Module One

Course Outcome 1:

Discuss the basic characteristics of language and its various components, the varieties of language, including dialects, registers, sociolects, bilingualism, diglossia etc.

1.1: Language: Evolution of language and communication;- The origin- Bow-wow theory, The Pooh-Pooh theory, The Ding-Dong Theory, the Gesture Theory, The Yo-he-ho theory

Bow-wow theory: 

This theory is associated with Johann Gottfried Herder (1744-1803), but the term "Bow-wow" was coined by Max Mueller (1823-1900). Max Mueller is not a proponent of this theory. He used the term "Bow-wow theory" to ridicule this theory. 

The bow-wow theory states that language originated when early humans began imitating naturally occurring sounds. The imitation of natural sounds is called onomatopoeia. 

Examples:

 Crow -- caw caw

Snake - hiss

Dog - bow wow, woof

Bee - buzz

Cat - meow 

    Rooster - cock-a-doodle-doo

• This theory is based on the following assumptions:

1. Humans are natural imitators.

2. Sound precedes meaning.

3. Nature as the earliest source of words.

4. In several languages across the world, certain words with the same meaning sound similar.

Criticism:

1. Only a few words are onomatopoeic: Abstract words like love, justice, democracy, philosophy, and words like mountain, tree, chair, table, pencil, etc., do not follow this theory. 

2. Though some words sound similar in several languages, the representations of the words are still different. Along with imitation, it also involves interpretation. 

3. Does not account for objects that make no sound. For example: sky, friendship, love, etc. 

4. The theory cannot explain the grammar of a language- tense, syntax, sentence structure, etc.

Pooh-pooh theory:

Human language originated from emotional expressions and instinctive cries. For example, joy, anger, surprise, grief, etc. The theory focused on internal feelings rather than external sounds. As this theory was based on interjections, it was also called the interjectional theory. 

Origin: This theory was first proposed by Democritus (around 400 BC). It was later revived in the 18th century by Jean Jacques Rousseau. 

• This theory was based on the ideas that emotional cries are universal and that interjections are common to all languages.

Pain -- Ouch! Disgust -- Ugh! Surprise -- Oh! Joy -- Ha! Fear -- Ah!

Criticism:

1. Only explained interjections. 

2. Does not explain how involuntary sounds become language. 

3. Tenses, syntax, and complex sentences cannot be explained using this theory.

4. Involuntary cries are also common to animals, but they don't form sentences.