Thread: What is language

This is a great little article about what makes a language and glimpses into how humans really learn how to communicate with each other.

http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2...urrentPage=all

Fuck me thats a long article!

Interesting, I didn't finish the article, since it looked like it was spending a long time talking about Everett.

That's pretty cool, their language has only eight consonants and three vowels.

OMG, the thing was massive I've just finished it. It's just a really neat and interesting perspective about what is language and how it is spoken, and how much culture effects a language.

Hmm, pretty cool.
My dad's a linguist and although I make fun of him for having a dead-end job, I can't deny that it's pretty interesting.

A bit long, but a good read. Seems like culture and language behave in the same way as the chick and it's egg, you don't really know what was first.
Actually it is quite interesting that it's possible to live only in the present without being restricted too much.
btw, nice sig cos.

that was a good (yet long) read
I always thought culture and social conditions were highly influential in the development of language for the children, so i'm surprised Chomsky’s theories don't agree with this and that most people lick his ass :P Go Everett !

enjoyed reading it. ima have my linguist mother read it

Too long to be read. Ironically I asked my English teacher if you could add another letter to the alphabet. Task is harder than it sound. You try. You have to come up with a sound as well as actual letter.

Aww, there are so many linguists!