing tha we should know first about language is language is
human,

References

Gleitman, Lila (2005). "Language and thought" . Cambridge handbook of thinking

and reasoning.

"Language of Thought Hypothesis. Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy .

https://www.iep.utm.edu/lot-hypo/ . Retrieved (2019 -02-11).

Abdul Chaer. 2003. Linguistik Umum. Jakarta: Rineka Cipta.