History: English Language Perspective (Part-1)

According to Aristotle’s “Symbols, rooted in convention, sound, and context, serve as a tool for accomplishing particular objectives and have a strong connection to our thoughts and reality.”

Language facilitates thinking and communication, enabling expressions and the exchange of complex ideas through words, natural symbols, and concepts. Language possesses an inherent naturalness acquired through multisensory means, including auditory and visual channels. Individuals from diverse linguistic and natural backgrounds can attain language proficiency.

Each linguistic mode possesses a distinct purpose in facilitating human communication. Learning a language is not an automatic process. It’s behaviour not a type of behaviour like crawling or walking—that comes to a child in a natural way. It’s not possible without endeavour. When a child or man transitions to a different community group, they will gain proficiency in the language of that community.

Although written and signed languages offer a way to encode and inscribe human language and enable its representation in a physical space, human language remains modality-independent.

Drawing from the insights of Yo-he-ho (coordinated management of meaning), W. Barrett Pearce and Vernon Cronen introduced this theoretical work in the 1970s. This concept emphasizes the ways in which individuals synchronize their actions and construct meaning within community dynamics. Vocalization is a result of physical exertion. People used both non-verbal grunts and verbal curses when lifting and carrying large pieces of trees. Grunts and curses were primarily used in social interactions.

Cognitive Development

Russian psychologist Lev Vygotsky formulated the role of social interaction in learning. He developed his theories in the 1920s and 1930s. According to this theory, social interaction creates a distinction between cognitive development and Children do not learn automatically. Mental factors like attention, sensation, perception, and memory have a substantial influence. When a child interacts with the environment and any other peer groups, MKO (more knowledgeable than others) occurs. Everyone has unique and different information, and they all share their own perspective. In that sense, it plays a significant role in learning. ZPD (Zone of Proximal Development) it creates a distinction between what a child can achieve autonomously and with self-knowledge, and what a child can achieve with guidance and from a skilled person. It creates a distinction between what is known and what is unknown. A third person who taught a child about the unknown, which was actually called the Zone of Proximal Learning through ZDP, helped a lot.

Vygotsky and Language

According to the Piaget view, language develops automatically, whereas Vygotsky thought language develops through social interaction. In cognitive development, society matters a lot. Inner speech increases intellectual speech. In 1962, he said linguistics is a medium through which adults share knowledge with children. He or she may be from another culture or community and speak a different language. MKO also applies here and plays an important role. A person who possesses powerful language abilities demonstrates strong intellectual adaptability and ability. Collaborative learning (working together in small groups) also enhances linguistic ability. This theory is more explanatory than Piaget due to dynamic assessment and other factors like recognition of language’s role, shaping cognitive development in culture, and contextual learning.

Origin of Language

The first thought that strikes us is: How did language come into existence, and from which area did it originate? In many religions, people believe that language comes from divine sources and interventions. God is believed to have blessed Hazrat Adam’s language. The book of Genesis depicts that “whatever Adam called every living creature that was the name thereof.” Psammetichus, the Egyptian Pharaoh, King James IV of Scotland, and Mughal Emperor Akbar all conducted their own research to understand the nature and origin of language. Theories such as “Bow-Wow” by Johann Gottfried Herder in his book “Treatise on the Origin of Language” and “Pooh-Pooh Theory” by Max Muller in his book “Lectures on the Science of Knowledge” are helpful in understanding the origin of language.

Physical Adaptation Source

In 2nd century Mexico, there are depictions of a person emitting a phonic glyph from his mouth, symbolizing speech. Physical adaptation source: Our physical features, such as the transition to an upright posture, may have supported speech production in early humans, allowing for longer articulation on outgoing breaths. Due to upright articulation, we can breathe well. Our upright posture, by the grace of Allah, allows us to produce speech easily. It’s surprising how our physical structure and speech articulation help us produce sounds. Unlike other creatures, we speak more easily. Our capacity for speech is much greater due to our physical features greatly increase our ability to speak. Our vocal tract plays a crucial role in shaping and resonating sounds.

Larynx, And Pharynx

Articulation, intonation, pitch control, and articulation. Teeth and lips, mouth and tongue, larynx, and pharynx all play a critical role in forming words and sounds. Another idea is that speech production has a close relationship to tool making (the use of hands). All these factors contribute to the production of language through speech.

Literature Is an Art

Literature is a fine art, it encompasses creative imitation, de-familiarization of familiar objects and thematic functions. It also provides new experiences, aesthetic functions, amusement and relief.

Literary Eras / Historical Periods in Literature

This article (English Language Perspective) will be beneficial for readers and educators.

Asma Noreen

Educationist

Dr. Abid Hussain Nawaz

Ph.D.