Linguistics Insights from Dick Hudson's Dulwich College Presentation
Explore the fascinating world of linguistics through Dick Hudson's presentation at Dulwich College in November 2016. Unravel the mystery behind Japanese hiragana script, delve into the complexity of language systems, and discover how grammar shapes our communication. Join the linguistic journey now!
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Presentation Transcript
Linguistics for lively minds Dick Hudson Dulwich College November 2016
A puzzle: Japanese hiragana phonetic script Q1. Are meanings relevant? Q3. One character per ? Q5. Can we solve the puzzle now? How does it work? Q2. One character per letter/sound? Q4. Left-right or right-left? Check Wikipedia ...or work it out!
More data, and the puzzle deepens do tsu n Bad news! The two columns are ordered separately! can character = n? If character = syllable, how ka How many syllables in harden? What s the second How can we know how they correspond? vowel? Compare word-lengths! Maths or language? Is n special in other ways? longest longest
The challenge Not in basic data Not in basic data How can we know what these characters are? Work them out!
How does the system work? voiceless voiced
Welcome to linguistics! Finding out how languages work Look at the data! Looking for patterns and systems Not just random facts General categories applying to all languages E.g. voicing (voiced/voiceless) But every language is organised differently E.g. Ulwa
Ulwa (Nicaragua) From English UK Linguistics Olympiad Inclusive = including you
suffix 'infix' Zooming in on Ulwa Suffix or infix? Infix after an initial long syllable (CVV or CVC). Otherwise suffix. -kana = "their" -ni = "our (inc)" -ma = "your (sing)" -mana = "your (plur)"
Languages organise the world Grammar forces us to make decisions when talking. Present or past? (forces/forced) Singular or plural? (decision/decisions) Human or non-human? (who/what) But grammar changes E.g. Modern English doesn t make a distinction that Old English did make.
What have we lost since Old English? But we still have duals Singular dual plural 10
Manam Island, Papua New Guinea auta = North ilau = South uklo.org ata = West awa = East The sentences below tell us where Onkau, Kulu, Mombwa, Tola, Sulung, Sala, Pita and Butokang live. Can you work out who lives where? Tola 1. 4. 3. 2. Sulung DEAD END! Sala 5. THINK AGAIN!
Where's North in Manam? Is the sun always in the North? Until recently, there were no maps no compasses Equator Where s North in Dulwich?
What are they like in Manam? They're like us. They enjoy a day at the seaside. And they don't know where North is.
What's where in Manam Island? New idea: When relating two places, imagine standing between them facing uphill! uklo.org The sentences below tell us where Onkau, Kulu, Mombwa, Tola, Sulung, Sala, Pita and Butokang live. Can you work out who lives where? Pita Success!! 8. 6. Butokang Sulung 4. Tola 7. 1. 4. 3. Sulung 2. auta = up ilau = down ata = left awa = right Sala 5.
So what? Languages are structured Not just a random collection of bits. Linguistics investigates this structure It s a science, with methods and theories. The structure is really interesting because it varies enormously between languages it can change it s very complex it affects how we view the world it s part of our minds.
Thank you. This show is downloadable: dickhudson.com/talks For more information about UKLO (the Linguistics Olympiad): www.uklo.org
