Properties of Human Language | Psychology for UPSC Optional (Notes) PDF Download

Introduction

Human language serves as a fundamental tool for communication and interaction among individuals. It has evolved from abstract symbols to become a systematic form of expression. Currently, there are over 7,100 languages spoken worldwide. Language functions as a crucial institution that facilitates human interaction through the use of commonly understood oral-auditory arbitrary symbols. This article explores the properties of human language, highlighting its formalized structure, versatility, and unique features.

Formalized Form of Speech

Human language represents a formalized form of speech. Grammar defines the structure of a language, while vocabulary consists of its free-form elements. Communication among humans primarily occurs through the use of languages, which can be conveyed orally, visually, or in written form. Many languages, including widely used ones, have writing systems that allow the recording of sounds or signals for future reference. The transmission of human language is not limited to a single medium and exhibits significant variation across cultures and over time. Human languages possess the characteristics of productivity and displacement, relying on social conventions and education.

Properties of Human Language

Although languages differ greatly from one another, they all share a common genetic basis and are processed in similar ways by the human brain. Despite employing different sounds, languages adhere to a few basic rules in the arrangement and combination of these sounds. If there were no shared, universal characteristics of language, the sounds and combinations would be randomly changing. However, language sounds and their combinations are structured and constrained. The same restrictions apply to the formation of phrases and sentences across all languages.

Reflexivity

While communication is not exclusive to human language, humans possess a unique ability to examine and reflect upon their expressive messages. This quality, known as reflexivity, sets human language apart. Unlike other organisms, humans engage in metacognition, considering language and its applications. For instance, humans can consciously modify their speech to convey a desired effect, such as making their barks more intimidating. In contrast, animals communicate without analyzing or reflecting on the development of their messages.

Displacement

Displacement is a characteristic of human language that allows individuals to discuss events and concepts beyond the immediate present. Unlike animal speech, which is primarily focused on the present moment, human language enables discussions about past and future events. Humans can talk about abstract entities and imaginary realms, such as angels, fairies, and mythical creatures, even though their existence cannot be proven. While some animals, like bees, exhibit a limited form of displacement in their communication, it does not match the breadth of possibilities found in human language.

Arbitrary

One of the fundamental properties of language is its arbitrariness. Words in a language often lack a direct or logical relationship to their meanings. For example, the English words for the first three digits are "one," "two," and "three," while the corresponding Chinese words are "yi," "er," and "san." Even onomatopoeic words meant to imitate sounds, like "ding-dong" or "click," vary across languages. The interpretation of sounds, even a dog's bark, is influenced by the arbitrary sound filters of each language. This characteristic highlights that no language's sounds or combination methods are superior or inferior to those of another.

Cultural Transmission

Unlike physical traits, linguistic traits are not inherited from parents through genes. Language is learned within a community of speakers, rather than being genetically predetermined. For instance, an infant born to Korean parents but raised by English-speaking parents in the United States will physically resemble their biological parents but speak English. This process, known as cultural transmission, involves passing down a language from one generation to the next. While humans possess an innate propensity for language learning, the ability to speak a particular language is acquired through exposure and social interaction.

Productivity

Productivity, also referred to as creativity or open-mindedness, is a hallmark of human language. It signifies the infinite potential for creating new utterances within any human language. When encountering a novel word, people often question its validity. However, linguistically, any word that adheres to a language's morphological and phonological principles and makes contextual sense is considered a legitimate word. Human languages offer the flexibility to invent new terms by modifying existing linguistic resources, allowing for constant linguistic evolution.

Duality

Human language exhibits duality, organizing information simultaneously at two levels. Individual sounds, such as "n," "b," and "I," possess no inherent meaning when considered in isolation. However, when combined, they form different meaningful units. For instance, the combination of sounds in "bin" conveys a different meaning than the combination in "nib." This duality of levels is a practical aspect of human language, enabling the creation of diverse sound combinations (words) using a limited set of sounds.

Other Features

Human language encompasses various additional features that, while not unique, contribute to its complexity. These features include:

• Vocal-Auditory Channel: Human verbal communication primarily relies on vocal organs and is perceived through the auditory channel. Linguistic communication can also occur through writing, devoid of sound. Other animals, such as dolphins, also utilize the vocal-auditory channel for communication.
• Directional Reception and Broadcast Transmission: Auditory signals can be heard by any nearby auditory system, and the source can be determined through the direction-finding abilities of the ears.
  
• Rapid Fading: Auditory communications are transient and do not wait for the convenience of the hearer, unlike written or visual forms of communication.
  
• Interchangeability: Any individual within a linguistic community can assume the roles of both speaker/sender and listener/receiver of linguistic signals.
  
• Total Response: Speakers have the ability to hear and reflect upon their own speech, a unique feature not present in visual displays. This feature is often observed in animal courting behaviors.
  
• Specialization: Speech sound waves solely convey meaning, unlike other forms of sound, such as music. For example, dogs' loud panting serves a physiological function, distinct from the purpose of human speech.
  

Conclusion

The study of human language is as diverse as the languages themselves. Its properties, structure, diversity, and uniqueness make it a fascinating field of exploration. Linguists, philosophers, and scientists continue to discuss the nature and function of language, seeking consensus on the origins of human communication. At the level of language learning, several principles come into play, including understanding sound systems, word meanings, and appropriate social contexts. The complexities and intricacies of human language continue to captivate scholars, offering a rich avenue for further inquiry and understanding.