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Language Structure


There are currently over 7,000 languages spoken in our world today, and each of these languages can sound vastly different, but they all share some universal facts.  They all tend to be fluid or dynamic, meaning they change over time.  Word meaning changes; word spelling changes; phonology changes; morphology changes.  Language is vastly complex.  Languages all have structure. 

Educators must be aware of the components of spoken language.  Phonemes are the sounds that make up a language.  Pitch is the actual vibration of the vocal chords that helps to impart meaning to a statement.  Stress is a component that gives a variety of meaning to words.  All of these parts of oral language make differences that teachers must be aware of.

Written language is similarly complex.  Spelling alone is very difficult.  Morphology (the study of the units of meaning in a language) requires careful study and flexibility of thought since "rules" do not always apply.  Semantics, syntax, and context all weave together to help define language.

Nonverbal communication is another fact of language that must be considered.  Body language, including eye contact, expressions, and distance when communicating all help to convey meaning without using specific verbal messages.

Given the complexity of language, it seems to me that it’s a wonder we can communicate at all.  Yet, communicate we do and in many, many varieties of language.  Teachers of English learners must especially be mindful of the seemingly infinite components of language.  This knowledge will help these teachers to recognize the extensiveness of their students’ emerging language.

Chapter 2

Comments

  1. Dr. DApril 6, 2017 at 7:33 AM

    Good discussion - have you had any examples of ELL student English production with some of its errors and non-standard forms you could discuss at some point?

    ReplyDelete

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