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If you mean, What theory is there about the origin of language, the answer is that there are many, many such theories, each with a funny little name. And each is probably right in its own little way, too, but none accounts for everything satisfactorily. The bow-wow theory, for example, has our ancestors imitating animal sounds. Ma-ma theory holds that words began at our mother's breast. That undoubtedly happened for many words of a certain kind, but the bow-wow theory and the ma-ma theory cannot go on to shed any light on the reason for a pluperfect subjunctive mood or the meaningfully different sing-song tones of Chinese.
The list of good books on this subject is too long to even begin. But the consensus is that no one really has a clue how or why language arose. It simply happened too long ago. There is no primitive form of human language, and no trace of any, to compare anything to, or to provide any certainty about the origin of anything. But it's fun to think about and to talk about. Ontogeny recapitulates phylogeny ( some say), and it is known that children who have not been exposed to human language before a certain very young age will never learn to speak as adults. So how did we get it? Maybe the Martians came down and started it after all, a very popular theory in some circles. There are also more scientific theories about what actually constitutes language, or a language. Does the dance of the honey bee qualify? It conveys abstract meaning concerning the nature and size and the distance and direction ( measured in polarized light! ) of unseen things. How about the chemical newspapers of the ants, that instantly galvanize their millions to act as one. Perhaps even the flashing lights of squids will be understood to reveal that organized quality of thought that is language.
We humans hope to be the only people on the planet, but the use of language is exactly what distinguishes a person from an ape or a fish. If the whales and the chimps and the spotted owls could speak there would be civil rights lawyers instead of tree-huggers defending them, and they might have a chance.
There are theories about why language arose, too, and one interesting theory is that the first purpose of language was deceit, it being impossible to lie effectively using only the "body language" and the hoots and harsh cries of our wild cousins.
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∙ 8y ago
A theory of language is a framework or set of principles that seeks to explain how language works, including its structure, use, acquisition, and evolution. Different theories of language can focus on various aspects such as syntax, semantics, phonetics, or pragmatics, and offer explanations for how humans generate and interpret language. Examples of theories of language include generative grammar, cognitive linguistics, and sociocultural theory.
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Which of the two-chomsky's theory of competence or Hymes theory is worthy of application in language teaching?
Both Chomsky's theory of competence and Hymes' theory have value in language teaching. Chomsky's theory of competence emphasizes underlying linguistic knowledge, while Hymes' theory focuses on the practical use of language in social contexts. Language teaching can benefit from incorporating aspects of both theories to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of language structure and communication skills.
The hybrid theory of language learning supports the notion that infants learn language through what method?
The hybrid theory of language learning suggests that infants learn language through a combination of both innate biological abilities (such as universal grammar) and environmental input (such as exposure to language from caregivers). This theory posits that both nature and nurture play a role in language acquisition.
Which are three theories that explain the origin of language?
The bow-wow theory suggests that language originated from imitating natural sounds in the environment. The gestural theory proposes that language began as a system of gestures and signs. The social interaction theory posits that language evolved to facilitate social communication and cooperation among early humans.
What are the characteristics of the sociolinguistic theory?
The sociolinguistic theory focuses on the relationship between language and society. It emphasizes that language use is influenced by social factors such as social class, gender, ethnicity, and culture. The theory also recognizes that language variation and change are natural and result from social interactions and linguistic choices made by individuals or communities. Additionally, it highlights the importance of studying language in its social context and the role of power and identity in language use.
Did Tomasello agree with Chomsky's Theory of Language Acquisition?
No, Tomasello did not agree with Chomsky's Theory of Language Acquisition. Tomasello proposed the usage-based theory, which emphasizes the role of social interaction and cognitive processes in language development, rather than a universal grammar proposed by Chomsky.
What is expressivepower of a language in automata theory?
What is expressive power of a language in automate theory is a language Hierarchy
Behaviorism as a theory of language teaching and learning?
Behaviorism views language acquisition as a result of imitation, reinforcement, and repetition. In language teaching, behaviorist principles are applied through drills, repetition exercises, and positive reinforcement to strengthen desired language behaviors. This approach emphasizes the importance of practice and conditioning to build language skills.
What is the sing song theory?
the theory that the language come from songs
What is the mentalistic theory?
The mentalist theory of language acquisition is one of two theories, which also includes the behaviors theory. Mentalist theory states that children learn language and environment is not interfered with.
What is the agricultural theory?
The agricultural theory refers to the hypothesis that the transition from a nomadic hunter-gatherer society to a settled agricultural society was a key development in human history. This shift allowed for the development of complex societies, permanent settlements, and the emergence of economies based on farming and domestication of plants and animals.
How maslow's hierarchy of needs theory how can use English language teaching?
Maslow's hierarchy of needs can be applied in English language teaching by ensuring that students' basic physiological needs such as a safe and comfortable learning environment are met. Teachers can then focus on fulfilling higher level needs such as a sense of belonging and self-esteem through group activities and feedback. Ultimately, helping students achieve self-actualization in their language learning journey by providing opportunities for personal growth and creativity.
What are the relevant of knowing theory of language development?
what are the relevance of knowledge theories of language development
What are the characteristics of the sociolinguistic theory?
The sociolinguistic theory focuses on the relationship between language and society. It emphasizes that language use is influenced by social factors such as social class, gender, ethnicity, and culture. The theory also recognizes that language variation and change are natural and result from social interactions and linguistic choices made by individuals or communities. Additionally, it highlights the importance of studying language in its social context and the role of power and identity in language use.
Who invented the language expectancy theory?
The language expectancy theory was developed by Allan Paivio and Miles Tversky in the mid-1970s. It proposes that readers have certain expectations based on their knowledge of language that influence how they interpret text and process information.
What is the behavirism and Cognitivism Theory on Second Language Acquisition?
Behaviorism theory of second language acquisition focuses on the role of reinforcement and conditioning in learning language, emphasizing practice and repetition of language skills to build fluency. Cognitivism theory emphasizes the mental processes involved in language learning, such as memory, problem-solving, and understanding language structures, viewing language acquisition as a complex cognitive process. Both theories highlight the importance of practice and meaningful interaction in acquiring a second language.
Did Tomasello agree with Chomsky's Theory of Language Acquisition?
No, Tomasello did not agree with Chomsky's Theory of Language Acquisition. Tomasello proposed the usage-based theory, which emphasizes the role of social interaction and cognitive processes in language development, rather than a universal grammar proposed by Chomsky.
What is the conquest theory?
The conquest theory is a hypothesis proposed by researchers to explain the spread of Austronesian languages in the Pacific. It suggests that Austronesian-speaking people migrated and expanded through a series of maritime conquests, establishing dominance over indigenous populations. This theory has been used to account for the linguistic and cultural diversity found in the Pacific islands.
