LINA01H3 Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Jean Berko Gleason, Steven Pinker, Tnf Receptor Associated Factor
Document Summary
The underlying structure is the same for that person to speak english that it is for you to speak english. 100 different languages spoken in the gta over 15 different language families. Language is organized in language families ; english is a sister to dutch and related to german etc. 911 in toronto is equipped to respond to calls in 150 languages: toronto is unique in its linguistic diversity. Language is uniquely human, the thing that makes us human. The study of language provides us with a window into which we can investigate what it means to be human. Understanding the fundamentals of linguistic diversity gives us a better understanding of the diverse cultures around us and makes us more thoughtful citizens. Linguistics is the scientific study of human language and language use. What does scientific mean in the context of language study: you do not learn a language by imitation, the human brain can break it down.
