What is the language system and its structure?

What is a language system? How does it differ from many other streamlined linguistic terms? A language system is a collection of language elements. It is of fundamental importance that they exist not in themselves, but are closely related. So a single and integrated system is formed. Each of its components has a certain significance.

Structure

The language system can not be imagined without units of language, levels, signs, etc. All these elements are combined into a common structure with a strict hierarchy. Less significant together form components related to higher levels. The language system includes a dictionary. It is considered an inventory, which includes ready-made units of the language. The mechanism of their combination is grammar.

In any language there are several areas that differ greatly in their properties. For example, their systemic nature may differ. Thus, changes in even one element of phonology can change the whole language, whereas in the case of vocabulary this will not happen. Among other things, the system includes a periphery and a center.

The notion of structure

In addition to the term "language system", the concept of language structure is also accepted. Some linguists consider them synonymous, some do not. The interpretations differ, but there are among them the most popular ones. According to one of them, the structure of language is expressed in the relations between its elements. A comparison with the skeleton is also popular. The structure of a language can be considered as a set of logical relationships and links between units of language. They are determined by nature and characterize the functions and originality of the system.

History

Attitude to language as a system evolved over many centuries. This view was laid by ancient grammarians. However, in the modern sense, the term "language system" was formed only in the New Times thanks to the works of such outstanding scientists as Ferdinand de Saussure, Wilhelm von Humboldt, August Schleicher, and Ivan Bodouin de Courtenay.

The last of the above linguists singled out the most important linguistic units: phoneme, grapheme, morpheme. Saussure became the founder of the idea that language (as a system) is the opposite of speech. This teaching was developed by his disciples and followers. So there was a whole discipline - structural linguistics.

Levels

The main tiers are the levels of the language system (also called sub-systems). They include homogeneous linguistic units. Each level has a set of its own rules, according to which its classification is built. Within one tier, units enter into a relationship (for example, form sentences and phrases). At the same time, elements of different levels can enter into each other. So, morphemes consist of phonemes, and words - from morphemes.

Key levels of the language system are part of any language. Linguists distinguish several such tiers: morphemic, phonemic, syntactic (referring to sentences) and lexical (that is, verbal). Among other things, there are higher levels of language. Their distinguishing feature is in "two-way units," that is, those linguistic units that have a content and expression plan. Such a higher level, for example, is semantic.

Types of levels

The fundamental phenomenon for the construction of a language system is the segmentation of the speech stream. Its beginning is the allocation of phrases or statements. They play the role of communicative units. In the language system, the speech stream corresponds to the syntactic level. The second stage of segmentation is the division of statements. As a result, it forms word forms. They combine heterogeneous functions - relational, derivational, nominative. Word forms are identified in words, or lexemes.

As mentioned above, the system of linguistic signs consists, among other things, of a lexical level. It is formed by vocabulary. The next stage of segmentation is connected with the allocation in the speech stream of the smallest units. They are called morphs. In some of them there are identical grammatical and lexical meanings. Such morphs are combined into morphemes.

Segmentation of the speech stream is completed by the allocation of tiny segments of speech - sounds. They differ in their physical properties. But their function (meaningful) is the same. Sounds are identified in the common language unit. It is called the phoneme - the minimum segment of the language. It can be represented in the form of a tiny (but important) brick in a huge linguistic building. With the help of a system of sounds, the phonological level of the language is formed.

Language Units

Let's look at how the units of a language system differ from its other elements. The fact that they are indecomposable. Thus, this step is the lowest in the language ladder. Units have several classifications. For example, they are divided by the presence of an audio shell. In this case, such units as morphemes, phonemes and words, fall into one group. They are considered material, because they are distinguished by a constant sound envelope. In another group there are models of the structure of word combinations, words and sentences. These units are called relatively-material, since their constructive value is generalized.

Another classification is constructed according to whether the part of the system has an eigenvalue. This is an important feature. The material units of a language are divided into one-sided (those that do not have their own meaning) and two-sided (endowed with meaning). They (words and morphemes) have one more name. These units are known as higher units of language.

Systemic study of the language and its properties does not stand still. Today, a trend has already developed, according to which the concepts of "units" and "elements" began to be contentiously divided. This phenomenon is relatively new. The theory that, as a plan of content and a plan of expression, the elements of language differ in their independence is gaining popularity. This they differ from units.

What other features does the language system have? Units of language differ from each other functionally, qualitatively and quantitatively. Due to this, mankind is familiar with such a deep and widespread linguistic diversity.

Properties of the system

Supporters of structuralism believe that the language system of the Russian language (like any other) is distinguished by several features - rigidity, closeness and unambiguous conditioning. There is also a reverse point of view. It is represented by comparativists. They believe that language as a language system is dynamic and open to change. Such ideas are widely supported in new directions of linguistic science.

But even the proponents of the theory of dynamism and variability of language do not deny the fact that any system of linguistic means has some stability. It is caused by the properties of the structure, which acts as a law of communication of a variety of linguistic elements. Variability and stability are dialectical. They are warring trends. Any word in the language system varies depending on which one is more influential.

Features of units

Another factor that is important for the folding of the language system is the properties of the language units. Their nature is manifested when interacting with each other. Sometimes linguists call properties the functions of the subsystem that they form. These features are divided into external and internal. The latter depend on the relations and connections that are formed between the units themselves. External properties are formed under the influence of language relations with the surrounding world, reality, human feelings and thoughts.

Units form a system thanks to their connections. The properties of these relations are diverse. Some correspond to the communicative function of the language. Others reflect the connection of language with the mechanisms of the human brain - the source of one's own existence. Often, these two species are represented as a graph with horizontal and vertical axes.

Interconnection of levels and units

The subsystem (or level) of the language is allocated in the event that in general it has all the key properties of the language system. It also requires compliance with design requirements. In other words, the level units should participate in the organization of the tier, located a step higher. In the language, everything is interconnected, and no part of it can exist separately from the rest of the organism.

The properties of the subsystem differ in their qualities from the properties of units, which are designed by its level below. This moment is very important. The level properties are determined only by the units of the language that are directly included in its composition. Such a model has an important feature. Attempts by linguists to represent the language as a multi-tiered system are attempts to create a scheme that is different by an ideal order. Such an idea can be called utopian. Theoretical models differ markedly from real practice. Although every language is highly organized, it does not represent an ideal symmetrical and harmonious system. That is why in linguistics there are so many exceptions to the rules that everyone knows from the school's bench.