Running head: Bechara- Power of Bable Questions

Samantha Bechara

UC San Diego Extension CLAD through CTEL

Language and Language Development

Power of Bable Questions

Bechara-Week2 Power of Bable Questions 1

Question 1: Author John McWhorter argues that language is a fundamentally mutative
phenomenon. How does language change? Use the five faces of language change to support
your answer. (Ch. 1, reference p. 18- 35 for criteria discussion)

Language is continuously changing. McWhorter (2003), argues that language changes in

five ways 1) sound change; 2) extension of grammar; 3) expressive cycle; 4) rebracketing; and 5)

semantic changes. As language change is a culturally determined phenomenon only to a

marginal extent. Culture appears central to the process within our life spans, because new words

and expressions specifically index to cultural changes appear and disappear by the month

(p.48). When the culture changes, language changes along side it. Words have culturally

embedded meanings and reflect the changes within society. The sound change that occurs within

language was defined by McWhorter (2003), as the erosion and variation of words over time. As

words morph over time, words are produced with less distinct sounds. The extension of words

and grammar as defined by McWhorter (2003) modifies case endings of words, changing them.

As explained the change in plural endings of words have changed over time. Expressive cycles

are defined as multiple meaning words, which reflect how the meaning of words change and

display double expressions as defined by McWhorter (2003). Rebracketing reflects how

language changes, nicknames develop and words combine with sound to change and create new

words previously from two words. Semantic changes in words as defined by McWhorter (2003)

reflect the sound and meaning changes of words.

Bechara-Week2 Power of Bable Questions 2

Question 2: The theme Todays Dialect is Tomorrows Language runs through the text
(p. 92). McWhorter argues this as a kind of mantra for the linguistic discussion: Dialects
is all there is. Using McWhorters analysis of the eight languages of the Chinese versus
eight Chinese dialects, support your understanding of this theme in Chapter 2.

McWhorter (2003) argues that todays dialect is tomorrows language as many languages

run into one another. Languages are comprised of many dialects, which are vastly different

creating separate expressive languages although the grammar and writing systems are the same.

As expressed by McWhorter (2003) the eight languages of the Chinese are comprised of dozens

of dialects due to the evolution of language. The vast differences in each of the eight main

languages dialects are under analysis as separate languages (p.73). Each dialect displays slight

differences such as tone changes however make them vastly different. McWhorter (2003) states

the reason such different variants can even begin to be considered the same language is

because the Chinese writing system used not letters to represent sounds by symbols to

represent whole words. Because Chinese varieties did all evolve from the same original

source, their grammar remains similar enough that they often line up word for word

(p.73).

The many dialects of language may sound different however, the shared common writing system

allow all members of the communication system to share equal understanding. As language is

made up of the pragmatics, semantics, syntax, morphology, and phonology the slight differences

are what make it stand out as vastly different. The variations in phonology, or the way the

language sounds are influenced by the geographical changes that occur in the language. As

language is continuously changing the semantics of the language are also influenced by the area

and the manner in which language is used.

Bechara-Week2 Power of Bable Questions 3

Question 3:The author describes how language proceeds in myriad directions. Dialects
form by migration, communication, and education. How would you relate the examples of
the family tree or making stew from the text in discussing how language change and mixing
is inherent according to the author (p. 93-94).Chapter

Dialects are formed by migration, communication and education, which is reflected,

based on personal experiences of society. As stated by McWhorter (2003), languages mix with

one another just as ingredients used in a stew blend together forming a new blended flavor.

When families expand languages from each individual mix and new dialects form based on the

words used, grammatical features used, and intertwined languages. As stated

by McWhorter (2003)

languages have been constantly adopting words, sounds, and sentence structures from

neighboring dialects of other languages, spoken by people encountered through

migration, people who migration into the region themselves, or especially lately, people

imposing their dialects of a language through communication technology and education

channels (p.94).

It is the continuous social interaction of others as well as new families forming that influence

dialect, communication, and education. For example my husbands family speaks Arabic,

however there are strong differences between the Arabic spoken by my mother-in-law, father-in-

law, and my husband. My mother-in-laws Arabic is more French influenced based on the

location, which she grew up and has a specific dialect, which often is identified by other Arabic

speakers. My father-in-laws Arabic is distinctively different which can be attributed to his

mixture of Syrian and Lebanese upbringing. My husband and his siblings however, produce a

mixed expressive language output, which often leads others to question their background due to

the specific pronunciation of words as well as their approach to greetings. It is this myriad

which McWhorter (2003) refers to in his book.

Bechara-Week2 Power of Bable Questions 4

Question 4: What would be the benefit for having the Latin language as a foundation for
learning English? (p. 98). Author McWhorter posits that Latin teaches vocabulary and
base words, grammar, and how to have an economy of words in speaking. Do you agree
with this point of view? Does learning any second language facilitate learning
English? Support your opinion with Ch. 3 concepts.

The benefit for having the Latin language, as a foundation for learning English is you are

able to dissect the meaning of words based on the roots words, which make up the term. By

understanding Latin, you can understand vocabulary, base words, and the grammar of how words

are use in language. In addition, understanding Latin allows the noun function to be identified in

a word as stated by McWhorter (2003). As English is rooted in Latin and French and our

vocabulary originated in foreign languages, therefore this allows an English speaker to acquire

vocabulary by learning the basics first. English speakers knowledge of English allows us to pick

up other languages that have descended from Latin such as the romance languages of French,

Spanish, and Italian. The variation in romance languages in addition lends itself to picking apart

and learning other romance languages that are similar to have a general conversation due to the

deeply rooted connection between the cultures. However, English speakers as well as speakers of

romance languages may have a harder time learning languages other than romance such as

Arabic, Russian, Chinese, or Japanese due to the difference in how words are rooted and

structured.

Question 5. Give examples of usage of English vocabulary words in other languages.

Discuss the relationship of English words that are being incorporated into other languages.

English vocabulary words are incorporated into other languages to convey the meaning of

a concept. As stated by McWhorter (2003), the borrowing of words in particularly constants

between languages in contact, being not just common but inevitable (p.116). As explained

examples of well known words such as sex-appeal and slip have been borrowed from English
Bechara-Week2 Power of Bable Questions 5

and are now also German used words. The adoption of well known words from one language to

the other are due to continued usage of the English word by other language users as no such

word exists in the language. However, English words for which a different term exists in the

primary language such as downsize and abbauen in German should not replace the German

equivalent as suggested by McWhorter (2003).

Question 6: Discuss the development of a new dialect of Spanish in America--Spanglish (p.

119-120) as it relates to Question 5. You may prefer to give another symbiotic language
example like Konglish or Denglisch (p. 117) to support your answer in discussing hybrid
linguistic development, where English language has bled into other languages. Answers
may vary. (Ch. 3)

The development of a new dialect of Spanish in America often referred to as Spanglish is

developed and used when two languages are mixed to refer to terms. The dialect is, after all, an

inevitable result of Spanish being spoken with English over generations time in this country

(McWhorter, 2003, p. 119). As stated by McWhorter (2003), Spanglish is used when foreign

language users utilize vocabulary-using words more similar to English than the preferred Spanish

word. For example, someone may say brecas for breaks instead of the original Spanish frenos

(McWhorter, 2003, p. 119).

Question 7: How do Pidgin English and tone relate to the development of language? Is
there a difference when people use the language without having the need to acquire it?
Explain. (Chapters 4 and 5, p. 206)

Pidgin English is used primarily by individuals learning bits of each others languages

stirring them together primarily for trade. As stated by McWhorter (2003), social history has

thrust pidgins into a more influential role in the eternal developments of the thousands of

descendants of the first language (McWhorter, 2003, pp. 138-139). The social role of language
Bechara-Week2 Power of Bable Questions 6

for trade has had an effect on native and small village cultures, as they only need to use English

for trade or brief interactions and thus only acquired parts of it. McWhorter (2003) suggests:

this hands-on approach to language acquisition is reinforced by the fact that, in most

places in the world, there are no materials available for any but a few languages to be

taught formally through book sand instruction, such that one usually learns from other

languages live through imitation and practice, not through written drills of sentences

(McWhorter, 2003, p. 133)

Individuals utilizing a Pidgin English need it to communicate on a regular basis learn to express

basic thoughts but never learn to acquire it fully proficiently as suggested by McWhorter (2003)

not learning written forms of the language in addition to basic receptive and expressive

communication. In contrast, proficient users of a language may express various tonal differences

in their usage of the language such as dialect and regional variants although they can read and

write the language as well. In addition, due to the usage of language tones emerge in a language

as an accident of sound erosion rather than out of any communication imperative (McWhorter,

2003, p. 195). Individuals using language display various tones for communicating based

regional influences and expansion of language. As described by McWhorter (2003), tone variants

of language can be but ultimately accidental, permutation of a languages original material,

which can result only from a language that began without it (p.197).

Question 8: In Chapter 5, the author argues that world languages are densely overgrown
and contain utterly unnecessary decorations, and fluff. How would communication be
without evidentiary markers?
Bechara-Week2 Power of Bable Questions 7

McWhorter (2003) agrues that world languages are densely overgrown and contain

utterlly unnecessary decorationsa and fluff due changes in culture. Culture can create new

structures in a grammar it is no acident that societies traditionally as rigidly hierarchial

[languages].. have different words for eating and giving depending on the rank of whom one is

speaking (elder, teacher, intimate, etc.) and special endings corresponding to these status

consideration (McWhorter, 2003, p. 191). These changes in grammar although reflect how

language is utilized by society are not necessary just as gender specific terms in languages.

McWhorter (2003) describes how masculine, feminine, and neuter classes bed on folk

conceptions foerver lost in time in the English language, however are still embedded in other

languages (McWhorter, 2003, p. 187). These evidential markers, provide specific information

about the content the speaker is referring however do not express any real-world concepts

necessary for language as suggested by McWhorter (2003) as they are language add-ons.

Question 9 Intonation influences the meaning and register of a word. Could you give an
example of how precise Chinese syllable stress is key in communicating? (p. 194)

Intonation influences the meaning and register of a word. As stated by McWhorter (2003)

the same syllable can have a great many different meanings depending merely on what tone is

uttered (p. 194) in Chinese languages. The various syllable stresses are precise and key in

communicating as the six tones in Cantonese have a dazzling range of meanings, especially

taking into account that there are homonyms in this as in any language (McWhorter, 2003, p.

194). For example McWhorter (2003) described the term yau can mean a variety of things

such as worry, when displayed in a high and level tone; paint, when displayed in a high rising

tone; thin, when displayed in a middle level tone; oil or swim, when conveyed in a low falling
Bechara-Week2 Power of Bable Questions 8

tone; have or friend, when conveyed in a low rising tone and; again or right (hand), when

conveyed in a low level tone (p.194). As displayed the pitch (high/low) and intonation of the

term (level, rising, falling) all display a variety of meanings based on how the word is produced

in Chinese languages.
Bechara-Week2 Power of Bable Questions 9

Question 10: McWhorter argues in Ch. 5 that tone is not a necessary feature of the human
language. It is a cognitively parsable, but ultimately accidental, permutation of a
languages original material, which can result only from a language, which began without
it. (p. 197) Why is this linguistic argument important? Explain.

As stated by McWhorter (2003) tone is not a necessary feature of human language, it is

a cognitively parasable, but ultimately accidental, permutation of languages original material,

which can result only from a language that began without it (p.197). Tones have been added to

social usage of language throughout the evolution of language. The tone of a word has been

added to provide the distinction between words instead of relying on the final consonant of

words. The final consonant (does) the job of distinguishing words as stated by McWhorter

(2003, p. 197). The final consonants of words provide distinct differences in the words utilized

during social language. For example, pop, pot, and pod all have different meanings as described

by McWhorter (2003) and are distinguished from one another by the final consonant of the terms

as initially intended. Throughout the evolution of time, a language such as Vietnamese utilizes

tone to distinguish meaning of words. The addition of tone as semantic necessity is a result of the

evolution of the language over time.

Bechara-Week2 Power of Bable Questions 10

Question 11: Discuss the authors point of view on Sign Language (p. 214).

Sign language is identified as a language as it has its own grammar or rules,

which govern the usage of the sign language system. The biggest difference between sign

languages and spoken languages can be noted in the phonology of language. Although the

definition of phonology for English refers to the smallest meaning of sounds in a system, ASL

linguists define phonology as the study of how signs are structured and organized (Valli,

Lucas, Mulrooney, & Villanueva, 2011, p. 21). Although phonemes are not clearly found in ASL

comparable to that of English phonemes segments such as /a/, ASL contains segments which are

the specific parts of a sign. The segments of a sign in ASL can be combined to make a sign or

words containing meaning just as phonemes combined in English make words, which contain

meaning. ASL segments are described by the parameters of ASL, which describe how signs are

produced.

McWhorter (2003) described his experiences at a Nicaraguan Deaf School, sharing his

experience how the language was used as well as his ability to observe the various grammatical

structures of the sign language system. In addition, he described his experience obtaining a sign

name from the Deaf community where he visited, a major feature of a Sign Language system.

Sign names are a way in deaf culture to quickly identify a persons name without spelling the

name out each time. My sign name was given to me as a toddler by my parents. My sign name is

an s handshape that goes straight down from my temple to the bottom of my chin in a straight

motion symbolizing my long hair. This is the name that I am often referred to when teaching

young deaf students whom use sign language as well as in the community/ my family. Sign

languages differ country to country and mirror the countrys home language with reference to

words. Just as spoken language users have an accent or regional dialect, sign language users also
Bechara-Week2 Power of Bable Questions 11

display regional variations or accents in sign language. The sign for birthday for example is

different here in California than it is in my home state of New York. Often this is one of the

many signs that can identify that I am from NY when communicating with another Deaf

individual.
Bechara-Week2 Power of Bable Questions 12

Question 12: Spoken language is an ever-changing system, the very nature of which is to be
always in a process of transformation into a new language. Can we justify the double
negative is grammatically acceptable in the English language today? Who is Falstaff?

Spoken language is an ever hanging system as in the past language have usualy gone

extict when one group conquers another or when a group opts for a language that is percieved as

afforing it greater access to resources it percieves as necessary for survival (McWhorter, 2003,

p. 255). Since the advent of written forms of language, languages have left their imprent on

society as fossiles. In addition the passing of language down from one generation to the next

results in a variety of society to be bilingual and or languages to reflect the evolution of society

as a whole. Languages mix as individuals shift from one language to another throughout time

(McWhorter, 2003, p. 267). Double negatives as stated by McWhorter (2003) are simply

rules that have been imposed on the language from without, rather than arising naturally within

them (p.226). This rule in Enlgish however does not apply to other languages nor our Latin

roots. Double negatives can be seen in English literature as early as Shakespears Falstaff

character using it as an empthatetic strategy to place emphasis of negativeity on a specific

thought. Standard English as it is used by society allow(s) double negation as an emphatetic

strategy, along the lines that Falstaff used it however feels strange in English written forms

compared to spoken forms (McWhorter, 2003, p. 228). McWhorter(2003) expands upon the

usage of double negatives compared to single negatives in the English sentences I have never

seen anything compared to the Spanish phrase Nunca he visto nadaor never have I seen

nothing (p.226-227).
Bechara-Week2 Power of Bable Questions 13

Reference:

McWhorter, J. (2003). The power of babel: A natural history of language. New York , NY:
Perrenial.
Valli, C., Lucas, C., Mulrooney, K. J., & Villanueva, M. (2011). Lingusitics of American Sign
Language An Introduction (fifth ed.). Washington, DC: Gallaudet University Press.