Linguistics ==> 20/11/2024

Questions for Sunday:

1. Why is it important for students of English as a second language to study language and linguistics?

2. What counts as a language?

Zawawi

Technical terms:

a. Discrete infinity ==> the ability of using a limited system of sounds or symbols to create a large number of words which can then be used to create an infinite number of sentence.

b. Displacement ==> Time/Place.

c. Abstract notions ==> Death, pride, sadness, regret and the quality of education.

Zawawi

Animal language is far less complex than human language because we have more words and more signs than animals. We also have the ability of using a limited system of sounds and symbols to create a large number of words which we then combine together to make an infinite number of sentences. Animals don't have that. Their communication system doesn't have a grammar, and they are unable to create new words. They can only talk about the present moment (their language is limited in terms of time) and their immediate environment (their language is limited in terms of place). Finally, animals cannot use their sounds and signs to talk about abstract notions such as life after death, pride or the quality of education.

Also, it is important to point out that animal language stimulus-dependent. That means they need a stimulus of some sort to use their language. Unlike humans, animal language relies heavily on instinct.

Zawawi

Animals only communicate about their instincts through sounds and body language.

Duha

Because it is limited in a few signals, cries, make a noise and sometimes they use body language

1.Animals use only a few sounds or actions.

2.They don’t make sentences and there is no grammar .

3.Most of their “talking” is natural not learned.

4.They can’t make new words.

Dunia Murad

They cannot express abstract ideas, past or future events, and lack grammar or complex structures like human language.

Mayar

Animal communication is simple and limited. Animals use sounds, body language, and smells to meet basic needs, like warning of danger or finding food. They lack a complex vocabulary or grammar and cannot discuss abstract ideas. Their communication is mostly context-specific, relying on their senses and not on tools like writing.

Maya

Animals communicate through sounds and signals, but their systems differ significantly from human language. Unlike human language, animal communication lacks complex syntax, expressiveness for abstract ideas.

Animals communicate about basic needs and cannot talk about big ideas. They use simple sounds or signs, not like human language.

Some of them use special senses which humans don’t have.

Malak Zaid.

humans' language is complicated but the animals' language is more direct and immediate. animals use their body language and specific calls between them.

lara

There are no words or grammar they only use sounds or movements like the bee dance Their communication is simple and linked to specific things like warning or searching for food.

Noor

Many people say that cats' language is understood from their tails.

Ibtisam

The communication system of animals is limited in many ways compared to our human language. Can you summarize some of them?

Zawawi

Being a speaker of a language means having the ability to combine a limited number of sounds or symbols to form words. These words are combined together to form an infinite number of sentences.

Zawawi

Do animals have a language and if they do, how is their language different from out human language?

Zawawi

1. What is the best definition of language and linguistics?

2. Why is it important for students of English as a second language to study language and linguistics?

3. What are your expectations about this course?

Zawawi