Re: What is language? A summary ...

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From: James Harvey Stout
Date: Sat, 31 Oct 1998 00:00

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newhov@my-dejanews.com wrote:

> In article <36277e29.18457365@news.kuleuven.ac.be>,
>   wim.vannieuwenhoven@student.kuleuven.ac.be (Wim Van Nieuwenhoven) wrote:
> > Thanks for all the reactions I got on my question:
> >
> > "What is language, its purpose, its origin?"
>
>   Language is a special type of social behavior designed to influence others'
> behavior as well as our own nonverbal behavior.  See B. F. Skinner's "Verbal
> Behavior."

I think that the definition has a few problems:
The word "designed" implies _intent_. But, for example, sometimes we aren't even
_aware_ of our _body_ language, so it couldn't be expressing any intent (at least
not a _conscious_ intent).

The idea of "influencing others' behavior" is rather weak. When I say, "Hello," I
am not trying to influence the other person, except to respond with "Hello."

James Harvey Stout
---
Free book! "Archetypal Fields" explains one basis for all of life: success,
relationships, happiness, intelligence, spiritual fulfillment. Download it or
read it on the website. http://www.james-harvey-stout.com .

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From: James Harvey Stout <james@james-harvey-stout.com>
Subject: Re: What is language? A summary ...
Date: 1998/10/31
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