Re: Is language development evolutionary, or designed by the culture?

"Ken Shackleton" <ken.shackleton@xxxxxxx> wrote in
news:1118792354.592643.281900@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx:

>
>
> Bobby D. Bryant wrote:
>> On Tue, 14 Jun 2005, "Ken Shackleton" <ken.shackleton@xxxxxxx> wrote:
>>
>> > Comments please?
>>
>> Could you clarify the question? What do you mean by "language
>> development"?
>>
>> --
>> Bobby Bryant
>> Austin, Texas
>
> Hey....I've seen you on talk.origins.
>
> I was looking for an opinion on language development within a culture
> over many generations. I believe that it is molded by evolutionary
> forces, others argue that it is "designed" by the people within the
> culture.
>
> What is your take on this?
>
>

If they mean 'conscious design', I higly doubt it in all cases other than
with strictly artificial languages. I would agree that societal pressures,
adapting to new conditions, invasions, new ways of doing things, etc.,
etc., etc. drive language changes.

David Wright Sr.

--
The Heinlein Society is full of people who really believe, and really
understand what he is trying to accomplish philosophically. They are a
serious-minded group of individuals who are out to change the world for
the better. - Virginia Heinlein
.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Is language development evolutionary, or designed by the culture?
    ... What do you mean by "language ... 'design' that I know of is when subcultures deliberately adopt some ... Bobby Bryant ...
    (sci.lang)
  • Re: Is language development evolutionary, or designed by the culture?
    ... Bobby D. Bryant wrote: ... What do you mean by "language development"? ... Nenets, a Siberian language, has a lot of moods ...
    (sci.lang)
  • Re: monitor not vga compatible help
    ... Alias ... >> person who posted obviously does not have English as their first language ... >> How many languages are you proficient in, Bobby? ... >>> teach them the language skills that will allow them to succeed. ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.general)
  • Re: monitor not vga compatible help
    ... are in addition to my native tongue of English. ... > How many languages are you proficient in, Bobby? ... >> Language is one of the most important tools that the creator has given to ... >>> Perhaps the OP has the resolution set too high? ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.general)
  • Re: Origin on Celtic in the British Isles
    ... British Isles, apart from the obvious Saxon blob in the Midlands, did ... the British Isles come to adopt a new language in place of one that they ... Bobby Bryant ...
    (sci.lang)
Loading