Characteristics of Language

The characteristics of language are sometimes called features. There are seven features of language, the
memorization of which is of paramount importance.
1. Language is human
2. Language is verbal (it employs words)
3. Language is symbolic
4. Language is systematic (makes use of rules)
5. Language is maturational (it develops with time)
6. Language is non-instinctive (it is learned in the early stages of socialization)
7. Language is dynamic
Differences between Language and A Language
Language is used to refer to what is spoken by a group of people
A language is a particular way of speaking associated with a particular group of people. A language
specific to a group of people carries with it the culture of the people, their history, culture and
experience particular to that specific group.
Purposes of Language
To persuade
To question
To direct
To entertain
To inform

Language Concepts
All languages are dialects. Dialects emerge and are influenced by social and historical factors.
Dialects emerge when diverse groups of people interact. A pidgin is a nascent language formed from the
need to communicate.
A creole is a language that is much more accepted than a pidgin, but it is not completely accepted. It is
not the language of instruction, formal interaction or communication outside of ones cultural group. A
creole is a language, since it has its own rules.
A standard is the one which is universally accepted as the language of education, government, etc. It is
the dominant language in society.
Basilect: The form of dialect or language usually associated with the working-class, rural, less-educated
speakers.
Mesolect: Not as an extreme dialect as basilect. It is spoken by most middle-class people.
Acrolect: The form of language associated with the upper classes.

A register refers to the range of language choices in various situations.

Characteristics of Creole Language
There is an absence of the auxiliary verb.
The objective pronoun is used as opposed to the subjective (eg me sick as opposed to I am sick)
Functional shift: This is when the
Double Marking (Reduplication) repetition of adjectives used in lieu of comparative and
superlative adjectival forms.

Factors Affecting Language
Class: (Eg Working, Middle, Upper) Each class has its own norms and values associated with it. It
also has its own customs, behaviours and language patterns. Politicians will speak in dialect in
order to gain votes. (Eg Patois/Patwa is spoken in Dominica). Register is also associated with
class.
Economy: If one cannot afford an education, one may not be socially mobile and forced to speak
basilect.
Geography: Rural versus Urban.
Education: The level of education is related to an individuals ability to manipulate Standard
English (level of literacy). It is also related to the availability of material resources and the
efficiency of the instructor.
History: (Sovereignty) Whichever European country colonized a part of the Caribbean, their
language was the one spoken in that part.

The impact of slavery, plantation society and colonialism
The colonialist governments insisted that only their languages and cultures were acceptable.
The colonial laws were made such that the Africans were kept at the bottom of the society. The
pattern of dispersion of various African tribes is also of import. Eg Asante tribes went to Jamaica.
Ibo went to Barbados. Yoruba people went to Trinidad.

Social, Political, Ethical and Psychological roles of Language
The use of language to discriminate, alienate, ridicule, make threats and mark social biases.
Language is also used to assert authority or to greet.
Language is used to mark identity
Language is used to promote social linkages and cultural awareness

As a language evolves, acceptance of that language increases because the attitude of people towards
that language changes.
International Communication
Rising above ethnocentrism: Ethnocentrism is the belief that ones own culture and customs are
superior to all others.
Avoiding prejudice and stereotyping.
Technology, Culture and Communication
Mass media and globalization have increased both the quantity of information that can be disseminated
and the ease and speed with which it can be disseminated. Electronic: Satellite, radio, television, cellular
phone, teleconferencing (via software applications), internet, search engines.
Globalization is the development of an increasingly integrated global economy, marked especially by
free trade, free flow of capital and the tapping of foreign labour markets. It also has to do with the
diffusion of ideas, cultures, values, standards of living. The world is trending towards a universal
standard.
Language: hack, icon, protocol, bus, utility, router, pixel, plasma, input, output
Technology, Culture and Communication
Language is introducing new words into our vocabulary.
Use of Media for Enhancing and Facilitating Communication

Language in the Caribbean
There is pervasive influence of American and Western culture on Caribbean dress, customs, norms and
values.
A positive influence is that it expands the acceptance of Caribbean cultures. (Hush, Caribbean film
festivals, music festivals, Edutech).