Name of member : Laura Nuraini Saputri

Aulia Putri

Subject : Socialinguistic

Lecture: Syafrina Prihartini, S.Pd., M.Hum.

example of Characteristics of Human Language

1. Language is Arbitrary
 Word Forms Differ Across Languages: In English, the word for "dog" is "dog," while in Spanish,
it's "perro," and in Japanese, it's "inu." These words sound different and have no inherent link to
the animal. This demonstrates that there’s no natural connection between the word and its
meaning; it’s just a convention agreed upon by speakers of each language.
 Gendered Words in Different Languages: In French, "sun" is masculine ("le soleil"), and in
German, it’s feminine ("die Sonne"). This gender assignment doesn’t reflect any inherent trait of
the sun itself but rather shows that language assigns arbitrary grammatical genders to words.
 Idioms and Expressions: In English, people say “it’s raining cats and dogs” to mean heavy rain,
while in Japanese, there’s a similar saying, “wolf rain.” These phrases have no logical connection
to rain itself but are conventional expressions that convey meaning based on cultural usage.

2. Language is a Social phenomenon

 Rituals and Ceremonial Language - In many cultures, specific language is used in ceremonies,
such as weddings, funerals, or religious rituals. These words and phrases unite participants and
create a sense of shared experience and tradition.
 Group Jargon and Professional Language - Different professions or groups, like doctors, lawyers,
or gamers, often use specialized jargon that helps members communicate efficiently and creates
a sense of belonging within the group.
 Expressions of Emotion and Support - Language is used to show empathy, comfort, and
emotional support in social situations. For example, phrases like "I'm here for you" or "I
understand" strengthen bonds between people by allowing them to express care and
understanding.

3. Language is a Symbolic System

 Written Language - Letters and characters in a written language are symbols that represent
sounds or meanings. For instance, the word "tree" symbolizes a plant with a trunk and branches,
even though the letters themselves have no inherent connection to a tree.
 Traffic Signs and Symbols - In many languages, certain symbols, like a red octagon for "STOP,"
convey specific meanings. Although these aren’t spoken, they are part of a symbolic language
that communicates instructions universally.
  Mathematical Symbols - Numbers and mathematical symbols (like "+", "-", "=") are universally
understood across languages as representations of quantities or relationships, making them a
symbolic system within the language of mathematics.

4. Language is a Systematic

 Grammar Rules - Every language has grammar rules that structure sentences, such as subject-
verb-object order in English. For instance, "She eats an apple" follows a systematic pattern that
helps convey meaning clearly.
 Verb Conjugation - In languages like Spanish or French, verbs are conjugated based on tense,
number, and person. This systematic approach allows speakers to understand when an action is
happening and who is involved.
 Sentence Structure - Different types of sentences (like declarative, interrogative, and
imperative) follow specific structures to indicate statements, questions, or commands. For
example, in English, a question often begins with a verb or auxiliary ("Are you coming?"), which
signals its purpose systematically.

5. Language is Vocal, Verbal and Sound

 Spoken Conversations - When people speak with one another, they use vocal sounds and verbal
expressions to convey ideas, emotions, and information. This vocal aspect of language allows for
immediate and interactive communication.
 Animal Sounds in Storytelling - In storytelling or songs, humans use vocal sounds to mimic
animal noises (like "meow" for a cat or "woof" for a dog) to make the story engaging and
expressive. These sounds add a vocal element that complements verbal language.
 Phonetic Emphasis - Different sounds and tones can change the meaning or emphasis of words
in spoken language. For example, saying "What?" in a curious tone versus a surprised or
annoyed tone can convey entirely different meanings, relying on vocal inflection to express
nuances.

6. Language is Non- instinctive, Conventional

 Different Words for the Same Object - Different languages have different words for the same
object, such as "dog" in English, "perro" in Spanish, and "anjing" in Indonesian. These words are
conventional, as there is no natural reason one is more correct than another; they are agreed
upon within each language community.
 New Words for New Concepts - As society evolves, new words are created for new inventions or
ideas, like "smartphone" or "internet." These terms are not instinctive but are developed and
adopted through social agreement.
 Changes in Word Meanings Over Time - Many words change meaning over time based on
societal use. For example, the word "cool" once meant only "low in temperature" but has
become a conventional way to describe something fashionable or impressive.

7. Language is Productive and Creative

  Creating New Words and Slang - Language evolves with new words, such as "selfie" or "blog,"
and slang like "lit" or "ghosting." These new words and expressions emerge to describe modern
experiences or trends, showing the adaptability and creativity of language.
 Poetry and Literature - Writers and poets use language creatively to convey emotions, ideas,
and imagery. Through techniques like metaphor, rhyme, and alliteration, they can produce
unique expressions and evoke powerful feelings.
 Mixing Languages (Code-Switching) - In multilingual communities, people often mix languages or
switch between them in conversation, creating a unique blend that reflects their cultural
backgrounds. For example, "Spanglish" combines Spanish and English in creative ways to
communicate within specific communities.

8. Language is a System of Communication

 Syntax and Grammar: Language relies on a structured set of rules governing how words are
combined to form sentences. For instance, in English, the basic sentence structure follows a
Subject-Verb-Object order (e.g., "The cat (subject) chased (verb) the mouse (object)"). This
syntactic structure allows speakers to convey specific meanings and relationships between
ideas.
 Vocabulary and Semantics: The words in a language (its vocabulary) carry specific meanings that
can change based on context. For example, the word "bank" can refer to a financial institution
or the side of a river. The shared understanding of these meanings among speakers enables
effective communication and clarity in conversation.
 Pragmatics and Context: Communication often depends on the context in which language is
used. For example, the phrase "Can you pass the salt?" is typically a polite request, not a literal
question about someone's ability. Understanding the social context and implied meanings is
crucial for effective communication, highlighting how language functions within specific cultural
and situational frameworks.

9. Language is Human and Structurally Complex

 Ambiguity: The sentence "I saw the man with the telescope" can mean either that the speaker
used a telescope to see the man or that the man being seen has a telescope. This illustrates how
language can be structurally complex due to ambiguous phrasing.
 Tense and Aspect: In English, verb tenses convey different times and aspects. For example, "I
eat" (present simple) versus "I have eaten" (present perfect) indicates not just time but also the
completion of an action, showcasing grammatical complexity.
 Subjunctive Mood: The use of the subjunctive mood in sentences like "If I were rich, I would
travel the world" demonstrates complex structures that express hypothetical situations,
illustrating the nuanced ways humans communicate possibilities and desires.

10. Language is Unique, Complex, and Modifiable

 Unique Structures: Each language has its own unique grammatical structures. For instance, in
Hawaiian, the verb often precedes the subject and object (VSO structure), as in "E noho ana ke
 kaikaina i loko o ka hale" (The sister is sitting in the house), showcasing a distinct sentence
formation compared to English.
 Complex Expressions: Languages can express complex ideas through nuanced vocabulary and
idiomatic phrases. For example, the German phrase "Schadenfreude" describes the feeling of
pleasure derived from someone else's misfortune, a concept that requires multiple words in
English to convey.
 Modifiable Nature: Language constantly evolves and adapts over time. New words can be
created (like "selfie"), and existing words can change meanings or usage (e.g., "gay"
transitioning from meaning "happy" to referring to sexual orientation), reflecting societal
changes and technological advancements.