One of the most controversial topics that every linguist is faced with is whether or not animal language should be considered a language or not. There are many different facts that can either prove or disprove the claim that animal language is not truly a language. Before one can begin to discuss whether or not animal language is a language or not, there needs to be an understanding of what animal language is. Animal language is basically the animal’s ability to communicate with one another. Where the controversy of this topic comes to play is that no one can make a clear definite decision on whether or not animal language should be considered a language. As a linguist the question of what makes a language a language is a very important concept. …show more content…
Since, until we have proof to the contrary, human intelligence is more developed than animal, it would seem easier for us to learn animal language than for animals to learn our speech. Moreover, once a human scientist has decoded an animal language, he is able to understand all the members of his own species, present and future” (Borgese 4). Another point that has influenced some linguists to believe that animal language is not a language is the fact that animal language is not as complex as human language, however, one linguist gives evidence to support that animal language is complex, “Complex forms of communication are found among socialized, communal insects, such as ants, bees, wasps, and termites, and among social animals, such as antelopes, wild horses, wolves and beavers” (Brown 18). The way that Vinson Brown views the complexity of animal language is that all animals in a socialized setting are capable and have a complex system of language ability already in place. The way that other linguists view the complexity or lack thereof with animal language is because of the fact that the animals are unable to form thoughts and feelings to convey to others; their movements are meant for the basic emotions as discussed with the
9. Research on the language capabilities of apes clearly demonstrates that they have the capacity to:
“…animals, plants and even “inert” entities such as stones and rivers are perceived as being articulate and at times intelligible subjects, able to communicate and interact with humans for good or ill. In addition to human language, there is also the language of birds, the wind, earthworms, wolves and waterfalls – a world of autonomous speakers whose intents (especially for hunter-gatherer peoples) one ignores at one’s peril” (Manes 15).
Before getting into any great detail concerning the complexity of what language is and its relationship with the term Ebonics, Ebonics must first be defined. It is considered to be best described as “black speech” and therefore can be referred to as an “undefined language.” Many consider language to be a spoken tongue belonging to a nationality of people, so in general, and for the sake of clarity in this work, language is a general communication concept by which species relate to themselves and others. It is also a set of rules combined to establish a designated communication system.
Linguistics classifies language as a mechanism that permits free and creative expression of feelings into signs, and the opposite interpretation of such signs back into feelings (Christiansen & Kirby, 2005). According to Becker, 2005, “human language is seen as the last key evolution in the development of life on earth (2)”. His idea is that biological changes in humans are as a result of forces of evolution implying that human language originated from certain sources, and that its characteristics derived from human genes. Language by itself is a distinction amongst the various animal communication systems as it permits creation of infinite symbols through the innovative blending of finite vocabulary, using recursions (Caplan et al., 1984). In this regard, language is similar to the genetic code, which utilises a limited set of DNA bases to create numerous proteins.
Humans are aware that other humans have minds because we can share these experiences. The difficulty with validating whether animals have minds is that we cannot share experiences with animals, communication is difficult. Though this may be changing. Experts in symbolic language with chimps and apes are able to communicate with each other in sign language. ‘Experiments with chimps Koko and Washoe and gorilla Kenzi have shown that they are able to invent new words, construct abstract phrases and express their feelings using American Sign Language or computer-based symbolic language.’ This is hard scientific evidence proving that these primates do have intelligence and a mind nearly like our own, though the extent is far from being displayed.
This article discusses the form of communication that Gibbon monkeys use amongst their species. The argument that appears to be present throughout this article is that Gibbons are not only able to communicate with each other, but also that their communication system shares certain features with the human language system. Although I agree that this species’ communication system shares particular design features with the human language, the definition of language attests that this type of communication is not considered a language.
What really is a language and how does it affect the world around us? Language is just a structure of words put together to communicate with one another. When one speaks all they are doing is causing their vocal cords to vibrate to produce different sound waves. This sounds so simple, but there are thousands of languages spoken throughout the world and each language is usually connected to a certain place. When someone travels to a different place where a language is foreign to them it can be life-changing as in The Naked Eye. Language constricts our thoughts and identities with the world around us. I’m arguing that language is as much of a necessity in our world as food or water, it’s the basis on how we get through each and every day.
Language is a very powerful tool. It is a means of basic communication, and has been around for centuries. Just like any other tool, language can be powerful in a positive or negative way, and can either work to one's advantage or can result in negative effects. Certain words can touch a certain chord inside someone, so they can be easily influenced by the language. A good example of this is George Orwell's Animal Farm, a fable in which a multitude of gullible animals are exploited by a group of power mongering pigs. Words can appeal to a persons basic needs and desires and conjure up hope or even fear in his or her mind. These emotions can be manipulated by others to their own advantage, and clever use of language can be used to cheat, deceive, spread rumors. In Animal Farm, Orwell shows how the pig's use of influential language manipulates and enslaves the animals.
Language, according to Owens (2012, p. 6), “can be defined as a socially shared code or conventional system for representing concepts through the use of arbitrary symbols and rule-governed combinations of those symbols”. Language is thought to be a complex system; however, it can be broken down into three different components. These three components consist of content, form, and use. Within these three components, language has five main components which includes semantics, morphology, phonology, syntax, and pragmatics (Owens, 2012, p. 18).
... ability to learn grammar is what separates humans from animals in their means of communication.
Linguistics is the science of a language. Linguists depend on the use of certain aspects in order to analyse, describe and explain a human language; these aspects include semantics and pragmatics.
Next, we shall evaluate the key features of language which are; communicative, arbitrary, structured, generative, and dynamic. Communicative, language can allow one to interact with another. According to Willingham (2007), the bond found with the elements in language and what they mean is arbitrary. The way language is set up shows how the symbols are not arbitrary. The set up language shows precisely how intricate it can be. Generative, one is able to build countless number of meanings from words. Dynamic, language never stays the same, therefore it can be known as sporadic. According to Willingham (2007), changes are being made all the time as new words get added and as the ways of grammar change. These elements can be quite critical when it comes to language.
The example between Baum and his cat reveal instances and non-instances of verbal behavior, because even though the cat’s responses may not be vocal, there is still a reinforced past history of the responses via Baum as the listener. Non-instances of verbal behavior would be if gestures are excluded thus non-human animals would be unable to participate in verbal
Language is nothing but a media which expresses feelings, ideas, experiences and even pains properly to others. Cultural background is the origin of language. Language is one of the channels which promote human relations and human affections. Language always unites the people and sometimes language itself diverse the people. Without the language we cannot imagine the existence of human beings on the earth. Language is a system of words that people used to express thoughts, feelings each other. The word ‘language’ derived from Latin “lingua” which means ‘tongue, speech’. The word sometimes used to refer to codes, ciphers and other kind of communication systems. For example computer programming.