Language Universals

Definition

Language universals are features or characteristics that are common to all human languages, reflecting the underlying principles of human cognition and communication. These universals can help in understanding how language is structured and learned, influencing factors such as second language acquisition and the nature of linguistic study itself.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Language universals can be categorized into absolute universals, which apply to all languages, and statistical universals, which are common but may have exceptions.
2. They play a crucial role in theories of language development and acquisition by highlighting innate cognitive structures that facilitate learning.
3. Common examples include the presence of nouns and verbs in every known language, which underscores fundamental aspects of human communication.
4. Understanding language universals can aid in teaching second languages by providing insights into common structures that learners may recognize across languages.
5. They support the idea that despite the diversity of languages, there are shared cognitive and communicative principles underlying all human speech.

Review Questions

• How do language universals contribute to our understanding of second language learning?
  • Language universals help identify common features among different languages, which can simplify the process of learning a second language. By recognizing these shared elements, learners may find it easier to grasp new grammatical structures or vocabulary based on similarities to their first language. For example, knowing that all languages have verbs allows learners to focus on how those verbs function differently rather than starting from scratch.
• Discuss the significance of absolute and statistical universals in the study of linguistics.
  • Absolute universals indicate features that are found in every language without exception, while statistical universals refer to traits that occur in most languages but allow for exceptions. The distinction between these two types is significant because it helps linguists understand not only what is common among languages but also how variations arise. This understanding aids in the analysis of language structure and contributes to developing theories about human cognition and communication.
• Evaluate how the concept of language universals impacts theories about the innate capabilities of humans regarding language acquisition.
  • The concept of language universals supports theories suggesting that humans possess innate cognitive abilities for language acquisition. By highlighting commonalities across diverse languages, researchers argue that these universal features indicate an underlying biological basis for language learning. This perspective challenges purely environmental explanations for language development, positing instead that humans are predisposed to acquire language due to shared mental frameworks inherent in our species.

Related terms

Syntax: The set of rules, principles, and processes that govern the structure of sentences in a given language, including word order and phrase formation.

Morphology: The study of the structure and formation of words in a language, focusing on morphemes, the smallest units of meaning.

Phonetics: The branch of linguistics that deals with the sounds of human speech, including their production, transmission, and perception.