Foundation of Language Studies
by: ELLYZZA JILLIAN AXALAN
TOPIC 1: What is Language ?
OVERVIEW:
Linguistic Knowledge
What is Grammar?
What is Not (Human) Grammar?
Language and Thought
TOPIC 2 : Morphology: The Words of Language
Content Words and Function Words
Morphemes: The Minimal Units of Meaning
Rules of Word Formation
Sign Language Morphology
Morphological Analysis: Identifying Morphemes
Definition
Language is ....
System of Communication:
. Uses symbols (spoken, written,
Combines Symbols: or signed) to convey meaning.
Grammatical rules determine
how symbols (words, sounds)
are combined. Express Ideas: Allows
sharing of thoughts, feelings,
and information.
Varieties: Includes spoken,
written, and signed forms.
Linguistic Knowledge
Understanding of Language Structure: Language Variation: Knowledge of dialects,
Knowledge of how language is organized, sociolects, and language change.
including phonetics, syntax, semantics,
and pragmatics.
Descriptive vs. Prescriptive:
Descriptive linguistics observes and describes
how language is used on a normal basis.
“I was, like , really tired”
Language Acquisition: Prescriptive linguistics tells how language
How individuals learn and use language should be used.
from infancy to adulthood. “I was really tired. “ (avoid using “like” as filler)
GRAMMAR
Rules and structures governing how
Components : words and sentences are used in a language.
1. Phonology : rules for combining sounds into words
a. Example: the sounds /p/ and /b/ differentiate words like "pat" and "bat".
The /p/ sound is voiceless, while /b/ is voiced.
[Link]: rules for combining words into phrases and phrases into sentences
a. Example: "She reads books" (correct) vs. "Reads she books" (incorrect).
[Link]: rules of word formation
a. Example: "Talk" (base form) vs. "Talked" (past tense).
[Link]: Marks that clarify meaning.
a. Example: "Let's eat, Grandma" (inviting Grandma to eat) vs. "Let's eat Grandma"
(implying harm to Grandma).
[Link]: rules for assigning meaning of words and sentences.
d. Example: “The news hit him hard”
Figurative ( The news deeply affected or upset him)
Literal ( The news physically struck him , which is not the intended meaning)
What is Not (Human) Grammar?
Non-Linguistic Rules: Arbitrary Rules: Descriptive vs. Prescriptive Norms:
Communication can vary; not all
Grammar applies to human Some systems don't follow strict follows strict grammar rules.
language, not to systems like grammar rules. (non-standard rules)
computer code or animal signals.
Example: Computer code follows
Example: Text messages might use Example: In poetry or casual speech,
programming syntax, not human
shortcuts like "u" for "you," or the people might break grammar rules for
grammar. For instance, print("Hello,
World!") is code syntax, not use of slangs such as (LOL and effect, like "Ain't nobody got time for
language grammar. OMG) , which breaks traditional that," instead of "Nobody has time for
Animal signals, such as a dog grammar rules but is understood in that." which is understood despite not
barking to go outside, do not follow that context. following standard grammar.
the grammatical rules of human
languages. They are more about
conveying immediate needs or
emotions.
Descriptive vs. Prescriptive Norms:
Descriptive Norms: Prescriptive Norms:
This approach observes and describes how This approach sets rules about how language should be
language is actually used in real life, even if it used according to traditional grammar standards.
doesn’t follow traditional grammar rules.
Example: A prescriptive rule would insist on saying
Example: People would usually say "Nobody has time for that"
"Ain't nobody got time for that."
In simple terms, descriptive norms describe how people actually
talk, while prescriptive norms dictate how people should talk
according to traditional grammar rules.
What is Language and Thoughts?
Language and thoughts are closely interconnected.
Language helps us express and organize our thoughts
Can you buy
me some
snacks ?
I’m hungry! thoughts can shape how we use language.
TOPIC 2 : Morphology: The Words of Language
Discussion Point
Rules of Word
Morphological
Formation
Analysis: Identifying
Content Words and
Morphemes
Function Words
Morphemes: The Minimal Sign Language
Units of Meaning Morphology
CONTENT WORDS AND FUNCTIONAL WORDS
“open class words” “closed class words”
Content Words: Carry the primary meaning of a sentence. Include nouns,
verbs, adjectives, and adverbs.
Examples: dog, run, happy, quickly.
Function Words: help connect content words and indicate relationships
between them. Include prepositions, conjunctions, articles, and pronouns.
Example: in, and, the, she.
Derivation: Creating new words by adding
prefixes or suffixes.
Example: unhappy (prefix un-)
happiness (suffix -ness).
Compounding: Combining two or more words to form a
new word.
Example: toothbrush (tooth + brush)
blackboard (black + board).
Inflection: Modifying words to express grammatical
features such as tense, number, case and degree.
"She" (nominative case, subject) →
"Her" (objective case, object)
"Talk" (present) → "Talked" (past)
"Book" (singular) → "Books" (plural)
"Tall" (positive) → "Taller" (comparative) → "Tallest" (superlative)
Morphemes: The Minimal Units of Meaning
Definition: The smallest units of meaning or
grammatical function in a language.
Two Types:
Free Morphemes: Stand alone and carry meaning.
Example: cat, play.
Bound Morphemes: Must attach to other morphemes to
convey meaning. Example: -s (plural), -ed (past tense).
Other example : Happiness
Free morpheme = happy
Bound morpheme = ness (suffix)
Detective Morphee!
EXAMPLE
word : played
root morpheme : play
bound morpheme : ed (past tense)
word : running word : lazier
root morpheme : root morpheme :
bound morpheme : bound morpheme :
word : dishonest word : boxes
root morpheme : root morpheme :
bound morpheme : bound morpheme :
Sign Language Morphology
The study of how signs are structured
and formed in sign languages.
Handshapes: The shape of the hand used in
signing.
Locations: Where signs are made relative to
the body.
Movements: The motion and direction of the
signs.
Facial Expressions: Convey grammatical
aspects and emotions.
WHAT DOES IT SAY?
Morphological Analysis: Identifying Morphemes
3 Process
Segment Words: Break down words into their component morphemes.
Example: unhappily → un- + happy + -ly.
Identify Morpheme Types: Determine if they are free or bound.
Analyze Functions: Understand the role of each morpheme in conveying
meaning or grammatical function.
REFERENCE:
Fromkin, V. et al. (2014). An
Introduction to Language (10th ed).
New York. Wadsworth Cengage
Learning.
Thank You....