Linguistics

and how come everyone is so amazingly good at speaking?

Language

is one of the best windows into the workings of the human mind

gives us the extraordinary ability to describe the contents of our thoughts

Units of Language

are in some sense units of cognition

possible implication is that the study of what all languages share is also the study of what it is to be human

( studying how languages differ... more)

A tool to influence the beliefs of one another

Which toothpaste should I buy?

Who left the stove on?

How should I vote?

Why should I learn about linguistics?

How to make sounds

How to make words

How to make sentences

Phonology/Phonetics

Morphology

Syntax

How to make meaning

How to use context

Semantics

Pragmatics

How to make sounds

Put your fingers in front of your throat

and say the letters:

V and then F

S and then Z

P and then B

both lips

  • paint
  • bath
  • math
  • wipe

top teeth & lower lip

  • face
  • vase

tongue between  teeth. 

  • this
  • thistle

tongue behind top teeth. 

  • teeth
  • duck
  • sail
  • zoom
  • nail

tongue behind top teeth. 

  • teeth
  • duck
  • sail
  • zoom
  • nail

Buzz
Hiss
Pop

"Adam's Apple" contains vocal cords/folds that vibrate if close together.

Bernoulli effect causes fast opening & shutting, if regular, can be perceived as pitch.

( similar to balloon )

When air flow is stopped and then suddenly released, we hear a “pop” eg:

P, B, T, K, G,

Airflow through a narrow passage too small for it to pass smoothly. Can be created in many points of mouth eg:

F - pressing upper teeth into lower mouth

S - pressing teeth together

How to use sounds

Phonemes

How to make words

Morphology

Cat, Dog
Cat-s, Dog-s
Cat

2

How do we know how to form sentences?

We often struggle to explain why something feels right

How to make sentences

Syntax

Languages

Inuit,

Contact Languages

Tzeltal spatial relations, is the future uphill
Amharic

Linguistics

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Linguistics

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