Langauge and its functions

Language is a tool for communication, it is set of symbols by which things,ideas, and thoughts
are communicated to others.

General features of language

Spoken language makes use of sound patterns
Sound patterns- is linguistically accepted sound whereby an idea, feeling or thought can
be verbalized
Written language makes use of visual patterns
Visual patterns- is linguistically acceptedway of writing a word or a term.
GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS OF LANGUAGE
Four Elements of Language
 Symbol is a word, name, or phrase that is used to signify something
 Referent is that which is symbolized or denoted.
 Reference is the meaning or signification between the symbol and the referent
 Subject refers to the individual who uses the symbol means this particular thing.
Three Sciences of Language
 Pragmatics is a linguistics science which deals with the origin, derivatoin and root word
of symbols or terms.
 Semantics is a linguistics science which treats of the formal realtions between symbols
and their meaning.
 Syntactics is a linguistics science which deals with the formal realtions between symbols
as specified in the rules of grammar.
Functions of Language
 Informative function: essentially, the communication of information.
 Expressive function: reports feelings or attitudes of the writer (or speaker), or of the
subject, or evokes feelings in the reader (or listener).
 Practical function is one in which language is used to produce some effects.
 Performative Function is one in which language is used not only to say or report
something but also perform what is being said.
 Ceremonial function is one in which language is used to enhance social intercourse,
relationships, or social amenities.
 Logical function is one in which language is used to reason, analyze, and clarify a
problem or an argument.
 Complex Function(multiple) is the combination or mixture of two or more functions
of language.
Division of Logic
 The term(ideas) internal[mind]
 The proposition(judgement) either true or false,external
 Reasoning (or inference) e.g deduction
 Induction(the scientific methods of inquiry)

The Impotance of Studying logic

 It develops in us a habit of clear and critical thinking
 It enables us to undergo an untellectual discipline that helps in gliding us in the process of
drawing conclusions
 It helps us to interpret facts and other people’s perception
  It trains us to determine assumptions and implications
 It helps us detect fallocious and illogical reasoning
 It stimulates scientific and reflective thinking.

Ideas – intellectual image of a thing, or the mental apprehension of a thing.

Terms – is the verbal expression of an idea
Sign- is anything that leads to the knowledge of something else distinct from itself.

Connotation and Denotation

Connotation- is the meant the essential qualities constitutes an idea.
Denotation – is meant the things or individuals denoted by a term, that is, the totality of referents to
which a term can be applied.

Kinds of terms
quantity
 Singular terms is one which stands for single individual object
(ex. Mr. O’Conner, Ralph, this chair)
 Particualr term is one in which stands for an indefinite number of individuals of a class.
(ex. Some chinese, some seminarians, some priests)
 Universal term stands not only for a class as a whole but also for each member of that class.
(ex. Man, animal, dog)
 Collective refers to a group or collection of objects or individuals regarded as a unit.
(ex. Family, army, herd, flock)
Incompatibility
 Contradictory terms are those wherein one affirms what the other denies. No middle ground.
(ex. Life-lifeless)
 Contrary terms are those which represent the two extremes among object of a series belonging
to the same class. There is always a middle ground.
(ex.happy-miserable[emotion])
 Private terms are those wherein signifies a perfection and the other denies perfection in a
subject which naturally ought to posses it.
(ex. Health-sickness)
 Relative terms are those wherein one cannot be understood without the other.
(ex. Husband-wife)
Definiteness of meaning
 Univocal Terms When a term is being applied to their inferiors in the same exact essence, such
term is univocal.
 Equivocal Terms When instances are under the same term but of entirely different meaning, the
term is equivocal. The term is referred by instances of different meanings.
 Analogous Terms become analogous when their inferiors are partly the same but also partly
different in their use or essence. The emphasis on the analogy of inferiors, in this case called
analogues, depends on the degree of their relation with each other and to the general term.
Nature of the referents
 Concrete term is one which referent is tangible or can be perceived by the senses
 Abstract terms is one whose referent cannot be perceived by the senses or intangible
 Null or empty terms is one which has no actual referents but only imaginary ones
Definition – is a statement that gives the meaning of a term or a statement which explains what
a term means.

Two elements of definition

 Definiendum – is the term to be defined.
 Definiens – is the phrase that defines the definiendum.

Types of definition
 Nominal definition merely explains the term by giving etymologies or by merely giving
synonyms or words that are better known.
 Connotative definition is one which gives the essential characteristics (very nature)
possesed in common by individuals (referents) denoted by a term.
o Genus is meant the property of a thing which it has in common with other things
that belong to the same class.
o Specific difference means the essential property of a thing which distinguishes
from other things belonging to the same class.
 Denotative definition makes the meaning of a term clear by the application of its term to
its referents. Definition by example, a denotative definition is enumerative if it
enumerates the referents of a term to be defined.
 Descriptive definition gives the meaning odf a term by enumerating the characteristics,
whether essential or accidental, of the referent of that term. There are several ways of
describing the referent of a term:
o By giving the property of the referent.
o By giving the maker (efficient cause) or the purpose (final cause) of the referent.

Rules for a Good Connotative (real) Definition

1. The definiendum must not be contained inside the definiens. Otherwise you will commit
the mistake of circular definition.
2. The definiens must be equivalent to definiendum. It should not be too broad nor too
narrow, just fine.
3. A good connotative definition should be stated on univocal and simple terms. It must not
be expressed figuratively.
4. A good connotative definition must give the essential attributes (genus and specific
difference) of the individuals (referents) denoted by the definiendum.
5. The definiens should not be negetive as much as possible. Otherwise you will commit
the fallacy of negative definition.

Judgement, Sentence and Proposition

Judgement- is the mental enunciation or pronouncement regarding the agreement or

disagreement between two ideas.

Proposition- is the verbal expression of a judgment. It is statement in which something is either

affirned or denied.

Affirmative Preposition- is one in which one term is affirmed of another. In a negative

proposition, the predicate term is denied or negated of the subject term.

Sentence- A preposition expresses an affirmation or denial about something.

  Univocal Terms

When a term is being applied to their inferiors in the same exact essence, such term is
univocal. For instance,

         a drum and a piano are both occurrences or inferiors of the term instrument,
making it univocal or having only one meaning, which is an object that produces
music.
          The term Filipino is univocal in relation to the Surigaonon, Kagay-anon,
Manileño, Cebuano, Ilocano, and any other social division of people within the
Philippines.

         Boeing 777 and the stealth bomber B-2 Spirit are instances of the univocal
plane, an engine-driven flying vehicle.

b.    Equivocal Terms

When instances are under the same term but of entirely different meaning, the term is
equivocal. The term is referred by instances of different meanings. For example,

         the term rat applies not only to a long-tailed rodent that is larger than a
mouse but also to a person who is deceitful and betrays confidences.

         A faggot becomes equivocal when applied to the bundle of sticks for firewood
and the slang for a gay man. Similarly, the term gay has over the years evolved
to adapt a new meaning, that of being homosexual, entirely different from gay as
in being merry.

         Equivocally, a fan can signify the tool for moving air and an enthusiastic
admirer of a celebrity or public performer.

c.    Analogous Terms

Terms become analogous when their inferiors are partly the same but also partly different in
their use or essence. The emphasis on the analogy of inferiors, in this case called
analogues, depends on the degree of their relation with each other and to the general term.

         Magic is analogous to the sleight of hand or conjuring tricks and illusion and
to the fictional magic such as a fireball invoked by a wizard and the dead raised
by necromancers. While both are in a way fantasized and admired, the former is
done with dexterity and speed to trick the minds of the audience and the latter is
supernatural and impossible to perform.
         The term Filipino can become analogous if it is not just applied to the races
but also to the country’s language (Tagalog, Bisaya, etc), and culture (food
delicacies, dances, lifestyle, etc). These inferiors in themselves are distinct but all
point to identity of the Philippines.

         The head as in the chief executive officer and the head in a person are both
the topmost part of a company and the human body, respectively. They are in
some way similar and vital but have no direct resemblance to each other.