Intro to Language

Intro to LanguageAP Human GeographyMrs. Lacks

What is language?Language – a set of sounds, combinations of sounds, and symbols that are used for communication. Languages are not static, but change continuously.Preliterate societies – no written language

What is language?Dialects – differences in vocabulary, syntax (the way words are put together to form phrases), pronunciation, cadence (the rhythm of speech), and even the pace of speechIsoglosses – geographic boundary within which a particular linguistic feature occurs, move over time  (e.g. Soda, Pop)

How is language formed?

Language divergence – when a lack of spatial interaction among speakers of a language breaks the language into dialects and then new languages.

Language convergence –when peoples with different languages have consistent spatial interaction and their languages collapse into one.

Language is the heart of culture

Without language, culture could not be transmittedCultures of all sizes fiercely protect their language.  (ex. In 1975, France banned the use of foreign words in advertisements, television and radio broadcasts, and official documents.)

How do Languages Diffuse?

human interactionprint distributionmigration traderise of nation-statescolonialism

Spatial Interaction helps create:

Lingua franca –

A language used among speakers of different languages for the purposes of trade and commerce.Pidgin language –a language created when people combine parts of two or more languages into a simplified structure and vocabulary.Creole language –a pidgin language that has developed a more complex structure and vocabulary and has become the native language of a group of people.

Linguistic AnthropologyLinguistic anthropologists study the variation in human languages, the roots of human languages, and the role of language in shaping human thought and behavior.It is a subfield of cultural anthropologyMain areas of study:

How language is usedRelationship between language and cultureHow humans acquire language

A Linguistic Anthropologist would look at:Verbal languageNon-verbal language

Monolingual State a country in which only one language is spoken

Multilingual State a country in which more than one language is in use

Official Languageshould a multilingual state adopt an official language?

World LanguagesOver 7,000 languages spoken in the worldhttp://www.ethnologue.com/world

Language FamiliesIndo-European (Americas, Europe, Southwest Asia, Australia, South Africa)Sino-Tibetan (China, Southeast Asia)Japanese-Korean (Japan, Korean Peninsula)Afro-Asiatic (North Africa, Arabian Peninsula)Dravidian (India)Malay-Polynesian (Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Madagascar)Ural-Altaic (Russia, Northern Asia, Finland, Turkey)Niger-Congo (Sub-Saharan Africa)American Indian (South America, Meso-America, Northern America)

Language FamiliesLanguage families – have a shared, but fairly distant origin (e.g. Indo-European, Sino-Tibetan)Language subfamilies – commonality is more definite

Germanic: English, German, Danish, Norwegian & SwedishRomance: French, Spanish, Italian, Romanian, PortugueseSlavic: Russian, Polish, Czech, …Celtic: Welsh, Gaelic,…

Language groups – consist of sets of individual languagesEnglish is most spread, Chinese is most spoken (Mandarin: ~700 million)

Languages of Subsaharan Africa

- extreme language diversity

- effects of colonialism

Nigeriamore than 400 different languages.

EnglishGermanic LanguageFirst spoken in early Medieval England (5th century; Anglo-Saxons)Spoken by 328 million people worldwideThird most common native language (after Mandarin & Spanish)Lingua franca (unifying language)International language of communication, science, business, seafaring, aviation, entertainment, diplomacy

EnglishOld English:

Anglo-Saxon EnglandBest known work: Beowulf

Middle English: began after Norman ConquestBest known work: Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales

Modern English: since 1550Best known works:

ShakespeareKing James Bible

Beginning of colonization

Changes in LanguageLanguage changes by region

British English to American EnglishDialects within US vary by regionhttp://www.alphadictionary.com/articles/yankeetest.html

Dialects by Region

Dialects in the

Eastern United States

Soft Drinks, Sodas, or Cokes?

Regional Dialectshttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AIZgw09CG9E (Tangier Island)http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LvuWSJI87r8 (Gullah)

Changes in LanguageLanguages changes over timehttp://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1471629/bling-bling-added-dictionary.jhtml

http://qz.com/119200/oxford-dictionary-adds-twerk-derp-selfie-phablet-and-more-voguish-vocabulary/

Jazz Age GlossaryAll wetApplesauceBee’s KneesBelly LaughBerriesBig CheeseBull SessionBump OffCarry A TorchCat’s MeowCheatersCopaseticCrush

Wrong; arguing a mistaken notion or beliefA term of derogation; non-sense; baloneyA superb person or thingA loud, uninhibited laughAnything wonderful; similar to bee’s kneesAn important personAn informal group discussionTo murderTo suffer from unrequited loveAnything wonderful; similar to bee’s kneesEyeglassesExcellentAn infatuation with a person of the opposite sex

Jazz Age GlossaryDogsFall guyFlapperGiggle WaterGin MillGoofyHard-BoiledHeebie-Jeebie

Human feetA scapegoatA typical young girl of the 20’sAn alcoholic drinkA speak-easySillyTough; without sentimentThe jitters

90’s Language404411Bag OnCheck It OutCluelessCoolDa BombDig ItDipstickDisDogDropDrop KnowledgeDude

Clueless or naïveInformationTo tease, nag or complainPay attentionUnaware; naïve; lacking knowledgeCalm, fine, acceptable, neat excitingGreat; awesome; extremely coolDo you understand?A stupid personTo disrespectTo criticize sharply or act like a jerkTo give or tellTo share information or experiencePerson, especially male – greeting

90’s LanguageGet outta hereHang outJamRagRapRentsSchoolTotallyFor RealTripTurkeyWayWhat’s Up

You must be kiddingTo relax or to gatherTo leave; to goTo tease, put down, criticizeTo talk or a kind of musicParentsTo teach a lesson toVery, very muchTrue? Is it true?Unusual or strange, overreactSomeone who is stupid or sillyYes, positive affirmation to “no way”Hi. What’s new or happening?

Text LanguageBFFLOLBRBLMAOA3CMIIWFOMCLIYKWIMJJAMTFBWUOTTOMHPRWSBTSBCSMHIDUGTBK

Best friends foreverLaugh out loudBe right backLaughing my @$$ offAnytime, anywhere anyplaceCorrect me if I'm wrongFalling off my chair laughingIf you know what I meanJust joking aroundMay the force be with youOff the top of my headParents/people watchingSame bat time, same bat channelScratching my head in disbeliefYou’ve gotta be kidding

Percent of People 5 Years and Older Who Speak a Language other than English at Home