Language and Culture

Then came the word. [Lords] Tepeu and Gucumatz came together in the darkness and talked together. They talked there discussing and deliberating; they agreed; they united their words and thoughts. They created all the creatures. (Quiche Mayan creation myth from the Popul Vuh)

1. General Characteristics of Human Language

2. Structural Linguistics/Descriptive

A. Phonology - the sounds of language
1. Phonetics
2. Phonemics

B. Grammar - formal rules of forming and combing words.

1. Morphology - word form
2. Syntax - word order
3. The Sapir-Whorf hypothesis: grammar, thought, and culture:

A. Semantics
B. Sociolinguistics
C. Historical Linguistics