Language and Communication

1. Language and Communication 1. Nature and Development of Language 2. Structure of Language 3. Language and Culture 4. Nonverbal Communication

2. Nature and Development of Language • Nature of Language-a symbolic system of sounds that when put together a certain way convey meaning. • Some words have totally arbitrary meaning. • *i.e. Cow-doesn't have anything to do with four-footed animal that gives milk.

3. Diversity of Language • Linguists estimate that approximately 6,000 discrete languages exist. • Examples: • Indo-European 150 languages. • Amerind over 600 languages

4. Indo-European

5. Amerind

6. Communication-Human vs. Non-human • Open and Closed Systems • Open system-humans can put different sounds together to make new meanings. Infinite amount of messages. • Closed system-when an animal cannot combine elements of two or more calls in order to develop a new call. • Displacement • human characteristic to convey information about a thing or event that is not immediately present.

7. Teaching non-human primates sign language. • Chimpanzees • http://www.cwu.edu/~cwuchci/bios/main_bio.htm • Gorillas • http://www.koko.org/friends/index.html • Also, bonobos (pygmy chimps) computer communication skills. • http://www.gsu.edu/~wwwlrc/biographies/pbpz.html

8. Development of Language • Early Hypotheses- • Egyptian pharaoh reared two infants without letting them hear any voices, figured they would speak original language. • King James IV of Scotland tried the same thing and said thy spoke hebrew-go along with biblical scholars. • Swedish philospher of 17th century believed otherwise. In the Garden of Eden-God spoke Swedish, Adam and Eve spke Danish, and the serpent spoke French.

9. Development of Language • Scientific hypotheses- • Human language requires that the larynx be farther down in the throat than other primates. • Archaeologically this is hard to preserve, muscle and cartilidge. • Broca's area of the brain-sets speech aparatus in motion.

10. Evolution of speech • Very gradual, but probably came with H. Erectus (ca. 1mya) for several reasons. • position of larynx assoc with flexion at base of skull, skull with flat base assoc with high larynx as in primates. • Australopithecus-flat base, H. habilis not enough evidence, H. erectus some flexion, Archaic H. sapiens full flexion.

11. Structure of Language • Building blocks of language-phonology and grammar. • Phonology-sounds of a language, individual sounds are called phonemes. • Grammar-rules unique to each language. Governed by two aspects: Morphology and Syntax. • Morphology-the combination of phonemes to form meaningful units. These units are morphemes-the smallest units of speech that convey meaning. • Syntax-the principles guiding how these words are arranged into phrases and sentences.

12. Language and Culture • Culture influences language-particularly with vocabularly, any language will emphasize important words. • Language influences culture-or even determines a culture, actually shapes our thoughts and perceptions. • Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis • Sociolinguistics • The study of how people speak to one another in any given society. The relationship between language and social structure. • Diglossia • Dialects

13. Nonverbal Communication • Hand Gestures-we use them everyday, gesturing while we're talking or pointing. Some are cross-cultural, others are not- such as OK symbol. • Eye Contact-varies from culture to culture. U.S./Japan/Arabic groups • Touching-Some cultures are high-touch, while others are low-touch. High-touch=E. Europeans, Jews, and Arabs. Low-touch=N. Europeans such as Germans and Scandinavians.

14. American Gestures • COMMON GESTURES • Americans are a not touch (touch/not touch)oriented. • In normal social situations, Americans generally stand about 30 inches apart from one another, which is also considered their personal "comfort zone." • At sporting events or the theater, Americans usually slide into a crowded aisle while facing forward (forward/the people).

15. RIGHT, WRONG, OR RUDE • Handshake - Although generally adopted around the world. Southeast Asians press together; Japanese bow; Middle Easterners and many Asians favor a gently grip. • DIRECT EYE CONTACT - Asians, Puerto Ricans, West Indians, African American, Native Americans considered it to be rude, or disrespectful, or intimidating, or may indicate sexual overtones. • WAVING - "No" to most Europeans. Europeans raise the arm and "Bob" the hand up and down at the wrist." • BECKONING - Europeans and Asians raise the arm, palm facing down, and make a scratching motion with fingers. In Australia and in Indonesia, curling the index finger is used for beckoning animals. • "V" FOR VICTORY--In England, palm facing inward toward the face is an obscene gesture. • THE O.K GESTURE--In France it means zero. In Japan it means money or coins. In Brazil, Germany, and the former USSR., it is obscene gesture. • THUMBS UP --Also used for hitch-hiking in American. In Nigeria a rude gesture. In Australia, if pumped up and down is an obscene gesture. In Germany and Japan, the signal for "one." • WHISTLING--Throughout Europe, whistling at public events is a signal of disapproval, even derision. • NODDING AND SHAKING HEAD--Opposite meaning in Bulgaria, parts of Greece, Yugoslavia, Turkey, Iran, and Bengal.