ENGL210I Lecture : Lecture 2
Document Summary
For example: the word like is used to express various things. Language was not created or invited, it evolves. Shaped by humans using it, it grows with our use to express things. Language has evolved to satisfy human needs. We make meaning to words by using it in a certain context. We use it to make connections with others. We use it to establish and confirm social roles. Kennedy is like sarah (the oldest form of using the word like ) English we call a dog a dog ; in french le chien . Only by convention we agree that a word refers to something specific. Descriptive linguists looks at the structure of language from how it is actually used. Prescriptive linguists look at language from how it should be used.