The Language Theory provides broad explanatory value for why and how language is used the way it is and moves beyond simplified judgments and binary explanations. For example, scientists study how language is acquired, which brain processes are involved when it is used, language phonetics and morphology, syntax, and semantics. In particular, Ellis says that languages are “emergent, social, integrated phenomena” (40). No less important, the regional, social, cultural, and historical impacts are studied to derive broader perspectives on how people communicate. This paper aims to develop a language manifesto defining specific beliefs about language that lead to particular social and cultural outcomes and suggest a call to action that will address these outcomes.
To start with, the scholars pay much attention to how the language is acquired. Moscowitz (85) defines the process of language acquisition as divided into five structural cognitive stages. She mentions “the holophrastic stage (one-word utterances), the two-word stage, the telegraphic stage, the acquisition of function words, the process of rule formation, semantic processes, and the phonology and actual articulation of utterances” (Moscowitz 85). Many scholars focus on the structural aspects of language cognition and acquisition. However, the planes of perception, identity formation, and social-cultural ‘governing’ of the surrounding world with words should also be considered.
Interestingly, children learn their native language swiftly, efficiently, and mostly without instruction. Pagel assumes that young babies have a strong motivation to use the language originating from curiosity and the necessity to survive (“How Language Transformed Humanity”). Equally important, Pagel says that language has a function of social learning through imitation and communication (“How Language Transformed Humanity”). Young children consciously and unconsciously emulate parents out of the desire to please them and out of fear of ostracization. In other words, children naturally seek to learn the art of speaking, so that parents and adults can understand the ‘gist’ of what they wish to communicate. This human’s ability to imitate and absorb information through learning from others had a particular outcome. It led the nations to see their states as developed civilized societies with breathtaking technologies created to satisfy the citizen’s basic and complex needs.
Language has a lot to do with personal identities and cultures. People with various cultural backgrounds live in environments that influence their native languages and even mold the language semantics and morphology. This inherent interdependence between the words and the objects and processes they describe puts the social-cultural perspective in the first place. Interestingly, Language Theory gives a broader perspective on interpersonal dynamics, reflected in nuances of how people speak and write to distinguish their personalities and cultural belonging. This is realized through the use of dialects, emotions, and writing styles. Such linguistic identity is usually bound with the circumstances of cultural belonging to particular nations and regional communities, social isolation and inclusion, and personal experiences.
Different languages that are spoken globally describe various concepts with distinct cultural overtones. These concepts influence individuals’ ways of thinking, and their social perceptions. They are shaped and structured by a series of processes and ‘fine-tuning’ that occurred during their formation. As Mark Pagel eloquently describes it in a TED Talk, “Language really is the most potent trait that has ever evolved. It is the most valuable trait we have for converting new lands and resources into more people and their genes that natural selection has ever devised” (“How Language Transformed Humanity”). Therefore, the presented beliefs imply that language has become something more powerful than mere sounds, written words, or their meanings. The described attitudes to language suggest that people should see it as a potent tool that provided humanity with the limitless ability to discover, create and improve the material worlds they entered. Moreover, this potential was acquired through interpersonal cooperation inspired by cultural rules, collective needs, and generalized moral values and principles.
Given the above, the functional aspect of communication deserves the utmost attention. Pagel emphasizes that the very process of evolution of the human race happened thanks to the skills of communication and social learning, which led to the ability to change the world according to the needs of the speaker (“How Language Transformed Humanity”). The scholar says that “Even the simplest acts of exchange that we engage in are utterly dependent upon language” (“How Language Transformed Humanity”). The straightforward call to action could be derived from the outcomes brought by the language beliefs: humans should learn how to benefit from their ability to communicate and use the language as a social and cultural tool.
Thus, this language manifesto defines specific beliefs about language that lead to social and cultural outcomes implying the call to action. To reach the peak of human evolution, people should clear up the metaphysical space for social cooperation that is based on the ability to effectively communicate with no limits and boundaries. This can be done through the protection of human rights and dignity, such as the freedom of speech and freedom of the press. Moreover, the ability to find a ‘common language’ should be seen as the most critical human trait or skill, as it is the determining factor of social and economic success.
Works Cited
Ellis, Nick C. “Essentials of a theory of language cognition.” The Modern Language Journal, vol. 103, 2019, pp. 39-60.
“How Language Transformed Humanity.” TED, uploaded by TEDGlobal, Web.
Moskowitz, Breyne Arlene. “The Acquisition of Language,” In Language: Introductory Readings by Clark, Virginia, Eschholz, Paul, and Alfred Rosa, eds., 7th ed. Macmillan Education UK, 2018.