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Descriptive Linguistics and Ethnolinguistics.
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LinguisticsLinguistics
Descriptive Linguistics and Descriptive Linguistics and CultureCulture
CommunicationCommunication
Most animals have some form of Most animals have some form of communicationcommunication
Definition: Ability of one organism to Definition: Ability of one organism to trigger anothertrigger another
Counterexample: Bouncer tosses out Counterexample: Bouncer tosses out unruly patronunruly patron
Counterexample: Sun’s rays wakens Counterexample: Sun’s rays wakens sleepersleeper
Entails stimulus and responseEntails stimulus and response
Overview of LinguisticsOverview of Linguistics
Biological Roots of Language: Brain Biological Roots of Language: Brain and Articulatory Systemand Articulatory System
Descriptive Linguistics: Phones and Descriptive Linguistics: Phones and PhonemesPhonemes
Descriptive Linguistics: Morphology Descriptive Linguistics: Morphology and Syntaxand Syntax
Language and Animal CommunicationLanguage and Animal Communication Language and CultureLanguage and Culture
The International Phonetic The International Phonetic AlphabetAlphabet
How many vowels are there in English?How many vowels are there in English? Our written language is not entirely Our written language is not entirely
phoneticphonetic The letter a could be pronounced as [æ] The letter a could be pronounced as [æ]
in batin bat Or how about [e] as in bated breath?Or how about [e] as in bated breath? Or try [a] as in bah or “say ah”Or try [a] as in bah or “say ah” We have 12 vowelsWe have 12 vowels That means in linguistics we need 12 That means in linguistics we need 12
symbols to transcribe themsymbols to transcribe them
The IPA: How It WorksThe IPA: How It Works
First, there are First, there are phonesphones, any speech sound, any speech sound The IPA ideally assigns one symbol to a The IPA ideally assigns one symbol to a
soundsound So [a] is used for “ah,” [e] for “bated,” [æ] So [a] is used for “ah,” [e] for “bated,” [æ]
for “bat”for “bat” Square brackets are used to enclose phonesSquare brackets are used to enclose phones If the sounds carry a language, they are If the sounds carry a language, they are
known as known as phonemes phonemes (more shortly)(more shortly) These are enclosed in slashes (//), e.g. /a/These are enclosed in slashes (//), e.g. /a/
A Sample Set of Phones and A Sample Set of Phones and PhonemesPhonemes
We will use a sample of six We will use a sample of six consonantsconsonants known as known as stops:stops:
[p], [b], [t], [d], [k], and [g][p], [b], [t], [d], [k], and [g] First, we have to look at some First, we have to look at some
preliminaries:preliminaries: The speech mechanism (brain, The speech mechanism (brain,
lungs, larynx, and oral cavity)lungs, larynx, and oral cavity) Then how speech is articulatedThen how speech is articulated
Biological Roots of Biological Roots of Language: The Brain and Language: The Brain and
Nervous SystemNervous System Broca’s AreaBroca’s Area Wernicke’s AreaWernicke’s Area Arcuate FasciculusArcuate Fasciculus Angular GyrusAngular Gyrus Hypoglossal NerveHypoglossal Nerve
Vocal TractVocal Tract
LungsLungs Diaphragm Diaphragm Larynx and Vocal Larynx and Vocal
CordsCords Hyoid BoneHyoid Bone Oral CavityOral Cavity Nasal CavityNasal Cavity
Articulatory PhoneticsArticulatory Phonetics
When we utter any sound, we When we utter any sound, we articulatearticulate
We position our tongue or other We position our tongue or other speech part in certain waysspeech part in certain ways
When we speak, we useWhen we speak, we use Points of articulationPoints of articulation: Speech parts : Speech parts
in upper half of mouthin upper half of mouth Articulators:Articulators: Speech parts in lower Speech parts in lower
half of mouthhalf of mouth
Oral CavityOral Cavity
Points of ArticulationPoints of Articulation All are immovable All are immovable
except upper lipexcept upper lip Upper lipUpper lip Upper teethUpper teeth Alveolar ridge (gum Alveolar ridge (gum
ridge behind teeth)ridge behind teeth) Hard palate (roof of Hard palate (roof of
mouth)mouth) Velum (soft palate)Velum (soft palate) Uvula (pendant lobe at Uvula (pendant lobe at
border of velum)border of velum)
ArticulatorsArticulators
All articulators are All articulators are movablemovable
They include:They include: Lower lipLower lip Lower teethLower teeth TongueTongue Apex (tip)Apex (tip) FrontFront Center Center Back (dorsumBack (dorsum))
Other Speech PartsOther Speech Parts LarynxLarynx, or voice box which , or voice box which
containscontains Two Two Vocal Cords Vocal Cords (upper left)(upper left) When vocal cords are drawn When vocal cords are drawn
tight (lower right), they tight (lower right), they produce a voiceproduce a voice
When relaxed (lower left), no When relaxed (lower left), no voice is produced.voice is produced.
Other species and infant: Other species and infant: larynx is high on throatlarynx is high on throat
Nasal Cavity: Nasalized phones Nasal Cavity: Nasalized phones produced by lowering of velumproduced by lowering of velum
Position of ArticulationPosition of Articulation
For For consonantsconsonants, position of articulator , position of articulator relative to point of articulationrelative to point of articulation
For vowels, resonant sounds created byFor vowels, resonant sounds created by position of tongue (high, mid, or low)position of tongue (high, mid, or low) lip shape (rounded or unroundedlip shape (rounded or unrounded Consonants include:Consonants include: Stops (momentary stop of air stream)Stops (momentary stop of air stream) Fricatives or Spirants (constricted passage of Fricatives or Spirants (constricted passage of
air)air) Others, such as laterals, nasals, et al.Others, such as laterals, nasals, et al.
Positions of Articulation: Positions of Articulation: Stops Stops
A A stop stop is formed whenis formed when an articulator touchesan articulator touches a point of articulation a point of articulation halting the air stream momentarilyhalting the air stream momentarily A stop is namedA stop is named By naming the By naming the articulatorarticulator first first Then naming the Then naming the point of articulationpoint of articulation Examples: labio-labial, apico-alveolar, Examples: labio-labial, apico-alveolar,
and dorso-velar stopsand dorso-velar stops
Bilabial StopsBilabial Stops Upper lip is pressed Upper lip is pressed
against lower lipagainst lower lip Labio- describes the Labio- describes the
lower lip (articulator)lower lip (articulator) Labial describes the Labial describes the
upper lip (point of upper lip (point of articulation_articulation_
Called Called bilabial stop bilabial stop for shortfor short
Example: [p] as in Example: [p] as in [pın] or pin[pın] or pin
Apico-Alveolar StopsApico-Alveolar Stops Tip (apex) of tongue Tip (apex) of tongue
presses against gum presses against gum ridge (alveolar ridge) ridge (alveolar ridge) behind upper teethbehind upper teeth
Apico describes apex Apico describes apex of tongue (articulator)of tongue (articulator)
Alveolar describes Alveolar describes alveolar ridge (point alveolar ridge (point of articulation)of articulation)
Example: [t] as in tın] Example: [t] as in tın] or tinor tin
Dorso-Velar StopsDorso-Velar Stops Back (dorsum) of Back (dorsum) of
tongue presses tongue presses against soft palate against soft palate (velum)(velum)
Dorso describes Dorso describes dorsal part of tongue dorsal part of tongue (articulator)(articulator)
Velar describes velum Velar describes velum (point of articulation)(point of articulation)
Example: [k] as in Example: [k] as in [kın] or kin[kın] or kin
Contrasting SoundsContrasting Sounds
Across the board, Across the board, [p] contrasts with [t][p] contrasts with [t] [t] contrasts with [k][t] contrasts with [k] [p] contrasts with [k][p] contrasts with [k] But there are But there are twotwo bilabial stops: [p] and [b]bilabial stops: [p] and [b] apico-alveolar stops: [t] and [d]apico-alveolar stops: [t] and [d] dorso-velar stops [k] and [g]dorso-velar stops [k] and [g] Why? What’s going on?Why? What’s going on?
Voiced and Voiceless Voiced and Voiceless StopsStops
One set of stops is voiceless or One set of stops is voiceless or unvoicedunvoiced
Namely [p], [t], and [k]Namely [p], [t], and [k] The other set of stops is voicedThe other set of stops is voiced [b] the bilabial voiced stop[b] the bilabial voiced stop [d] the voiced apico-alveolar stop[d] the voiced apico-alveolar stop [t] the voiced dorso-velar stop[t] the voiced dorso-velar stop A small experimentA small experiment
How Vocal Cords WorkHow Vocal Cords Work
When vocal cords are When vocal cords are relaxed (upper diagram), relaxed (upper diagram), they produce no voicethey produce no voice
When drawn tight with a When drawn tight with a small aperture or hole small aperture or hole (lower diagram), they (lower diagram), they produce a voiceproduce a voice
That is what causes the That is what causes the throat to vibratethroat to vibrate
Summing upSumming up
Voicing involves tightening of vocal Voicing involves tightening of vocal cords to produce a soundcords to produce a sound
When unvoiced phones are uttered, the When unvoiced phones are uttered, the vocal cords are relaxedvocal cords are relaxed
Voiced sounds contrast with unvoiced Voiced sounds contrast with unvoiced soundssounds
voiced [b] contrasts with unvoiced [p]voiced [b] contrasts with unvoiced [p] voiced [d] contrasts with unvoiced [t]voiced [d] contrasts with unvoiced [t] voiced [g] contrasts with unvoiced [k]voiced [g] contrasts with unvoiced [k]
Structural Duality I: Structural Duality I: PhonemesPhonemes
The sounds we described are also The sounds we described are also phonemesphonemes
Definition: The smallest significant Definition: The smallest significant unit of speechunit of speech
Significance: the speaker Significance: the speaker can hear can hear the difference.the difference.
We can hear the difference between We can hear the difference between [bın] and [pın], [dın] and [tın], and [bın] and [pın], [dın] and [tın], and [gın] and [kın][gın] and [kın]
Minimal PairsMinimal Pairs
[bın] and [pın]: what’s the [bın] and [pın]: what’s the difference?difference?
[tın] and [dın]: same question[tın] and [dın]: same question [gın] and [kın]: Again, what differs?[gın] and [kın]: Again, what differs? Short answer: the speech Short answer: the speech
environment environment is identicalis identical Only the stops differOnly the stops differ the [-ın] utterance is identicalthe [-ın] utterance is identical
Summary of Phonemic Summary of Phonemic Stops in EnglishStops in English
Notice that:Notice that: English doesn’t have all possible stops: labiodental, English doesn’t have all possible stops: labiodental,
interdental, or palatal interdental, or palatal We do have labio-dental fricatives {f], [v] and We do have labio-dental fricatives {f], [v] and
interdental ones [interdental ones [θθ] and [ð]] and [ð] The Russians have a palatal shop [tThe Russians have a palatal shop [tjj].]. There are numerous others in the world’s languagesThere are numerous others in the world’s languages
AllophonesAllophones
Another example: key and skiAnother example: key and ski Another experiment: what’s the Another experiment: what’s the
difference?difference? The differencesThe differences [k’] in key [k’i] is [k’] in key [k’i] is aspiratedaspirated [[kk is i] is unaspiratedunaspirated [i־־sk] in ski [sk] in ski [־־ In English, [k’] and [kIn English, [k’] and [k־־] never form ] never form
minimal pairsminimal pairs Therefore, [k’] and [kTherefore, [k’] and [k־־] are ] are allophonesallophones
Allophones of PhonemesAllophones of Phonemes
Definition: Variations of the same Definition: Variations of the same phonemephoneme
Our example: [k’] and [kOur example: [k’] and [k־־] are ] are allophones of the phoneme /k/ allophones of the phoneme /k/
Notation:Notation: Slash marks (//) indicate phonemeSlash marks (//) indicate phoneme Square brackets ([]) indicates phone Square brackets ([]) indicates phone
(and allophone)(and allophone)
Allophones in One Allophones in One Language: Phonemes in Language: Phonemes in
AnotherAnother Old Sanskrit (from which Hindi and Urdu Old Sanskrit (from which Hindi and Urdu
are derived):are derived): [k’il] and [k[k’il] and [k־־il] form minimal pairsil] form minimal pairs [k’il]: “parched grain”[k’il]: “parched grain” [k[k־־il]: “small nail”lil]: “small nail”l [-il] is identical as for speech environment[-il] is identical as for speech environment Therefore, /k’/ and /kTherefore, /k’/ and /k־־/ are phonemes in / are phonemes in
Old SanskritOld Sanskrit Every language has its own phonemesEvery language has its own phonemes
Phonemes as Structural Phonemes as Structural Duality IDuality I
Note diagram on boardNote diagram on board [b] contrasts with [d] which contrasts [b] contrasts with [d] which contrasts
with [g]with [g] [p] contrasts with [t] which contrasts [p] contrasts with [t] which contrasts
with [k]with [k] All the voiced stops contrast with All the voiced stops contrast with
unvoiced ones:unvoiced ones: [b] with [p], [d] with [t] and [g] with [k][b] with [p], [d] with [t] and [g] with [k] So we have a structureSo we have a structure
Structural Duality II: Structural Duality II: Morphemes and SyntaxMorphemes and Syntax
Once the phonemes are identified:Once the phonemes are identified: They must be arranged for meaningThey must be arranged for meaning Morphemes and SyntaxMorphemes and Syntax Morphemes: The smallest Morphemes: The smallest meaningful meaningful
unit of speechunit of speech Syntax: Rules and principles of phrase Syntax: Rules and principles of phrase
and sentence constructionand sentence construction Grammar: Entire formal structure of a Grammar: Entire formal structure of a
language’s morphemes and syntaxlanguage’s morphemes and syntax
MorphemesMorphemes Morphology:Morphology: Study of morphemes and their Study of morphemes and their
construction into wordsconstruction into words Types of morphemesTypes of morphemes Free morphemes: Free morphemes: Morphemes that can stand Morphemes that can stand
unattached in a language: catunattached in a language: cat Bound morphemes: Bound morphemes: Morphemes that cannot stand Morphemes that cannot stand
unattached in a language: catunattached in a language: catss Inflectional bound morphemesInflectional bound morphemes: those that change : those that change
number or tense, but not meaning: e.g., cat, catnumber or tense, but not meaning: e.g., cat, catss Derivational bound morphemes:Derivational bound morphemes: those that those that
change the meaningchange the meaning: e.g., part, part: e.g., part, partyy
AllomorphsAllomorphs
Allomorphs: Allomorphs: Variants of a Variants of a morphememorpheme
Examples: plurals of dogs, cats, Examples: plurals of dogs, cats, horseshorses
Others: tooth/teeth; sheep/sheepOthers: tooth/teeth; sheep/sheep MorphophonemicsMorphophonemics: Study of : Study of
allomorphsallomorphs
Syntax: Parts of SpeechSyntax: Parts of Speech
Describes rules and principles of Describes rules and principles of phrase and sentence construction.phrase and sentence construction.
Parts of speech are similar to those Parts of speech are similar to those in high school grammarin high school grammar
Noun:Noun: Word referring to a person, Word referring to a person, place, or thingplace, or thing
Pronoun: Pronoun: Word that replaces a Word that replaces a noun or other pronounnoun or other pronoun
Verb:Verb: Action word Action word
Syntax: More Parts of Syntax: More Parts of SpeechSpeech
Adjective: Adjective: Word that modifies nounsWord that modifies nouns Adverb: Adverb: Word that modifies a verb, an Word that modifies a verb, an
adjective, and another adverbsadjective, and another adverbs Preposition:Preposition: Word that indicates a relation Word that indicates a relation
between an object in time, space, or logic to between an object in time, space, or logic to the rest of a sentencethe rest of a sentence
ConjunctionConjunction: Word connecting words or : Word connecting words or groups of wordsgroups of words
Interjection: Interjection: Word that expresses feelings, Word that expresses feelings, but usually not part of a sentence.but usually not part of a sentence.
Syntax and Word OrderSyntax and Word Order
Word order (sentence, verb, object) vary by Word order (sentence, verb, object) vary by language:language:
Subject (S): Subject (S): The thing or person of what a sentence The thing or person of what a sentence is aboutis about
Predicate (V): Predicate (V): Phrase that says something about the Phrase that says something about the subject; always include the verbsubject; always include the verb
Verb (O): Verb (O): Action word that forms the main part of Action word that forms the main part of the predicatethe predicate
Object:Object: The person or thing affected by the verb The person or thing affected by the verb In English, the word order is typically S-V-OIn English, the word order is typically S-V-O In Spanish, the word order is sometimes V-S-OIn Spanish, the word order is sometimes V-S-O Other languages have other word ordersOther languages have other word orders
So Why Aren’t So Why Aren’t Morphemes and Syntax Morphemes and Syntax Separate Structures?Separate Structures? An exercise: catsAn exercise: cats
Two cats (upper photo)Two cats (upper photo) Cat’s meow (lower Cat’s meow (lower
picture: spoken, how do picture: spoken, how do you use the apostrophe?)you use the apostrophe?)
Rest of sentence defines Rest of sentence defines morphememorpheme
Another exampleAnother example ““Cookie, lend me your Cookie, lend me your
combs”combs” ““Cookie combs his hair.”Cookie combs his hair.”
Gesture Call Systems: Gesture Call Systems: KinesicsKinesics
Kinesics:Kinesics: System of System of analyzing postures, analyzing postures, facial expressions, facial expressions, “body language”“body language”
Gender differencesGender differences Smiles and frownsSmiles and frowns See that thumbs up?See that thumbs up? In other countries, it In other countries, it
would mean—well, you would mean—well, you know!know!
(Need a hint? Think (Need a hint? Think middle finger)middle finger)
Gesture Call Systems: Gesture Call Systems: Paralanguage Paralanguage
Paralanguage:Paralanguage: Extralinguistic noises Extralinguistic noises accompanying accompanying language language
Voice qualities:Voice qualities: tone, tone, slur (cartoon), other slur (cartoon), other background noisesbackground noises
VocalizationsVocalizations: : Identifiable noises Identifiable noises turned on and off at turned on and off at short intervals—”uh,” short intervals—”uh,” “um”“um”
More ParalanguageMore Paralanguage
Vocal Vocal characteristics:characteristics: Sound production Sound production such as laughingsuch as laughing
Vocal qualifiers:Vocal qualifiers: Tone or pitch-”Get Tone or pitch-”Get Out!”Out!”
Segregates:Segregates: “Shh!” “Shh!” “Oh oh,” “hmmm!” “Oh oh,” “hmmm!” (cartoon) among (cartoon) among othersothers
Linguistic ChangeLinguistic Change
Language FamilyLanguage Family Group of languages descended from a Group of languages descended from a
single ancestral languagesingle ancestral language Example: Indo-European is descended Example: Indo-European is descended
from Proto-Indo-Europeanfrom Proto-Indo-European GlottochronologyGlottochronology Technique of reconstructing past languageTechnique of reconstructing past language Core vocabulary: Core vocabulary: Comparing words Comparing words
common to all languagescommon to all languages
EthnolinguisticsEthnolinguistics Definition: Study of relationship Definition: Study of relationship
between language and culturebetween language and culture Named after Named after Edward SapirEdward Sapir (top) and (top) and
Benjamin Lee WhorfBenjamin Lee Whorf (bottom), the (bottom), the Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis states thatstates that
language,language, By providing habitual “grooves” of By providing habitual “grooves” of
expressionexpression Predisposes people to see world in Predisposes people to see world in
certain wayscertain ways Thus guiding thinking and behaviorThus guiding thinking and behavior
Ethnolinguistics: What Ethnolinguistics: What Comes First? Language Comes First? Language
or Culture?or Culture? Example of Sapir-Whorf Example of Sapir-Whorf
hypothesishypothesis Hopi:Hopi: Conception of time as Conception of time as
processes, not discrete unitsprocesses, not discrete units Nuer:Nuer: 400 words for cattle 400 words for cattle U.S. Militaristic vocabularyU.S. Militaristic vocabulary Chicken and Egg QuestionChicken and Egg Question Does language condition Does language condition
cultureculture Or does culture condition Or does culture condition
language? language?
Ethnolinguistics: Some Ethnolinguistics: Some Areas of ResearchAreas of Research
Kinship terms:Kinship terms: Father or Mother may be extended to Father or Mother may be extended to
uncles and aunts.uncles and aunts. GenderGender Meaning of “I’m sorry”Meaning of “I’m sorry” Social dialectsSocial dialects Example: so-called Ebonics (Afro-Example: so-called Ebonics (Afro-
American)American) Regional differences: Beijing vs. CantonRegional differences: Beijing vs. Canton
Code Switching: Martin Code Switching: Martin Luther KingLuther King
Definition: Switching Definition: Switching style of speech according style of speech according to occasion and audienceto occasion and audience
Formal discourse in Formal discourse in formal settings formal settings (Washington Monument, (Washington Monument, 1963, I Have a Dream 1963, I Have a Dream speech)speech)
Informal discourse in Informal discourse in others (Ebenezer Baptist others (Ebenezer Baptist Church, 1967, anti-Church, 1967, anti-Vietnam War speech)Vietnam War speech)
Language OriginsLanguage Origins
Comparison of communication attributes Comparison of communication attributes was first stepwas first step
Chimpanzee communication: calls and Chimpanzee communication: calls and gesturesgestures
Indirect evidenceIndirect evidence Reconstructed anatomy: hyoid boneReconstructed anatomy: hyoid bone Endocasts indicating size of cerebrumEndocasts indicating size of cerebrum Control language among othersControl language among others Size indirect indicationSize indirect indication
Features of Language Features of Language Shared with Other Shared with Other
SpeciesSpecies ArbitrarinessArbitrariness ProductivityProductivity InterchangeabilityInterchangeability DisplacementDisplacement SpecializationSpecialization Cultural TransmissionCultural Transmission
ArbitrarinessArbitrariness Definition: Absence of Definition: Absence of
intrinsic relation between intrinsic relation between communication element communication element (speech sound) and thing (speech sound) and thing or event to which it refers or event to which it refers (referent)(referent)
Iconic Relationship: Iconic Relationship: Existence of such a Existence of such a relationship between relationship between element (e.g. gesture) and element (e.g. gesture) and its referentits referent
Importance: Utterance is Importance: Utterance is not “married” to meaning, not “married” to meaning, such as this gibbon’s such as this gibbon’s warning callwarning call
Arbitrariness (Examples)Arbitrariness (Examples) Example [k], [æ], and [t] are not Example [k], [æ], and [t] are not
meaningful in and of themselvesmeaningful in and of themselves Meaning emerges when sounds are Meaning emerges when sounds are
combined:combined: [kæt] “cat” has one meaning (feline, [kæt] “cat” has one meaning (feline,
the one who caught a mouse)the one who caught a mouse) [tæk] “tack” has another (small nail)[tæk] “tack” has another (small nail) [ækt] “act” has a third (dog and [ækt] “act” has a third (dog and
pony show)pony show) Even then, this string is language Even then, this string is language
specific (English), not intrinsicspecific (English), not intrinsic
Arbitrariness (Across Arbitrariness (Across Languages)Languages)
Evidence of Arbitrariness: Diverse LanguagesEvidence of Arbitrariness: Diverse Languages Cat has different pronunciations in different Cat has different pronunciations in different
languageslanguages Similarities are the product of historical contactSimilarities are the product of historical contact
Productivity (Definition)Productivity (Definition) Definition:Definition: Capacity for elements of Capacity for elements of
communication systemcommunication system To be combined to form To be combined to form
new meaningsnew meanings Which speaker and Which speaker and
listener may never have listener may never have learned beforelearned before
Yet understands Yet understands perfectlyperfectly
Exercise:Exercise: pronounce pronounce wugwug then two of themthen two of them
Productivity (Examples)Productivity (Examples) From From Jabberwocky Jabberwocky by by
Lewis Carroll (see Lewis Carroll (see illustration}illustration}
‘‘Twas brillig and the Twas brillig and the sllthy tovessllthy toves
Did gyre and gimble Did gyre and gimble in the wabein the wabe
Identify:Identify: The nounsThe nouns The verbsThe verbs The adjectivesThe adjectives
Productivity (Conclusion)Productivity (Conclusion)
Language drillsLanguage drills English: I am, you are. . .English: I am, you are. . . Spanish: Yo soy, tu eres. . .Spanish: Yo soy, tu eres. . . Other species: Bee danceOther species: Bee dance Variations indicate location, direction, and Variations indicate location, direction, and
amount of nectar sourceamount of nectar source Speed: proximity or distance of sourceSpeed: proximity or distance of source Angle of body: directionAngle of body: direction Amount of pollen: amount at sourceAmount of pollen: amount at source
InterchangeabilityInterchangeability Definition: Use of same communication Definition: Use of same communication
system to send and receive messagessystem to send and receive messages Illustrative Counterexample: Three-Illustrative Counterexample: Three-
spined stickleback fish courtship (see spined stickleback fish courtship (see diagram)diagram)
Female elicits male response by Female elicits male response by presenting distended bellypresenting distended belly
Male performs zigzag dance around Male performs zigzag dance around femalefemale
She follow him to nestShe follow him to nest Male point to nest on arrivalMale point to nest on arrival Female enters nest, male rubs Female enters nest, male rubs
abdomen, abdomen, She discharges eggs, and male fertilizes She discharges eggs, and male fertilizes
them with spermthem with sperm
Displacement Displacement (Definition)(Definition)
Ability to refer to things and events Ability to refer to things and events not present, nonvisible, intangible, or not present, nonvisible, intangible, or nonexistentnonexistent
Not present: Golden Gate Bridge in Not present: Golden Gate Bridge in San FranciscoSan Francisco
Not visible: Termites in sealed moundNot visible: Termites in sealed mound Intangible: math equations, square Intangible: math equations, square
rootsroots Nonexistent: dragons, unicornsNonexistent: dragons, unicorns
Displacement Displacement (Importance)(Importance)
Ability to represent unseen Ability to represent unseen parts of worldparts of world
Part of toolmaking abilityPart of toolmaking ability: to : to conceive a design (above)conceive a design (above)
Bee DanceBee Dance Scouting bee gives information on Scouting bee gives information on
non-present blossomsnon-present blossoms Direction of dance rel. to sun: Direction of dance rel. to sun:
indicates direction of sourceindicates direction of source Length of tail waggle: distance of Length of tail waggle: distance of
sourcesource Other bees act on this informationOther bees act on this information
Cultural TransmissionCultural Transmission
Learning of an element of Learning of an element of communication (speech sound, communication (speech sound, gestures)gestures)
Bees and stickleback acquire Bees and stickleback acquire behavior geneticallybehavior genetically
Dogs learn by conditioning, do not Dogs learn by conditioning, do not pass learning onpass learning on
Chimpanzees do learn by imitation Chimpanzees do learn by imitation and pass it on: e.g., termite fishing. and pass it on: e.g., termite fishing.
SpecializationSpecialization
Definition: Ability to transmit Definition: Ability to transmit message with minimal physical effortmessage with minimal physical effort
Language is most specialized Language is most specialized communication systemcommunication system
Examples of unspecialized Examples of unspecialized communicationcommunication
Chimpanzee displaysChimpanzee displays Bee danceBee dance Stickleback courtshipStickleback courtship
ConclusionConclusion
Language is basis of cultureLanguage is basis of culture Knowledge of linguistics is prerequisiteKnowledge of linguistics is prerequisite Descriptive LinguisticsDescriptive Linguistics Language and SocietyLanguage and Society Culture can condition languageCulture can condition language Chicken-egg question remainsChicken-egg question remains One more technique: content analysis One more technique: content analysis
of languageof language
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