The choice of an auxiliary language for the world. Perspectives within the context of contemporary linguistics

Thesis (M.A.) , 1984 , 100 Pages

English Language and Literature Studies - Linguistics

This work explores criteria for the selection of a Universal Auxiliary Language (UAL) through the lens of late-20th century Linguistics.

The text is based on several innovative premises. First, whereas academic linguists almost exclusively focus on natural languages and UAL proponents generally consider only artificial ones (along with a few modified natural languages), this work is based on the premise that a global auxiliary could be either natural or constructed in nature. Secondly, the work embraces the idea of comparing the linguistic features of potential UALs -- which also applies to the highly competitive field of UALs (“Interlinguistics”) but not to post-19th-century General Linguistics, where natural-language comparisons have been shunned on the grounds of the presumed equality of natural languages (and to avoid ethno-linguistic supremacism.)

In reviewing, then, what if anything Linguistics could contribute to UAL selection, the text covers: [a] a broad definition of UAL, [b] a typology of UAL contenders, [c] a review of social and political linguistic criteria for UAL selection, [d] investigation into the notions of UAL “simplicity” and “learnability” against the backdrop of the innateness hypothesis in Linguistics, [e] the relevance of grammatical features of creolization, and lastly [f] a contrastive review of potential UAL scripts. A key distinction is made between [1] simplicity defined cognitively as maximum regularity and fewness of rules, as generally proposed by unilinguists for the benefit adult learners of proposed UALs, and [2] simplicity defined neurolinguistically as closeness to the morpho-syntactic dictates of the posited innateness that is central to much of Linguistics in the second half of the 20th century. Potential UAL innateness is considered in light of grammatical similarities between creoles (as proposed by Bickerton).

Contrary to the comparative cognitive and technological properties of world’s main scripts and graphemic principles, empirical scrutiny of the socio- or psychological functions of to-be-compared grammars remains largely uncharted territory. Consequently, the question as to what Theoretical Linguistics -- or the more broadly defined Integrational Linguistics -- can contribute to UAL selection requires much further research. This text represents a point of departure for the “what” and “why” of evidence-based UAL selection from the perspective of late 20th-century Linguistic Science.

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• CHAPTER 1. PRELIMINARIES
  • 1.1. Introduction
  • 1.2. A word on Typography
• CHAPTER 2. AN AUXILIARY LANGUAGE FOR THE WORLD: GENERAL OUTLINE
  • 2.1. The Definition of an 'International Auxiliary Language'
    • 'international'
    • Worldwide Communication
    • Maximum facilitation
    • A Bilingual Global Speech Community?
    • All Kinds of Linguistic Communication
    • Use Between Native Speakers of Different Languages
• CHAPTER 3. UAL TYPOLOGY
• CHAPTER 4. UAL SELECTION: A POLITICAL AND/OR A LINGUISTIC ISSUE?
  • 4.1. Whether and How to Choose a UAL
  • 4.2. Which UAL to Choose
    • Survey of the Issue
    • The Relevance of Topics Within Contemporary Linguistics to UAL Selection: Language Universals and Linguistic Equality
    • Deductions
• CHAPTER 5. THE INNATENESS HYPOTHESIS AND THE SIMPLICITY AND LEARNABILITY OF POTENTIAL UALS
• CHAPTER 6. THE LANGUAGE BIO-PROGRAMME HYPOTHESIS: EMPIRICAL DATA
  • 6.1. The Creole Connection
  • 6.2. Structures of Creolization
  • 6.3. Loose Ends
• CHAPTER 7. THE CHOICE OF A SCRIPT (AND ORTHOGRAPHY)
• CONCLUSIONS AND SUMMARY

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This study examines the concept of a Universal Auxiliary Language (UAL) from a sociolinguistic perspective. It explores the typology of potential UALs, encompassing both natural and constructed languages. The dissertation delves into the complex issue of UAL selection, considering both political and linguistic factors. It argues that while ultimately a governmental decision, the choice of a UAL should be informed by linguistic expertise. The study investigates the implications of language universals and linguistic equality for UAL selection, particularly in the context of learnability and the language bio-programme. It analyzes the structures of creolization as a potential model for understanding the development of UALs and the role of the language bio-programme in shaping their evolution.

• The concept and typology of Universal Auxiliary Languages (UALs)
• The political and linguistic considerations involved in UAL selection
• The role of language universals and linguistic equality in UAL selection
• The relationship between learnability, the language bio-programme, and the structures of creolization
• The implications of script and orthography for the effectiveness of a UAL

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

• Chapter 1: Preliminaries This chapter introduces the topic of a Universal Auxiliary Language (UAL) and provides a brief overview of the dissertation's scope and objectives. It also addresses typographical conventions used throughout the study.
• Chapter 2: An Auxiliary Language for the World: General Outline This chapter defines the concept of an 'International Auxiliary Language' and explores various aspects of its implementation, including the goals of worldwide communication, maximum facilitation, and the creation of a bilingual global speech community. It also discusses the potential use of an UAL for various types of linguistic communication, particularly between native speakers of different languages.
• Chapter 3: UAL Typology This chapter presents a typology of potential UALs, categorizing them as either natural or constructed languages. It examines the characteristics of each type and their suitability for the role of a UAL.
• Chapter 4: UAL Selection: A Political and/or a Linguistic Issue? This chapter addresses the complex question of how to choose a UAL. It argues that while the decision ultimately rests with governments, linguistic expertise should play a significant role. The chapter explores the relevance of topics within contemporary linguistics, such as language universals and linguistic equality, to UAL selection. It also examines the potential consequences of choosing a UAL based solely on political considerations.
• Chapter 5: The Innateness Hypothesis and the Simplicity and Learnability of Potential UALs This chapter explores the concept of the language bio-programme and its implications for the selection of a UAL. It argues that the learnability of a language is crucial for its success as a UAL and that this factor should be considered alongside other criteria.
• Chapter 6: The Language Bio-Programme Hypothesis: Empirical Data This chapter examines the process of creolization as a potential model for understanding the development of UALs. It presents findings from cross-linguistic studies on the similar way in which pidgins undergo structural elaboration when becoming creoles. The similarities in structures of creolization are attributed to the language bio-programme of pidgin acquirers, which imposes itself on the scant structure of the pidgin in the absence of a structurally more sophisticated L1.
• Chapter 7: The Choice of a Script (and Orthography) This chapter explores the implications of script and orthography for the effectiveness of a UAL. It examines the challenges of choosing a script that is both learnable and suitable for representing the sounds of a wide range of languages.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

This study focuses on the sociolinguistics of a Universal Auxiliary Language (UAL), exploring its definition, typology, selection process, and the role of language universals, linguistic equality, and the language bio-programme. The dissertation examines the implications of learnability and the structures of creolization for UAL development, as well as the crucial role of script and orthography in achieving effective communication. Key concepts include international auxiliary language, worldwide communication, language universals, linguistic equality, learnability, creolization, language bio-programme, script, and orthography.

• College: Lancaster University (Departement of Linguistics and Modern English Language)
• Author: Gregory Paul P. Meyjes (Author)
• Publication Year: 1984
• Pages: 100
• Catalog Number: V302964
• ISBN (eBook): 9783668013476
• ISBN (Book): 9783668013483
• Language: English
• Tags: perspectives