Arbitrariness of human language refers to how human linguistic signs do not have any internal connection between its form (sounds) and meaning (concept). The arbitrariness nature of human language occurs when humans hear a speech sound, and then match it by association with the meaning (concept) of the signal. The signal is not inherently meaningful however; it is just related to the meaning by instinct. This is why it is particularly incomprehensible to identify words from other languages of the world, as most languages are arbitrary. For instance food is represented as nourriture in French, alimentos in Portuguese, maisto in Lithuanian, and essen in German. In addition this highlights the need to grasp the form (sounds) represented by letters which signify meaning (concept) when learning a language.
Additionally arbitrariness is also evidenced through sign language, used by deaf people. The exception of arbitrariness in human language however occurs in sound symbolism such as onomatopoeic words, where the pronunciation of words is demonstrated by its meaning. Bang, clap and ring are examples of onomatopoeic words.
Discreteness is another distinctive property of human language, referring to the unique nature of phonemes used in human languages. A set of different phonemes are used within languages across the world. Each phoneme is unique and can be combined to create new specific meanings. New meanings can be formed by combining and repeating phonemes. There are continuous and abrupt changes in meanings. For instance the meaning of cat does not gradually change into bat. Speech pitch and sounds however can be continuously changed without abrupt changes in its meaning. Discreteness is non-existent within animal languages, indicating the differing level of communication between humans and all animal species.
Creativity is another distinctive aspect of human language. It refers to the ability of combining linguistic signs to form new expressions and sentences, allowing speakers to create and understand long sentences. Noam Chomsky has called this ability the creative aspect of human language use.
For example in French you can say:
C’est la piscine.
Or
Pendant l’été cette piscine est super.
Or
Etant donné qu’il faire très chaud pendant l’été, c’est super quand nous allons a la piscine.
Despite B.F Skinner’s alternative view that language is a set of learnt responses, Chomsky’s argument had prevailed over Skinner’s behaviourist. Chomsky’s ‘Universal Grammar’ theory proposed that language is innate for humans, as we are genetically programmed to acquire and use language.
Thus arbitrariness, discreteness and creativity are three distinctive properties of human language. These properties evidently set human language as a system of communication apart from the communication systems of all other animal species.
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