“Nine Ideas About Language” by Harvey A. Daniels Reference Viriginia P. Clark, et al.,(1985) eds., Language: Introductory Readings, 4° Edition, St. Martin's Press, pp. 18-36. Reprinted for York University Bookstore Course Kits, ESL1000 9.0/HUMA1220 9.0A, Canadian Language and Culture, Fall/Winter 2004/2005. pp. 43 - 61 Thesis Statement: “[M]ost of the uses of and apparent changes in language which worry the critics can be explained and understood in unalarming ways.” (Course Kit [hereafter CK], p. 43). “1. Children learn their native language swiftly, efficiently, and largely without instruction.” (CK, p. 44) * Language is an inherent human facility; * Young children who are exposed to a particular language will acquire it without instruction, "2. Language operates by rules." (CK, p. 45) * Rules are subconscious and incorporated without instruction; * Superficial grammar may vary from one language to another, as well as regionally. “3, All languages have three major components: a sound system, a vocabulary, and a system of grammar.” (CK, p. 46) * Phonology ~ children have the potential to make any possible human sound but are gradually limited to those sounds used in the particular language that they leam; * Semantics - children spontaneously categorize and classify words; * Grammar: the rule system of a language 1. dictates how language should be; 2. describes how language works. “4, Everyone speaks a dialect.” (CK, p. 48) * The Standard dialect is the language of power; * No dislectis in itself better than any other. “8, Speakers of all languages employ a range of styles and a set of subdialects or jargons.” (CK, p. 49) * Language variation is the norm, not the exception: * Various styles or registers (context/status/mode); + Jargon fosters feelings of belonging, association. © 2004 Courtney Fairweather“6, Language change Is normal.” (CK, p. 53) Simplification; Regularize: New social & technological developments; Neologisms: new words or expressions; Change Is much slower than most people think. “7. Languages are intimately related to the societies and individuals who use them." (CK, p. 56) * No language is easier or more difficult than any other; * Cognitive development occurs simultaneously with language acquisition; ‘+ Linguistic cognitive development reflects the circumstances of our environment and experience; * Language is central to our sense of self and loss of language can create feelings of severe anxiety and alienation. “8. Value judgments about different languages or dialects are matters of taste." (CK, p. 57) * No language is better or worse than any other: + Judgments about languages reveal prejudice and stereotypes “9. Writing is derivative of speech.” (CK, p. 59) * All cultures have language; © The existence of a written form of that language may aid communication but also inhibit growth and change. © 2004 Courtney Fairweather