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What Is Language

Human language is a system of arbitrary vocal signs that have qualities of universality, innateness, and creativity. It is rule-governed and uniquely human. Linguistic signs represent concrete objects, events, and abstractions through sequences of sound. There are three types of linguistic signs: iconic signs resemble what they represent; indexical signs have a necessary connection to what they represent; and symbolic signs are conventionally related to what they represent.

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Paulina Cardinale
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37 views

What Is Language

Human language is a system of arbitrary vocal signs that have qualities of universality, innateness, and creativity. It is rule-governed and uniquely human. Linguistic signs represent concrete objects, events, and abstractions through sequences of sound. There are three types of linguistic signs: iconic signs resemble what they represent; indexical signs have a necessary connection to what they represent; and symbolic signs are conventionally related to what they represent.

Uploaded by

Paulina Cardinale
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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What is language?

Human language is a system of arbitrary vocal signs, having the qualities of universalities,
innateness and creativity. Particular attention is given to the rule-governed nature of language.
Language is also seen as uniquely human.

Language is a system of arbitrary vocal signs. Language is rule-governed, creative, universal, innate
and learned. It is also distinctly human.

Linguistic signs- what are they? How can you classify them? Mention two examples of each.

Human language consists of signs, which are defined as things that stand for or represent
something else. Linguistic signs involve sequences of sound which represent concrete objects and
events as well as abstractions. Signs may be related to the things they represent in a number of
ways. Peirce recognized three types of signs:

- Iconic: which resemble the things they represent (photographs, diagrams, star charts,
chemical models)
- Indexical: which point to or have a necessary connection with the things they represent
(smoke to fire, a weatherclock to the direction of the wind, a symptom to an illness, a
smile to happiness, a frown to anger)
- Symbolic: which are only conventionally related to the thing they represent (a flag to a
nation, a rose to love, a wedding ring to marriage).

Nature of grammar: descriptive and prescriptive.

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