Introduction

Nullius in verba (‘Take nobody’s word for it’) The Royal Society’s motto

Is language a natural phenomenon?

Can language be studied like other natural phenomena?

What do we know about the language we use?

Does our use of language reflect our knowledge of language?

What is the relation between our conscious and unconscious knowledge of language?

What do we use language for?

      Recording and communicating knowledge

      Thinking

            observing new phenomena

            expressing new concepts

            developing new abstractions

      Persuasion

            politics

            business

            dating

      Regulating society

            legal contracts

            laws

            income tax regulations

      Art

            literature

            music

            popular culture

Is there any human activity that language does not touch?

Assignment #1: Cruise the Web

Due: Jan. 19th

      For this assignment, find an internet site with information on some aspect of language that you finding especially interesting. Write a one-paragraph description of the site that describes: