The Nature and Structure of Language

Kaye U. Alejandrino

BSE 3-1 (English)

Chapter 1: Lesson 1

• Language uses SYMBOLS: Sounds,gestures, or written charactersthat represents objects, actions,events and ideas.

• A Language is meaningful andtherefore can be understoodby other users of thatLanguage.

• A Language is generative.

• A Language has rules that govern how symbols can be arranged.

• Phonemes- the smallest distinguishable units in a language.

t, p, and m

•Morphemes- the smallest meaningful units in a language.

•Bound

• Free

•Syntax – is a system of rules that governs how words can be meaningfully arranged to form phrases and sentences.

*creative and dynamic - In Filipino,

new words like “tapsilog”, “pogi”, prove that language is indeed creative and dynamic. Our emerging Filipino language accepts the influences from other languages and so is very dynamic and continually evolving.

•Structured- There are grammatical rules to follow.

Meaningful- It can be understood by other users of the language.

Referential- Evening Star, Morning Star

Interpersonal-Understood by the listeners.

• Develop communicative and academic competencies.

• Develop cognitive and Academic competencies.