Bianca B.

Herrera AE1-1 September 4, 2023

DISCUSSION PAPER
Language is a sophisticated system of communication unique to humans, involving structured symbols,
typically spoken or written words, to convey thoughts, ideas, emotions, and information. It is a fundamental
aspect of human culture and plays a crucial role in our everyday lives. Linguists have identified several key
tenets or characteristics of language that help define and distinguish it as a unique human phenomenon. It
has several key tenets:
1. Arbitrariness: Words have arbitrary connections to their meanings.
2. Productivity: We can generate countless novel sentences.
3. Duality of Patterning: Language combines smaller units to create larger structures.
4. Displacement: We can discuss things beyond the immediate context.
5. Cultural Transmission: Language is learned and passed down culturally.
6. Semanticity: Words and signs carry specific meanings.
7. Structure-dependence: Language follows rules of syntax and semantics.
8. Creativity: We can form unique and creative utterances.
9. Multifunctionality: Language serves various communicative purposes.
10. Interchangeability: Speakers can both produce and comprehend language.

A theory is a comprehensive and well-substantiated explanation or model that seeks to describe and
understand a set of phenomena. It often involves a collection of hypotheses, observations, experiments, and
evidence that work together to provide a framework for understanding a specific area of knowledge.
Theories are usually broader in scope and may encompass multiple principles.

A principle, on the other hand, is a fundamental concept, guideline, or rule that is derived from a theory or
serves as a foundational truth within a specific domain. Principles are more focused and often represent key
ideas or laws that govern a particular aspect of a theory. They are the basic building blocks that help explain
and apply the theory.

In the field of language acquisition, there is a fundamental distinction between acquisition and learning that
forms the basis of the acquisition-learning continuum and dichotomy.
1. Acquisition: This refers to the subconscious, intuitive process through which individuals develop
language skills naturally, much like how children acquire their native language. It occurs through
exposure to meaningful language input in communicative contexts. Acquisition is often associated
with fluency, intuition, and the ability to use language creatively. It occurs without explicit
instruction and is more prevalent in informal settings.
2. Learning: Learning involves a conscious, rule-based approach to acquiring language. It typically
occurs through formal instruction, where individuals study and apply explicit language rules,
grammar, and vocabulary. Learning is often associated with formal education and the acquisition of a
second language (L2). It can be more analytical and may result in a deeper understanding of
language structures.
Acquisition-Learning Continuum: This concept suggests that language development exists on a
continuum between acquisition and learning. At one end, acquisition is the dominant mode, while at the
other end, learning plays a more prominent role. In the middle, there is a blend of both processes. The idea is
that language acquisition is a more natural and effective way to develop conversational fluency, while
learning is valuable for gaining explicit knowledge about a language's structure.

Linguistic competence and linguistic performance are two key concepts in linguistics introduced by
Noam Chomsky. They help distinguish between a speaker's underlying knowledge of a language and their
actual use of language in real-world situations.
1. Linguistic Competence: This refers to an individual's innate and internalized knowledge of the
rules, structures, and principles that govern a particular language. It includes knowledge of syntax
(sentence structure), semantics (meaning), morphology (word formation), phonology (sound system),
 and other aspects of language. Linguistic competence represents the idealized, abstract understanding
of a language that native speakers possess, regardless of whether they can articulate or apply these
rules explicitly.
2. Linguistic Performance: Linguistic performance, on the other hand, pertains to the actual use of
language in real-life communication. It encompasses the practical application of linguistic
competence to produce and comprehend speech and writing. Linguistic performance can be
influenced by various factors, including memory limitations, processing constraints, and external
factors such as fatigue or distractions.

Phonology:
Phonology is the study of the sound patterns in a language. It investigates how sounds function in
a specific language, including the distinction between speech sounds (phonemes) that convey
different meanings and the rules governing their pronunciation. Phonologists analyze the
abstract, underlying aspects of language sounds.
Morphology:
Morphology examines the structure of words. It explores how words are formed from smaller
units called morphemes, which are the smallest meaningful units in a language. Morphology
investigates processes like affixation (adding prefixes or suffixes), compounding, and inflection
(changing word forms) to create and convey meaning.
Syntax:
Syntax is concerned with the arrangement of words and phrases to form grammatical sentences.
It studies the rules and principles governing sentence structure, including word order, sentence
constituents (e.g., subjects and predicates), and how these elements combine to convey meaning.
Syntax helps us understand how sentences are constructed.
Semantics:
Semantics focuses on the meaning of words, phrases, and sentences in a language. It explores
how words and linguistic structures convey specific meanings and how context influences
interpretation. Semantics deals with the logical, conceptual, and contextual aspects of meaning.
Pragmatics:
Pragmatics examines language use in context. It goes beyond the literal meaning of words and
considers how language functions in communication, taking into account speaker intentions,
implied meanings, social conventions, and the impact of context. Pragmatics helps us understand
how people use language effectively in real-life situations.
Grammar is a fundamental concept in linguistics that encompasses the rules and structures
governing language. Here's a brief explanation of various aspects of grammar:

Prescriptive Grammar:
Prescriptive grammar provides explicit rules and norms for "correct" language usage. It often reflects
formal standards and is found in style guides and grammar textbooks. It prescribes how language should
be used, emphasizing adherence to established conventions.
ii. Descriptive Grammar:
Descriptive grammar aims to objectively describe how language is naturally used by speakers. It focuses
on analyzing and documenting the structures and patterns present in real-world language usage,
regardless of whether they conform to prescriptive norms.
iii. Mental Grammar:
Mental grammar refers to the internalized, subconscious knowledge that speakers have about the
structure and rules of their native language(s). It includes the mental representation of phonology,
syntax, morphology, and semantics that allows individuals to understand and produce language.
iv. Universal Grammar:
Universal grammar is a theoretical concept proposed by Noam Chomsky. It suggests that humans are
born with an innate, universal linguistic framework shared across languages. This innate structure
influences the way we learn and produce language, providing a foundation for linguistic diversity.
v. Grammatical vs. Ungrammatical:
In linguistic analysis, sentences and phrases are categorized as either grammatical or ungrammatical
based on whether they adhere to the rules of a specific language. Grammatical structures are considered
well-formed and conform to the language's syntax, while ungrammatical structures violate those rules
and may not be comprehensible or meaningful.

1. Language: A language is a complex system of communication with distinct vocabulary, grammar,

2. Dialect: A dialect is a variant of a language spoken by a specific group of people within a larger
linguistic community. Dialects often share a common linguistic base with the standard language but
may differ in terms of pronunciation, vocabulary, and grammar. Dialects are often regionally or
socially based and are not standardized. They are considered part of the larger language and can vary
significantly within the same language community.

1. Linguistic Determinism:
Linguistic determinism, often associated with the strong version of the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis,
suggests that language determines or strongly influences the way people think and perceive the
world. In other words, speakers of different languages experience reality differently because their
language shapes their cognitive processes. This view posits a strong link between language and
thought, where the structure and vocabulary of a language limit or determine what can be
conceptualized and expressed.
2. Linguistic Relativism:
Linguistic relativism, associated with the weak version of the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis, proposes
that language influences thought and perception but does not rigidly determine them. Instead, it
suggests that different languages predispose speakers to focus on certain concepts or aspects of
the world, leading to variations in how they perceive and express ideas. Linguistic relativism
acknowledges the influence of language on cognition but allows for individual and cultural
variability in thought.
In essence, linguistic determinism implies a stronger and more deterministic connection between
language and thought, while linguistic relativism acknowledges a more nuanced relationship that
allows for flexibility and cultural diversity in how language and thought interact.

REFERENCES:
1. Whorf, B. L. (1956). Language, Thought, and Reality: Selected Writings. MIT Press. Benjamin Lee
Whorf's writings, including the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis, delve into these concepts.
2. Lucy, J. A. (1992). Language Diversity and Thought: A Reformulation of the Linguistic Relativity
Hypothesis. Cambridge University Press. This book provides an extensive exploration of linguistic
relativity and its implications.
3. Trudgill, P. (2002). Dialects and Accents. Blackwell Publishing. This book offers insights into the
study of dialects and accents and their role in language variation.
4. Crystal, D. (2003). English as a Global Language. Cambridge University Press. While not
specifically about the language-dialect distinction, this book discusses the global nature of languages
and dialects.
5. O'Grady, W., Archibald, J., Aronoff, M., & Rees-Miller, J. (2010). Contemporary Linguistics:
An Introduction. Bedford/St. Martin's.
6. Fromkin, V., Rodman, R., & Hyams, N. (2018). An Introduction to Language. Cengage Learning.
7. Krashen, S. D. (1981). Second Language Acquisition and Second Language Learning. Pergamon
Press.
8. Krashen, S. D. (1982). Principles and Practice in Second Language Acquisition. Pergamon Press.
9. Lightbown, P. M., & Spada, N. (2006). How Languages Are Learned. Oxford University Press.
10. Pinker, S., & Jackendoff, R. (2005). "The Faculty of Language: What's Special About It?" Cognition,
95(2), 201-236.