Wednesday, March 18, 2020

Definition and Examples of Duality of Patterning

Definition and Examples of Duality of Patterning Duality of patterning is a characteristic of human language whereby speech can be analyzed on two levels: As made up of meaningless elements;  i.e., a limited inventory of sounds or phonemesAs made up of meaningful elements; i.e., a virtually limitless inventory of words  or morphemes  (also called  double articulation) Definition [D]uality of patterning, says  David Ludden, is what gives language such expressive power. Spoken languages are composed of a limited set of meaningless speech sounds that are combined according to rules to form meaningful words (The Psychology of Language: An Integrated Approach, 2016). The significance of duality of patterning as one of the 13 (later 16) design features of language was noted by American linguist Charles F. Hockett in 1960. Examples and Observations Human language is organized at two levels or layers simultaneously. This property is called duality (or double articulation). In speech production, we have a physical level at which we can produce individual sounds, like n, b and i. As individual sounds, none of these discrete forms has any intrinsic meaning. In a particular combination such as bin, we have another level producing a meaning that is different from the meaning of the combination in nib. So, at one level, we have distinct sounds, and, at another level, we have distinct meanings. This duality of levels is, in fact, one of the most economical features of human language because, with a limited set of discrete sounds, we are capable of producing a very large number of sound combinations (e.g. words) which are distinct in meaning.(George Yule, The Study of Language, 3rd ed. Cambridge University Press, 2006) Duality of Language and Animal Communication The level of sounds and syllables is the province of phonology, while that of meaningful elements is the province of grammar and semantics. Has this kind of duality any analog in animal communication systems?... The short answer to [that] question seems to be no.(Andrew Carstairs-McCarthy, The Origins of Complex Language: An Inquiry Into the Evolutionary Beginnings of Sentences, Syllables, and Truth. Oxford University Press, 1999) It is hard to find clear and uncontroversial examples of duality of patterning outside our own species. But let us say that we can find them- and there is evidence, from the way some animals like birds and dolphins manipulate melodies, that this might be true. This would mean that duality of patterning is a necessary condition for a communication system to be a human language, but that by itself it may not be enough. There is no human language without duality of patterning.(Daniel L. Everett, Language: The Cultural Tool. Random House, 2012) Hockett on Duality of Patterning [Charles] Hockett developed the phrase duality of patterning to express the fact that discrete units of language at one level (such as the level of sounds) can be combined to create different kinds of units at a different level (such as words)... According to Hockett, duality of patterning was probably the last feature to emerge in human language, and it was critical in separating human language from other kinds of primate communication...The most difficult bit to figure out is how and when duality of patterning could have emerged. How did individuals manage to isolate various bits of calls so that they could be endlessly combined into arbitrary symbols? Hockett thought that if two calls each had two distinct parts, then perhaps something in the blending process might alert individuals to the existence of discrete units. If you can combine breakfast and lunch into brunch, then does that alert you to the possibility that br is a distinct unit of sound that is combinable with other dis tinct units of sound? Solving this puzzle remains one of the thorniest of the problems in determining how language became possible.(Harriet Ottenheimer, The Anthropology of Language: An Introduction to Linguistic Anthropology. Wadsworth, 2009) The Structures of Phonology and Syntax The question of whether the structures of phonology and syntax are separate and distinct is relevant to the notion of duality of patterning... The division between meaningful and meaningless elements is less sharp than it appears, and the fact that words are composed of phonemes is arguably just a special case of the pervasive hierarchical structure that is present in language...Of all Hocketts design features, duality of patterning is the most misrepresented and misunderstood; in particular, it is frequently conflated with or linked to productivity (Fitch 2010). Hockett seems to have regarded duality of patterning as the single most important breakthrough in the evolution of language (Hockett 1973: 414), yet he himself was unsure whether to ascribe duality of patterning to the dance of the honeybee (Hackett 1958: 574).(D.R. Ladd, An Integrated View of Phonetics, Phonology, and Prosody. Language, Music, and the Brain: A Mysterious Relationship, ed. by Michael A. Arbib. MIT Press, 201 3)

Monday, March 2, 2020

10 Vital Reasons a Study in Psychology Can Come in Handy in Everyday Life

10 Vital Reasons a Study in Psychology Can Come in Handy in Everyday Life 10 Vital Reasons a Study in Psychology Can Come in Handy in Everyday Life Do you think that the study in psychology is all about boring research and textbooks? You couldn’t be more wrong. Psychology is the study of human behavior. It’s the foundation of our relationships, our motivations, our conflicts, and our obstacles. On a basic level, psychology is really everything, and we use it every day without even knowing it. Here are all the ways that studying psychology can help you. Motivation. Studying psychology helps you understand the reasons why you want something, whether it’s good grades, a new job, or to go to a certain school. When you know the reason you want something, you will set clear goals and work much harder. Decision making. Whether it’s choosing a career or deciding what to eat for breakfast, psychology gives you the tools to analyze a decision from multiple perspectives to make the right choice. You will learn about the â€Å"six hats† of effective decision-making: the rational, the emotional, the intuitive, the creative, the positive, and the negative. Finances. Often our emotions lead us to make poor choices where money is concerned. You may put off saving for things like graduate school or even retirement. Or you may buy something you don’t really want that much because all your friends are buying it. Psychology makes you more aware of these emotions so that you will save more and spend less. Health. Learning about psychology gives you insights that empower you to have a healthier lifestyle. For example, if you tend to eat too much, psychology will help you understand the reasons for the overeating so you can address them. Understanding and empathy for others. Psychology builds your emotional intelligence. That means you understand your own emotions and those of others, an ability that some believe more predictive of success than traditional intelligence. Relationships. Psychology can help you avoid suffering from one failed relationship after another. It’s much easier to live with another person if you understand their behavior. It also helps you tell whether or not a potential friend or partner is compatible, eliminating heartbreak later. Communication. The ability to communicate involves not just speaking, but listening. It also means reading non-verbal cues. Understanding nonverbal communication helps you get your own message across more clearly because it keeps you and the other party on â€Å"the same page.† Leadership. You may not be the CEO of a company, but leadership is still a skill that you’re going to need in life. Studying psychology teaches you the skills to empower others to be their best selves, whether it’s a youth sports team you’re coaching or a subgroup at the office that you’re chairing. Persuasion. Why is it that some advertisements are so effective? Because their creators understand psychology. It’s a valuable tool to persuade others to your point-of-view. And who doesn’t want that? Self-confidence. Psychology helps you to know yourself better and to work on your weaknesses. You can be confident in the knowledge that you have strengths and that you are always improving. And other people will notice that confidence and respond positively to it. As you can see, psychology doesn’t just live at the pages of lab reports and research studies! It’s in the world all around you. So dive right in and learn how it affects you. We promise you’ll be glad you did.