I’m going to say something about language..Something that we use every day, but I have no doubts,that not many of us have ever become thoughtful about what it really is.
Unfortunately, there are so many scientists interested in what actually language is and as always there are many definitions for language. Therefore, there is no unanimous opinion on what it is. Due to this fact and shortage of time I’ll mention just two of them. So one scientists say that language is system relating symbols to meaning and proving rules for combining and recombining the symbols for communication. Others say: language is the communication of information through symbols arranged according to systematic rules. I guess all of us should pick the most suitable definition for each of us.
Although scientists do not agree on what language is it looks like there are no arguments about what it is made of. I think that trying to understand language is equally important to understand all parts of it. So, the main structure of language is grammar, which deals with tree major components of language: Syntax, Phonology , Semantics. Now I’d like to say something more about these parts.
To begin, grammar. Grammar is a system of rules that determine how our thoughts can be expressed. In other words, it is the study of rules governing the use of language. It is important to know that every language has its own grammar. Even the same language has some different kinds of grammar. For example, the grammar we are learning at school is called prescriptive grammar. It covers how we’re supposed to speak and write by addressing appropriate style and correct sentence formation. The grammar that interests linguists is descriptive grammar, the collection of rules and principles which tell people how to create and understand an almost infinite number of utterances in their own language.
Then there is, syntax. Syntax is the ways in which words and phrases can be combined to form sentences.
Next, phonology- the study of smallest units of speech, called phonemes. Phonemes are divided into vowel phonemes and constant phonemes.
And the last, but not least- semantics. It is the meanings of words and sentences. Semantic rules allow us to use words to convey the subtlest nuances.
Now, when we know what the language is made of we should find out how we do lean it. Or should I say did learn. Even though infants can not speak but still they are communicating to the world. By the age of a month, a child is already distinguishing between similar sounds. Later (at age of 3 month through 1 year) they start babbling, which means making speechlike but meaningless sounds. Allover the world babies babble the same sounds. But luckily in the end of this stage the sounds that babies make begin to resemble the language of their caretakers. Moreover, after age of 1 year, children begin to learn more complicated forms of language. During this period they start using telegraphic speech. That’s sentences in which words not critical to the message are left out. It sounds if they were part of a telegram. As children get older they use less telegraphic speech and produce increasingly complex sentences. This also leads to errors. At age of 3 years children start to apply language rules even when the application results in an error. It is called overgeneralization. Finally by the age of 5 years children have acquired the basic rules of language.
Anyone can learn a new language. People who can use two languages well are bilingual. Children especially can learn to be bilingual, because they remember new information faster than adults. They can learn two languages at home, at school, or in the community. Some people learn both languages very well. But sometimes, they know one language better than the other. The language bilingual people know better is called the dominant language. Over time the dominant language may change, especially if it isn’t used regularly. Speaking two languages is like any other skill. To do it well, we need lots of practice.
There are many different advices how to become a bilingual. One way is to use two languages from the start. For example, one parent uses one language while the other parent uses another language.
Another is to use only one language at home. Children can learn the second language when they start school.
And the last I’m going to mention is to try to hear and practice using both languages in everyday situations as much as possible.
Furthermore, there are many resources you can use to become a bilingual. First, you can read in both languages. You can find the books you need at bookstores, at libraries, and on the Internet. Tapes and CDs in other languages can help too. Singing is a great way to start learning a second language, and it can be lots of fun! Moreover, children's programs are available in many languages. These programs often teach children about numbers, letters, colors, and basic vocabulary. So you can begin from easy things. You can also learn to be bilingual at language camps or in bilingual education programs. These give you the chance to use two languages with others.
@->--
Literature:
Linda L. Davidoff ‘Introduction to psychology’, 1987
J. Lapė, G. Navikas ‘Psichologijos įvadas’, 2003
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/
http://www.asha.org/public/speech/development/Bilingual-Children.htm
Unfortunately, there are so many scientists interested in what actually language is and as always there are many definitions for language. Therefore, there is no unanimous opinion on what it is. Due to this fact and shortage of time I’ll mention just two of them. So one scientists say that language is system relating symbols to meaning and proving rules for combining and recombining the symbols for communication. Others say: language is the communication of information through symbols arranged according to systematic rules. I guess all of us should pick the most suitable definition for each of us.
Although scientists do not agree on what language is it looks like there are no arguments about what it is made of. I think that trying to understand language is equally important to understand all parts of it. So, the main structure of language is grammar, which deals with tree major components of language: Syntax, Phonology , Semantics. Now I’d like to say something more about these parts.
To begin, grammar. Grammar is a system of rules that determine how our thoughts can be expressed. In other words, it is the study of rules governing the use of language. It is important to know that every language has its own grammar. Even the same language has some different kinds of grammar. For example, the grammar we are learning at school is called prescriptive grammar. It covers how we’re supposed to speak and write by addressing appropriate style and correct sentence formation. The grammar that interests linguists is descriptive grammar, the collection of rules and principles which tell people how to create and understand an almost infinite number of utterances in their own language.
Then there is, syntax. Syntax is the ways in which words and phrases can be combined to form sentences.
Next, phonology- the study of smallest units of speech, called phonemes. Phonemes are divided into vowel phonemes and constant phonemes.
And the last, but not least- semantics. It is the meanings of words and sentences. Semantic rules allow us to use words to convey the subtlest nuances.
Now, when we know what the language is made of we should find out how we do lean it. Or should I say did learn. Even though infants can not speak but still they are communicating to the world. By the age of a month, a child is already distinguishing between similar sounds. Later (at age of 3 month through 1 year) they start babbling, which means making speechlike but meaningless sounds. Allover the world babies babble the same sounds. But luckily in the end of this stage the sounds that babies make begin to resemble the language of their caretakers. Moreover, after age of 1 year, children begin to learn more complicated forms of language. During this period they start using telegraphic speech. That’s sentences in which words not critical to the message are left out. It sounds if they were part of a telegram. As children get older they use less telegraphic speech and produce increasingly complex sentences. This also leads to errors. At age of 3 years children start to apply language rules even when the application results in an error. It is called overgeneralization. Finally by the age of 5 years children have acquired the basic rules of language.
Anyone can learn a new language. People who can use two languages well are bilingual. Children especially can learn to be bilingual, because they remember new information faster than adults. They can learn two languages at home, at school, or in the community. Some people learn both languages very well. But sometimes, they know one language better than the other. The language bilingual people know better is called the dominant language. Over time the dominant language may change, especially if it isn’t used regularly. Speaking two languages is like any other skill. To do it well, we need lots of practice.
There are many different advices how to become a bilingual. One way is to use two languages from the start. For example, one parent uses one language while the other parent uses another language.
Another is to use only one language at home. Children can learn the second language when they start school.
And the last I’m going to mention is to try to hear and practice using both languages in everyday situations as much as possible.
Furthermore, there are many resources you can use to become a bilingual. First, you can read in both languages. You can find the books you need at bookstores, at libraries, and on the Internet. Tapes and CDs in other languages can help too. Singing is a great way to start learning a second language, and it can be lots of fun! Moreover, children's programs are available in many languages. These programs often teach children about numbers, letters, colors, and basic vocabulary. So you can begin from easy things. You can also learn to be bilingual at language camps or in bilingual education programs. These give you the chance to use two languages with others.
@->--
Literature:
Linda L. Davidoff ‘Introduction to psychology’, 1987
J. Lapė, G. Navikas ‘Psichologijos įvadas’, 2003
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/
http://www.asha.org/public/speech/development/Bilingual-Children.htm
