Able Language 2

1. What are the functions of language?  Just provide the main ones Abel describes.

The functions are cognitive, or “language that transmits information” and it also operates expressively. Language can be used expressively, ceremonially, preformatory, and there can also be “phatic communication”. One function that able describes is ceremonial language, that is not expressive or cognitive but in fact it is preformatory. “they themselves are the sole instrument of their actions. Ex. “ I thank you” this does not describe the action of thanking but constitutes it.

 

2. What is significant about the story of the tribal boys and the table? 

The significance about the tribal boys and the table is that by pointing at something to learn a word in a new language you are unable to communicate what it is that you are trying to convey. It creates a giant ambiguity in communication.

 

3. What is the “inscrutability of reference?” (p. 228)

The “inscrutability of reference is that you are not able to clearly communicate to someone something, even just an object you are pointing to, by merely pointing at it. This is because there are two many objects in pointing range and different parts or descriptions to the object that may be misinterpreted as what is being pointed at

 

4. What does Abel mean when he says that “Words are mete breaths of air, or scribbled pencil marks, but as used in a ‘language game’ by a speech community they are not arbitrary? “( p. 228)

Abel means that words can only mean what they mean, hot cannot mean cold for example.

 

5. What is the difference between Animal and Human Language?

Animal language is more monotonous and automatic. It is produced based off a stimulus that an animal receives. When an animal sees a certain type of predator it makes a different noise then when it loses a child.

 

6. What is Chomsky’s argument on how humans learn language?  Be specific about linguistic competence.

Chomsky feels that language is not something that is learned as if you were a blank slate, but instead is genetically done, that humans have a special ability to learn language. He believes that most structure and rules are already in us at birth. He then thinks that we pick up the vocabulary and are able to put the language we learn together, through linguistic compentence.

7. What does Abel think about Chomsky’s argument?

Able does not agree with Chomsky, “I belive that it is not warranted to postulate a specific human attribute called linguistic competence.”

 

8. How would you answer Abel’s questions:” Would an infant learn to speak, although isolated from adults, he were constantly within earshot of a radio?” (p. 231)

I think a baby would learn to speak, because he or she is able to hear language, and since I agree with Chomsky, the baby would pick up the vocabulary and with linguistic competence be able to tie them together. The baby’s language would be limited to whatever is on the radio however.

 

9. Why does Abel believe that “language is not in fact unique in the spectrum of human capacities?” (p. 231)

Abel believes this because he thinks that it is only a small part in social interaction. That things like etiquette and social behavior are just as important and unique.

 

10. What does Abel mean when he says: “We all learn these codes of stance, mannerism, gesture, tactility, interpersonal behavior…yet we are equally unable to state them fully”? (p. 232)

Abel means that there are so many different rules to social behavior and so many exceptions that it is impossible to fully explain them. Like in the reading when the man tried to explain how to shake someone’s hand. He went off on a huge explanation and only left me with more confusion and more questions.