PROPERTIES OF HUMAN LANGUAGE
Language is what we encounter every day. There are nearly seven thousand distinct languages in the world. Each of them has its own unique, but they share six following noticeable properties.
Language is a code. Language is a signaling system of Symbolic vocal sounds, used by a group of people for communication. In another word, a language can be regarded as a code for conveying a great of variety of information. The linguistic code uses symbols, signals which mean or convey something other than themselves. For example is Traffic light code. A red light conveys the instruction ‘stop’. A yellow light conveys the instruction ‘prepare to stop’. A green light conveys the instruction ‘proceed’. Therefore, each word, phrase, sentence refers to something that speakers want to convey.
Linguistic symbols that have structures are function of form. For example, “peter runs”. The following feature of the sentence have structures./p/, /i/, /t/ can have 9 sounds which is similar to 2 words : peter runs. Two main places where emphasis can be places: The “e” of “Peter”, and The “u” of “runs”. The pitch of the speaker changes during speaking. Linear structure and hierarchical structures: p-e-t-e-r-r-u-n-s-v-e-r-y-f-a-s-t. Such a hierarchy can be represented as a tree or a box. Like a structure of train with different functions. In describe the structure of a sentence , each unit can be looked at in two ways. First, we can describe the function of the unit by seeing what perfect it plays. Second, we can describe the form of the unit by examining its internal structure in the structure of the next higher unit. Hierarchies are different levels orderly.
Linguistic units are constructed according to rules. For example, if you/ meet/ so arrived /long as/ you before/ I /twelve. => So long as you arrived before twelve. I can meet you. Therefore, Linguistics Often put together in the semantic way by means rules. By the way, Language is system of symbols, signals, sound, etc. in another word, small units (syllables, word) are by one by one. For example: “a, b, h, o, t”. we can create some words: “ name, book, pen,..”.Large units of languages are combination of formal units in systematic ways by means of rules. For example, a new born baby sleeps. ‘New’ is adjective, ‘baby’ is a noun, and ‘sleep’ is verb. What‘s the exact the rules ? How do the units in English combine? The sequences of sounds, for example, are Snack- Srack. “Snack” is Potential English word and “Srack” is not English word. How words fit in to sentences .However, it can occur in place other than initially in a word. For example, obmutescence and basritief. For example, He talks, they talk today, Mary wheeled are unfinished. Hence, linguistics require addiction constituent to play role in the sentence. For example: (a) Jill appealed to Mary to dress herself. (b): Jill appeared to Mary to dress herself. In (a) ,It’s Mary dressing that’s under consideration. In(b),It’s Jill.
Language is special human. Any tribe’s language is possible to learn their language by using gesture body language. Any human languages have common properties (so –called Universal Grammar) such as: Sounds to encode meaning than sound sequenced that we call all words. Grammatical classes to such as N &V. These grammatical classes will combine into phrases and sentences. There will be ways for us to make statements, ask questions, give commands. All these properties belong to all human language. That is the reason why people learn all many languages as they can.
Language use is creative. Adding a little word such as “and”, we can make a new sentence .There is no limit to the number of sentences. We can combine element together to build variety of utterance. These utterances can be understood thanks to rules. For example: nice, girls, etc.
Language use is constrained. Restricted limited in use of word to be suitable is more useful than to talk/situation. For example, Formal /informal/polite/impolite. For example: Swear words. ‘Talk to your parents or teacher’ is similar to ‘you talk with your friends’. With ladies . “Would I help you”.” Would you like something to drink?” language converses with an older person. Hence, it’s sure that the listeners understand what you say and your words didn’t hear anyone. By the way, Sound, words, grammar, meaning are all restricted.
In summary, language has six basic properties which have been represented above. Language is complex. Knowing these properties can help us have a broader view over any kind of language we