LANGUAGE

I. UNIVERSALS OF LANGUAGE

1. Wherever humans exist, language exists.

2. There are no “primitive” languages - All languages are equally complex and capable of
transmitting any thought that exists in the universe. New words for new ideas may be added to
the vocabulary of any language.
3. All languages change through time.
4. The relationships between sounds and meanings in spoken languages and gestures and
meanings in sign languages are subjective.
5. All human languages use a limited set of distinct sounds or gestures that are combined to form
meaningful elements or phrases, which in turn can be combined to form an infinite number of
sentences.
6. All grammars contain rules for the formation of words and sentences of a similar kind
7. Discrete sound parts, such as p, n, or a, can all be identified by a given range of sound properties
or features in any spoken language. A class of vowels and a class of consonants exist in any
spoken language.
8. Similar grammatical categories like, noun, verb is found in all languages.
9. There are semantic universals, such as “male” or “female” “animate” or “human” found in every
language in the world.
10. Every language has a way of referring to the past, negating, forming questions, and issuing
orders, among other things.
11. All language speakers are capable of producing and comprehending an infinite amount of words.
Every language has a way of forming sentences, according to syntactic universals.
12. Any normal kid, born anywhere in the world and of any cultural, geographical, social, or
economic background, is capable of learning any language that is presented to them. The
differences between languages cannot be attributed to biological factors.

II. TYPES OF LANGUAGE

a. Based on Origin
- Natural languages - spoken language
- Artificial language - restrictive language

a. Based on Communication Complexity

- Linguistic communication - Language is used in accordance with a system of signs that has been
developed.
- Non-linguistic communication - Involves those who convey knowledge by nonverbal gestures or system
instincts.

III. MAIN BRANCHES OF LINGUISTICS

1. Semantics: speaking of definitions and suggestions

2. Syntax: sign combinations expressing complex meanings
3. Morphology: the word forms and their connection to other words in the same language
4. Phonology: the systemic organization of sounds in a language