The study of language

1. Provides humans with language
   1. through experiments people
      1. concluded Phrygian modern Turkey, must be the original language
      2. tend not to confirm the results of these types of ‘divine-source’ experiments

1. Primitive words could have been imitations of the natural sounds
   1. An object flew by, making a CAW-CAW sound
      1. the early human tried to imitate the sound and used it to refer to the thing associated with the sound.
         1. ONOMATOPOEIC

1. There are certain physical features
   1. which appear to be relevant for speech
      1. They are good clues that a creature possessing such features probably has the capacity for speech

1. Teeth
   1. Llips
      1. Mouth
         1. Larynx
            1. Pharynx
               1. Acts as a resonator for increased range and clarity of the sounds produced via the larynx
            2. Contains the vocal cords
         2. Relatively small compared to other primates
         3. Contains a smaller, thicker and more muscular tongue
            1. it can be used to shape a wide variety of sounds inside the oral cavity
      2. Have much more  The Study of Language intricate muscle interlacing than is found in other primates
      3. Their flexibiliity helps in making sounds likeporb
   2. Very helpful in making sounds such asforv
   3. Not slanting outwards like those of apes, and they are roughly even in height

1. Is lateralized

   Nota:

   • it has specialized functions in each of the two hemispheres
   1. left hemisphere
      1. controls motor movements

1. This seems to indicate that human offspring are born with a special capacity for language
   1. no other creature seems to have it,

1. communicative signals
2. informative signals

1. allows us to talk about things and places

1. the relationship between linguistic signs and objects in the world

1. creating new expressions and novel utterances by manipulating their linguistic resources to describe new objects and situations

   Nota:

   • fixed reference: The communication systems of other creatures do not appear to have this type of flexibility

1. we do not inherit their language

   Nota:

   • We acquire a language in a culture with other speakers and not from parental genes
   1. is crucial in the human acquisition process

Nota:

• Among other creatures, each communicative signal appears to be a single fixed form that cannot be broken down into separate parts

1. Distinct sounds
2. Distinct meanings

Nota:

• I want  to join all these concepts to "controversy"

1. Chimpanzees and language
2. Washoe
3. Sarah and Lana
4. Kanzi

1. specialization
   1. non-directionality
      1. rapid fade
         1. reciprocity
            1. prevarication
               1. language signals can be false or used to lie or deceive
            2. any sender of a language signal can also be a receiver
         2. language signals have no inherent direction and can be picked up by anyone within hearing
      2. language signals do not serve any other type of purpose such as breathing or feeding
   2. language signals are sent using the vocal organs and received by the ears