Abstract This paper relates that one often hears people say, "I am good with languages but useless at math" and vice versa as if the two were entirely opposite ways of thinking. The author points out that closer examination of humanlanguage and mathematics reveals a surprising number of similarities. The paper states that the most obvious similarity between the two is that both natural humanlanguages and mathematics have a formal syntax i.e. a set of rules that governs them.
From the Paper "Human languages and mathematics seem on the face of it to be very different things. One often hears people say "I am good with languages, but useless at math", and vice versa, as if the two were entirely opposite ways of thinking. However, closer examination reveals a surprising number of similarities. The most obvious similarity between the two is that both natural human languages and mathematics have a formal syntax, i.e. a set of rules that governs them. In the case of language, this is a set of rules that governs how the words may be put together. "
Abstract This paper reviews and discusses humanlanguage. According to the paper, humanlanguage as an ability is a very intricate competence that cannot be defined within a confined dynamic because it can modify into numerous structures and can be both recorded,signed and articulated. The paper reports that one of the most efficient and simplest ways to cover the dynamics of a language is by recognizing and defining its indispensable elements.
Outline:
Introduction
The Cognitive Approach
LRH: Summary
Thought Determines Language Studies of Development
The Interdependence of Language and Thought
Summary
From the Paper "Numerous subsequent studies, over the years, have backed this notion. The group of studies now being mentioned mainly studies the relation of the recognitions of concepts with the application of language. Tomasello and Farrar (1986) in their study focused on the understanding of the relational terms such as 'gone', 'down' and 'up' while analyzing the growth of the idea of an entity's solidity. They concluded that the changes that occurred while the object was visible were more quickly observed as opposed to when the object was not visible. Sinclair-de-Zwart (1969) in her study mainly concentrated on the child's ability to save or store info that if and when an object modifies its shape, it does not, in affect, modify its volume or mass. She observed that if the children understood the terminologies related to the change then they were able to store the info and not otherwise. She also observed that the children if did not understand the meaning of the words, teaching them the use of the words was inconsequent. Hence, all these studies support the understanding of thoughts and concepts for the effective use of language."
This paper discuses that mathematics and humanlanguage are very similar in structure and form because they can both be broken down into ever smaller functional units.
Abstract This paper explains that regressions are preformed all the time in mathematics, which involve the division of numbers into innate and precise formal units; however, this is not a common practice in humanlanguage other than by theorists of deconstruction techniques. The author points out that the deconstruction of language, both verbal and non-verbal, has been a practice of linguists, philosophers and critical theorists for many years. The paper relates that verbal and non-verbal human communication is comprised of both signs and symbols,which together form a recognized code, or what laymen commonly refer to as a language. The author underscores that there is a significant problem in reaching some consensus on what constitutes a verbal sign or symbol because of significant confusion regarding both meaning and intent.
From the Paper "The solution to developing a better understanding of the relationship between sign and symbol in order to make the case for a deep similarity between human language and mathematics is to develop a more pragmatic framework within which to develop a more complete paradigm of the communicative process of verbal and non-verbal communication. Devlin does this when he speaks of the grammar generated, deep structure strings in the text of the "Language in the Mind". Some theorists say this need is a distinction that must be better developed between components of a sign to define as the signified and the signifier."
Abstract This paper relates that both natural humanlanguage and the language of mathematics have a precise formal syntax. The author points out that they both offer meaning in the form of semantics and rely upon a body of commonly held assumptions. The paper concludes that both language and mathematics formalizes the informal in order to facilitate the communication and comprehension of meaning.
From the Paper "Upon considering the relationship between natural human language and mathematics, it becomes evident that a number of similarities exist, for both natural human language and the language of mathematics have a precise formal syntax, both offer meaning in the form of semantics, and both rely upon a body of commonly held assumptions. Each of them formalizes the informal in order to facilitate the communication and comprehension of meaning. Lewis Carroll offers examples of the relationship between natural human language and mathematics in his dialogue between the Tortoise and Achilles, for their conversation reveals how linguistic uses of logic are similar to mathematical equations."
Abstract In this article the writer notes that speech as a phenomenon is only characteristic of humans. The introduction of speech and language is an event that cannot be compared to anything in human history. The writer points out that speech and language opened the door for easy and clear communication, thus enabling the distribution of knowledge, feelings and experiences among individual humans. The writer discusses that language plays an important role not only on the broad level of human race as a whole, but also on the level of every individual in the human race. It is not a static phenomenon. The writer notes that language changes within societies we live in but also the individuals within the societies change the language as they move from one environment to another and as they gather new experiences and knowledge. The writer concludes that language is not only a medium of communication. It also has deep significance for the cultural and social identity of an individual.
From the Paper "The foundation of language and speech is of course in our physiological ability to express ourselves vocally. However, even though every one of us has this ability, we cannot start expressing ourselves verbally using spoken language from the moment we are born. We rather learn to speak, we learn to use the language in everyday life much like the humans did at some point in history. However, today we learn to speak with the help of our closest environment which is most often family. The first words or "vocal signs" we learn to use are often tied to the need for sharing our desires in the way most part of environment can understand and interpret. Simply by replacing mute, gesticulate "signs" of pointing, making faces or dancing, or "signs" of crying and grunting; with the "verbal sign" "angry" humans manage to establish contact with their broader environment."
Abstract Normally, natural humanlanguages and mathematics are regarded as being diametrically opposed to one another. Mathematics is formal and is marked by precision; the objects of theory must be carefully defined so that the informal can be formalized. Natural humanlanguage on the other hand is flexible, and one term can denote not just multiple meanings but opposing ones as well. This paper explains that, in spite of these differences, humanlanguage and mathematics actually share common ground such as the fact that both humanlanguage and the language of mathematics actually have a precise formal structure.
Abstract This paper explains that, although there is a larger amount of evidence supporting the notion that humanlanguage develops from natural and inborn processes, socialization and learning is important to the development of language. The paper first describes the basic components of language, which are classified as content morphemes and grammatical morphemes. The paper then presents research to support both arguments that language is innate and that the development of humanlanguage is closely linked to the development and transformation of human cognition.
From the Paper "From day one, we seem naturally equipped to develop and explore language. When a new infant is born, he/she is immediately able to distinguish his/her mother's voice. Young infants start to babble at a very young age as if they are trying to communicate with one's caregivers. Amazingly enough, deaf children initially start to babble as well, but eventually stop verbal communication because they do not hear any feedback. An interesting aspect of language development is an infant's ability to be sensitive to all languages when under the age of 6 months."
Abstract This paper explains that the three elements of language ? abstractness, grammar, and cultural ramifications ? are not unique to humanlanguage, but merely more advanced or merely more evident from our perspective than the language of animals. The author points out that chimps and parrots in laboratory settings seem capable of grasping abstract terms (such as "mad" or "bad" or "blue"), generating new combinations of words to express new ideas, and referring to distant events or objects. The paper relates that animals may be more driven by instinct than by learned behavior, yet they show a propensity, in many cases, to learn language.
From the Paper "Grammar is one of the strictest supposed differences between human and animal languages. Grammar involves the organization of discrete words into complex sentences that have specific required orders and syntaxes. Even human sign language tends to require certain specific syntaxes. While animals appear capable of understanding syntax, there is little evidence that they use it in communication (though it is difficult to prove a negative). According to one influential chimp research, Terrace, "No chimpanzee has learned sign language. They"ve certainly learned some gestures, but sign language is not just a system of gestures. It's a full, grammatical language with its own systematic grammar, like Latin.? The lack of grammar is evident in cases such as that of Koko, one of the stars of the talking-chimp movement."
Abstract This paper explains that, despite the ubiquity of human linguistic ability, pinning down exactly how language helps people and how people use it is not at all a straightforward task. The author points out that Swiss psychologist Jean Piaget and Russian psychologist Lev Vygotsky examined how children acquire language and the relationship of thinking and language learning. The paper relates that the comparisons of bilingual and monolingual children, as well as comparisons of bilingual children of varying levels of development, indicate that bilingualism can lead to superior performance on a variety of intellectual skills.
From the Paper "It is clear that normal children acquire a language that reflects their particular linguistic environment. A child brought up in Japan acquires a version of Japanese. The same child brought up in Brazil acquires a version of Portuguese. So, these languages must in some sense reflect some of the same underlying innate principles. Languages are basically the same in structure, up to certain parameters, for example, whether the head of a phrase goes at the beginning of a phrase or at the end. Children do not have to learn the basic principles; they only need to set the parameters."
Abstract This paper discusses language acquisition and the evolution of language, describing models that have been proposed for the evolutionary development of the humanlanguage faculty and for the processes involved, with some empirical support for the different models. The paper concludes that the issue remains unresolved as far as deciding on one specific model over all others.
From the Paper "Language acquisition has been much studied as to ways in which speakers learn language in the first place, then learn other languages if they do and add words to their store of knowledge as an ongoing process. Another issue has been the origins of language of any sort, extending back as far in the historical record as possible and then considering how human beings may have first started communicating using a language. Different models have been proposed for the evolutionary development of the human language faculty and for the processes involved, with some empirical support for the different models. The issue remains unresolved as far as deciding on one specific model over all others. One view of the origin of language is discussed by Hewes 1992 and the idea that the first human language was primarily gestural, following the way various primates communicate (1992:65)."
Abstract This paper explains that obvious similarities conclude that humanlanguage may be reducible to mathematical formulation. The author points out that that mathematics consists of sets of axioms in which statements can be either true or not. The paper relates, while this does not necessarily seem very much like language, Godel's Incompleteness Theorem relates that meaning can exist outside of axiomatic sets, providing a new basis for similarity.
From the Paper "It should not be surprising that mathematicians and linguists have drawn parallels between these two disciplines. There are obvious similarities that have made many believe that human language may be reducible to mathematical formulation. Some have even attempted to use the assumption to teach machines how to speak, constructing complex utterances based on a limited number of syntactical rules. However, these efforts and others to fully connect mathematics and language have proved largely unsuccessful. The following paper will briefly examine some of the similarities between language and mathematics. By its nature, language has a combinational structure, known as syntax or grammar, that permits the communication of complex ideas (Devlin "Born")."
Abstract The paper asserts that although language does show a sign of intelligence, the differences between animal and humanlanguage do not suffice for our views on intelligence. The paper challenges the way we attribute intelligence to the ability to speak and attempts to show how animal and humanlanguage are essentially very similar. The paper points out further that conditions such as strokes or retardation have the potential to effect language, but have no effect on test scores. The paper diasgrees with Descartes' belief that animals are machines and discusses John Searle's experiment known as "The Chinese Room". The paper concludes that our beliefs on language and its relevance to intelligence have many flaws and questions.
From the Paper "The complexity of our language and the basic acquisition of our ability to communicate is without a doubt a sign of intelligence. It is only with a human mind that we can understand the uniqueness of our grammar and the rules that govern the way we communicate with one another. Throughout research of our language and why it is that we began to speak in the first place, social hierarchy that places humans on the top has been constructed with all other species at the bottom. It is clear through our capabilities, whether they are evolved or innate, that there is a distinction between animal and human language. Since it is often thought that language itself is what defines us as humans (Pinker), it is our basis for the claim that we are most intelligent. However, are our abilities to speak and the structure of conventional rules enough to make this claim?"
Abstract This paper discusses the acquisition of language, opportunities and limitations of language and the consequences of language for individuals and society. The paper discusses the way in which language sets human being apart from other species. However, it also presents the argument that the language skills shown by chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) and bonobos (Pan paniscus) show that humans are not unique in this regard.
From the Paper "Acquisition of Language, Opportunities and Limitations of Language, and the Consequences of Language for Individuals and Society One of the extraordinary things about human beings is our ability to communicate via language, whether spoken or written. In fact, it is argued that this is the one thing that sets us apart from all other species. Some have argued that the "language skills" shown by chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) and bonobos (Pan paniscus) show that humans are not unique in this regard. (Rumbaugh and Velichkovsky) However, it is here argued that - notwithstanding the fact that chimps can learn to sign for bananas - the only species that has real language in a meaningful sense is the human species."
Abstract This essay will explore how human beings acquire this language structure, the opportunities and limitations of this acquisition, and some of the consequences of language for the individual and society. In the context of the above assertions, language can be understood to play a double role; it both fashions humanity in its structure and simultaneously allows humanity freedom to redefine itself and the world around it
A discussion of the sign and symbol-based language experiments conducted with great apes over the last forty years, including criticisms, findings, and implications. Addresses projects with gorillas, chimpanzees, orangutans, and bonobos.
6,395 words (approx. 25.6 pages), 15 sources, 2002, $ 148.95
Abstract This paper addresses a number of different language experiments that have been performed with all four species of great apes - gorillas, chimpanzees, orangutans, and bonobos, and the advantages, disadvantages, and relative success of each, including conducted experiments. The author discusses the physical limitations of the apes, the advantages of using sign language as opposed to keyboard and symbol-based language, and criticisms brought up by various skeptics. The paper also mentions other types of cognitive activities in which the apes have participated, including painting and learning a system of economic exchange.
From the paper:
"The Koko Project is currently the longest running and most successful of all the ape language projects. Patterson's goal was for Koko [the gorilla] to learn 200 signs ? she now knows over a thousand, and understands at least 2,000 words of spoken English. She asks questions, she lies, she tells stories, she uses the negative, she uses and understands abstract words like love, hate, and death, and she even tells jokes. One of the most famous incidents involves a conversation between Koko and one of her teachers regarding the color of her blanket. As she was getting ready to go to bed, the teacher asked Koko what color the blanket was. Koko responded "red," even though the blanket was white. The teacher admonished her and asked her again, refusing to believe that Koko would make such a simple mistake. Still, Koko responded "red," and repeated it several times. The teacher was perplexed. Then Koko pulled a tiny piece of red lint off the blanket, pointed to it, and signed "red," and started laughing her deep, breathy, gorilla laugh. Humor, then, is another quality we humans can no longer claim for ourselves alone."
