Link to glossary

 

 

 

English Structures

Yes: Using language does not require on-the-spot, two-way communication.
Yes: The boy uses the English language as he plays his video game on the TV. This clip raises the question of whether another human must be present in order for a communication system to be language. The answer is generally that the purpose of language is meaningful communication with other users, not that meaningful communication is present in every instance of the use of language.
No: As far as we humans have determined, whale song is not symbolic, nor is it arbitrary. It is undoubtedly communication, but we have nt yet determined that it shares all the characteristics of human language.

No: The parrot is not actually using language Even if he learns that when he says cracker he gets one, or if he says Stop it someone will leave him alone. It that language? No. These would be trained reactions to specific actions. The link between the word cracker and the actual cracker is not arbitrary for the parrot. The word stop probably isn't understood as a separate word from it, so there is no understanding of how parts can be combined and recombined in new ways. The parrot's use of English lacks creativity.

Even so, the words are part of a language, just not for the parrot. The words of the parrot are similar to those on a tape recorder--the repeating of a piece of a human's spoken language that has lost enough creativity that it shouldn't be called langauge any more.

No: Communication is present, but symbolism, creativity, arbitrariness and a system are lacking.
Yes: While not English, these humans are using a system of symbols to communication with each other. All human speech fulfills all the requirements of the definition.
Yes: English is used by humans for communication with other users of English. English is a language.

The Definition of Language

Pages: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 Moodle TESL 551: Ryan   Houts-Smith
 

 

 

 

 

Before teaching someone else a new language, you need to understand the structures, or the forms, of language. In other words, you need to understand how languages are "built." You need a grasp of both the features present in language in general as well as the features particular to the one language you will teach to your students. It is also helpful to know something of the features of the native languages of your students even if you do not know enough about them to speak any of them.

We will begin looking at the features of language in general and then move on to consider the features of English. Some contrasts and comparisons will be made between English and other languages. While there are some features all languages share, there are others that some languages have and other languages don't. When we look at a feature that is not part of the structure of English, we will have to look at other languages to see these features.

Perhaps the best place to begin, then, is to simply consider the question, "What is language?" This will lead us to understanding language in general. To get started thinking about the answer to this question, go through the activity below with the question, "Is this language?" in mind.

Activity: Is This Language?

As you view each video clip, make sure you spend enough time with it to tell yourself whether you would call the situation a use of language or not and why you would say that. Then click on the "yes" if you have decided that the video shows a use of language or "no" if you think the video does not show a use of language.

Close browser window after watching video.

Click on "yes" or "no" as appropriate after studying sample. Click on pop-up box to close explanations.

Sample 1 - Select "Conversational Phrases," on top menu. Pick an option from the lefthand side, then select a phrase. Is this language?
Yes: This is language. It is not spoken, but the actions are meaningful and communicate something to another person who knows the language. New signs can be added as new words are needed. Consider, too, that this is not just a representation of a spoken language; that is, this is a unique language, not a modified form English.
Yes
Sample 2 - Watch this video. Is this a form of language?
Correct: This is not language. Language is not just any kind of interaction between two creatures. It is interaction of a certain kind: it must communicate something from one individual to another. And it must communicate it in a clear and unequivocal way. Language must have rules.
No
Sample 3 - Listen to this video. Is this language?
No: Bird song is created through the vocal tract of the bird, like spoken language, and other birds seem to understand it, but is there a difference between communication and language? Most linguists believe so. For example, do birds create a new note or a new series of notes in response to a change in their world? Or are their songs the same all the time?
No
Sample 4 - Listen to the video. Is this language? Yes
Sample 5 - Watch and listen to the video. Is this language? Yes
Sample 6 - Watch and listen to this video. Is this language?
No
Sample 7 - Watch and listen to this video. Is this language?
No
Sample 8 - Watch and listen to this video. Is this language?
No
Sample 9 - Watch and listen to this video. Does this constitute language? Yes
Sample 10 - Watch and listen to this video. Is this language? Yes

Key Features of Language

Now that you have considered what situations you think include language, what would you say are some of the key features of it? That is, if you were to write a definition of language, what words would need to be included in it? Some words that others have suggested are:

  • Symbolic
  • Meaningful
  • Creative
  • Systematic
  • Human
  • Communication

These are all good suggestions, and we might combine all these ideas into one definition as follows:

One Possible Definition of Language

Language is a system of arbitrary symbols that humans use to create meaningful communication with other users of the same language.

 

Continue to Part 2

American Sign Language The sign language used by the deaf community in the United States.
Test of English for International Communication. A standardized exam for Educational Testing Services that is intended to determine the general capability of an NNSE to use English to conduct business. It is used by some businesses, predominantly in Asia, in hiring.
Test of English as a Foreign Language. A standardized exam from Educational Testing Services that is intended to determine the general capability of an NNSE to use English as the language of insruction .It is used as an admissions requirement by most US universities and colleges for international students.
Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. A term that encompasses both TEFL and TESL. It is the name of the professional organization to which many teachers belong. TESOL the organization has many regional affiliates both in the US and abroad.
Teaching English as Second Language. Refers to the activity of teaching the English language as a tool necessary for some daily task like instruction, shopping, or interpersonal interactions.
Teaching English as a Foreign Language. Refers to the activity of teaching the English language as an intellectual, academic pursuit to non-native speakers of English.
Native Speaker of English. Refers to a person who acquired English in infancy and young childhood as a first language.
Native Speaker. Refers to a person whose relationship to a language is that it was encountered in infancy and young childhood as the dominant language of the environment.
Non-Native Speaker of English. Refers to a person who didn't acquire English as a first language, but came to it after another language was established.
Non-Native Speaker. Refers to a person whose relationship to a particular language is that he/she didn't encounter it while initially acquiring language, but came to it after another language was established.
Limited English Proficient. An adjectival phrase used to refer to the same students as ELL refers to. LEP is falling into disuse as it focuses attention on student deficiency rather than on the positive attribute of learning. Is being replaced by ELL.
Second Language. Refers to any language gained subsequent to the first or native language. It is acquired or learned secondarily to the native language. Doesn't refer to the ordinal numbering of languages, only to the relationship of a particular language to a persons native language.
First Language. Refers to the language that an individual encounters as an infant and young child; a persons native language.
English for Specific Purposes. Refers to the goal of learning English to use it for highly focused activity, such as for business or for aviation communication.
English as a Second Language Program. refers to a school program that is purposefully structured to provide instruction on the English language to NNSEs. An ESL program does not typically include instruction in any other subjects than English. An ESL program may be a component of a larger ELL program at a school.
English as a Second Language. Refers to the subject matter of the English language and the methodology for teaching the English language to non-native speakers. ESL makes no reference to the subjects other than English, but it is not methodology alone either, it refers to teaching the English language as content area. Typically, ESL refers to the study of English in a country where it is used for at least one daily task, such as instruction, interpersonal relations, or shopping.
English Langauge Learner Program. Refers to a school program that is purposly structured to provide instruction on the English language and instruction in other content areas to English Language Learners.
English Language Learner. Refers to students who are in the process of learning English, whether they are in ESL classes exclusively or a combination of ESL classes and other subject area classes.
English as a Foreign Langauge. Refers to the study of English as an intellectual, academic pursuit, not a a language whose use is necessary or desirable for daily life, although it may be used as a research tool. Typically, EFL is the study of English in a country where English is not a language of instruction or daily interactions, such as in Italy or in Saudi Arabia.
English for Academic Purposes. Refers to the goal of learning English to use it as the language of instruction for other subject areas.
Refers to a school program that is purposely structured so that students will use two languages on a daily basis.
Refers to the use of two languages in any capacity on a daily basis. A bilingual person uses two languages on a daily basis--for work and at home, perhaps, or for different subjects at school. Can also refer to the ability to use two languages, even if not used daily.