What are the six unique properties of language?

Answer 1

Properties of LanguageArbitrariness: This means that there is no direct relationship between the meaning of a word and either the way it sounds (when it is spoken) or the way it looks (when it is written). The only exception to this rule (specifically in the case of speech) is onomatopoeic words (words that sound vaguely like what they represent - eg: "bang," "pop," "splash," "scrape," etc.)

Duality: Refers to language's dual structure of meaninglessness and meaningfulness.

Discreteness: Words (which have meaning) are made up of parts which by themselves have no meaning.

Productivity: This property refers to the fact that language both written and spoken serves a purpose or function (see below).

Creativity: Despite the fact that language is made up of a finite number of parts, it is possible to create an infinite number of words.

Displacement: This refers to the way words (regardless of whether they are written or spoken) can be used to describe things that are not here or now.

Answer 2

1. Discreteness: Language is made up of discrete units (words, phonemes) that can be combined in different ways.
2. Productivity: Speakers can create infinite new sentences using the rules of grammar.
3. Duality of patterning: Language has a hierarchical structure with smaller units combining to form larger units.
4. Arbitrariness: There is no inherent connection between the sound of a word and its meaning.
5. Cultural transmission: Language is passed down from generation to generation through social interaction.
6. Displacement: Language allows us to talk about things not present in the immediate environment, such as the past or the future.