Analysis Of Harvey A. Daniels Nine Ideas About Language

Harvey A. Daniels writes about common concepts surrounding human language in his “Nine Ideas about Language.” According to Daniels, language critics believe language is changing. The changes that are being noticed are the increase in use of jargon and the lack of people speaking a standard dialect. Consequently, some linguists are describing these changes in language as a “crisis.” To refute this claim, Daniels looks to explain how language has basic features, structures, and operations. He then continues with nine ideas that show ideas of what linguists believe identify errors and misinterpretations of language.

The first idea presented by Daniels is “Children learn their native language swiftly, efficiently, and largely without instruction.”

The article explores the subconscious rules children follow in order to make meaningful and complex expressions. The rules being followed concern sounds, words, arrangements of words, and the social aspects of speaking. Additionally, Daniels explains the arbitral nature of language comes through each different language having a different set of rules. These rules arise from an unspoken consistent agreement among native speakers.

“Everyone speaks a dialect” is another language idea. A dialect is a variety of a particular language. Dialects most often obtain a certain set of lexical, phonetical, and grammatical rules that differentiate it from other dialects. Dialects are often related to geographical location. They remain intact due to isolation of other language forms. “Speakers of all languages employ a range of styles and a set of subdialects or jargons.” This idea simply means people adjust language to form to the social situation. There are five basic styles that people communicate in. Intimate communication is a fragmented, clipped code that occurs between individuals with a close personal relationship. Casual is the use of slang and abbreviations while talking. Consultative is when speakers provide more background information, and there are frequent interjections from the listener to signal understanding. Formal language is defined by the lack of participation from the audience as well the speaker’s opportunity to plan ahead of time in detail. The last type of language is Frozen which is language found in print and