LANGUAGE, MEANING AND FUNCTIONS
~ BY J. C. IRO
WHAT YOU MUST KNOW???
1. Language is used to communicate, describe or express feelings, emotions, desires, opinions and to ADVANCE ARGUMENTS.
2. Language exists as an art and as a science. When we consider the creative skills and the ability of language to express ideas, then we study it as an art. On the other hand, it is a science because it is systematic and follows a discoverable pattern.
3. There are four [4] theories of language on the HISTORY/ORIGIN OF LANGUGE in this study. Others exist, but the notable four will be our focus.
4. The theories of language include: (a) The Continuity-Based Theory (b) The Discontinuity-Based Theory (c) Chomsky’s Generative Based Theory and (d) The Functionalist Theories.
5. One of the key functions of language is to ‘preserve and transmit thought or knowledge’.
6. There exist other functions of language, which we will look at briefly. They include: declarative, emotive, directive, interrogative and multiple uses of language.
DECLARATIVE:
Here, we use language simply to pass information which is either affirmative or not. This function of language is often employed during teaching, conferences, symposiums, meetings, seminars etc.
EMOTIVE:
This function can also be called ‘the Expressive Use of Language’. Here, we use language to invoke or cause emotion, sympathy, pity or for persuasive purposes. In the emotive use of language, we are not only passing information but also expressing our feelings. This application of Language is guilty of a kind of fallacy known as ‘argumentum ad misericordian’ [i.e. an appeal to pity].
DIRECTIVE:
In the directive use of language, language is employed to issue commands to others even when it is against their will or desire. It makes use of vocal coercion [i.e. the use of vocal force].
INTERROGATIVE:
It [Language] is used here for investigatory purposes. To ask questions, seek explanations or clarifications. It involves the use of ‘WH – Questions’i.e. who, where, what, when, why etc.
MULTIPLE FUNCTIONS:
This OCCURS WHEN WE COMBINE THE OTHER FUNCTIONS OF LANGUAGE LIKE THOSE LISTED ABOVE. This occurs in some of our ceremonies such as weddings, Ordinations, child dedications even in court proceedings, sermons, comedy shows, debates etc.
7. Language equally possesses features and they include: (a) transparency (b) universality (c) relativity (d) meaningfulness (e) commissive use of language. THE ACRONYM FOR THIS IS – MR. CUT.
M – MEANINGFULNESS
R –RELATIVITY
C –COMMISSIVE USE OF LANGUAGE
U –UNIVERSALITY
T –TRANSPARENCY
The absence of AMBIGUITY in the use of language is a function of TRANSPARENCY. Here, we communicate ideas, feelings, reasons, intentions etc., intelligibly.
The quality of language cutting across all races, cultures, ethnicities etc., is a function of UNIVERSALITY of language.
Under RELATIVITY, we must know that while language is universal, the linguistic elements and structures depend on one’s civilization, geographical location and ethnic background. It also covers the possibility of words to assume different meanings in various contexts.
The quality of language ‘making much sense’ or conveying clear meaning is a function of MEANINGFULNESS. Meaningful statements are those that conform or correspond to the reality of things. It is in this light that reality is divided into – (a) existential/empirical and (b) transcendental or extra-empirical.
When we use language to make ‘commitments’ to the future in the form of vows, pledges, obligations, promises etc., it depicts the COMMISSIVE FEATURE OF LANGUAGE. The only challenge here is that we cannot confirm if these promises/vows were honored.
8. There are two [2] fundamental theories of Language – (a) The Picture Theory and (b) The Verification Theory.
9. The Picture Theory of Language can also be called The Picture Theory of Meaning. This theory was articulated by the German born Philosopher, LUDWIG WITTGENSTEIN in his famous work, TRACTATUS LOGICO – PHILOSOPHICUS. The theory held that ‘meaningful statements are those that can be defined or pictured in the real world’. Ludwig Wittgenstein claimed that ‘the underlying logical structure of language mirrors the logical structure of the world’.
10. The Picture Theory of Language is similar to the Correspondence Theory of Truth. Which states that, ‘for any proposition to be true or meaningful, it must correspond to fact or reality in the world’.
11. The Verification Theory of Language tends to draw a line between two sense of language – (a) the cognitive sense and (b) the non-cognitive sense. Analytical and Synthetic Statements are classified in the cognitive sense. An analytic statement is true by virtue of its form or structure while synthetic statements have factual meaning.
12. The analysis and conceptualization of language is centered on ‘meaning’. Hence, we must know what it is.
13. It was A. R. LACEY who mentioned that ‘meaning has something to do with communication’ while J. L. EVANS said that ‘the meaning of a word is simply the rules which govern its use and to ask for its meaning is to ask for the rules’. Therefore, a sentence is meaningful if it has use; we know its meaning if we know its use.
14. The senses of meaning are viewed from two perspectives: (a) broad and (b) narrow. In the broad sense, we have (i) referring expressions and (ii) descriptive expressions. The narrow sense on the other hand includes (a) denotation (b) connotation and (c) associations.
15. Definitions are not arguments or proofs but rather they are instruments of correct reasoning and communication. According to COPI, ‘definition is by SYMBOLS’. What is being defined is called ‘definiendum’ while what is used to define it is /are called ‘definiens’.
DEFINITIONS are necessary for various reasons such as:
· To Eliminate Ambiguity
· To influence Attitude
· To Increase Vocabulary
· To Explain Theoretically
· To Clarify Meaning
THE TYPES OF DEFINITIONS:
· Ostensive Definition: This is the art of pointing to objects instead of explaining the qualities of such objects.
· Lexical Definition: This is dictionary definition. It helps to create awareness on the conventional meaning of a term and its uses.
· Stipulative Definition: it is an informal way of assigning new meaning to existing terms or words. The new term is intended to serve as a secret code for a restricted group of people.
· Précising Definition: This definition is designed to render existing definition ‘clear’and to remove any sort of confusing or ambiguous elements.
· Persuasive Definition: This is the use of language by attaching ‘emotive’meaning to it.
· Theoretical Definition: This type of definition is used for ‘special, technical or scientific purposes’.
· Definition by Synonym: Here, we simply provide another ‘word or term’ that is nearest or almost the same in meaning to the one in view.
· EXTENSIONand INTENTION [research on them]
THE QUALITIES OF A GOOD DEFINITION:
· It was ARISTOTLE who laid the foundations for the study of the qualities of a good definition. He said every definition has two [2] essential components which he called ‘the genus’ and ‘the differentia’. Genus: ‘How a thing is similar to other things’ and Differentia: how it is unique and different from other things.
· A good definition should neither be too broad nor too narrow
· It should not be negative where it can be affirmative [positive]
· It should avoid vagueness
· It should not be circular
· It should state the essential attributes of the species
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