Assignment 4

Question 1

I totally support the view of language arising from general cognitive functions and not being autonomous. It is widely accepted that language bears its roots in evolution rather than being autonomous. It makes more sense that humans structured their language in a manner that would enable them to describe their surroundings better. For example in the given image, our attention has been so trained that the bird becomes the subject in the image rather than the ground. This may be due to its uncommon shape or even the bright colors. Similarly we can also refer to responses by people on the chase video. A large ball 'chases' a small ball whereas the small ball 'follows' the large ball. This reiterates the fact that language is indeed a influenced by our cognitive functions and not completely autonomous.

Question 2


Responses of Subject 1


Responses of Subject 2

Subject 1:
Language spoken in first 5 years - Hindi/English
Parents' mother tongues - Hindi
Location 1st 5 years - Haryana
Schooling in Hindi - Upto Grade X

Subject 2:
Language spoken in first 5 years - Oriya/English
Parents' mother tongues - Oriya
Location 1st 5 years - Orissa
Schooling in Hindi - Upto Grade VII

Examples of usages:(Subject 1)
keh gaya - Gandhiji keh gaye - Normally used in a respectful sense
has para - Babloo class mein has para - Gives a sense of "suddenness"
has utha - Papa mere joke pe has uthe - Gives a sense of intensity

Examples of usages:(Subject 2)
para - Mild verb
gaya - Gives a sense of extended time
utha - High intensity verb

The light verb 'utha' seems to denote higher energy as confirmed by both subjects. There is normally the sense of protest or rebellion in a person uttering this verb. Disagreement is the broad feeling conveyed by it. Positive or negative, it does exude a kind of energy.

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