What is a language system? How does it differ from many other streamlined linguistic terms? A language system is a set of language elements. It is fundamentally important that they do not exist on their own, but are closely related to each other. Thus, a single and integral system is formed. Each of its components has a certain significance.
Building
It is impossible to imagine a language system without language units, 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 for combining them is grammar.
In any language there are several sections that differ greatly from each other in their properties. For example, their systematization may also differ. Thus, changes in even one element of phonology can change the entire language, while this will not happen in the case of vocabulary. Among other things, the system includes the periphery and the center.
Structure concept
In addition to the term "language system", the concept of languagestructures. Some linguists consider them synonyms, some do not. Interpretations differ, but there are among them the most popular. According to one of them, the structure of a language is expressed in the relations between its elements. The comparison with the frame is also popular. The structure of a language can be considered a set of regular relations and links between language units. They are due to nature and characterize the functions and originality of the system.
History
Relationship to language as a system has evolved over many centuries. This idea was laid down by ancient grammarians. However, in the modern sense, the term "language system" was formed only in modern times thanks to the works of such prominent scientists as Ferdinand de Saussure, Wilhelm von Humboldt, August Schleicher, and Ivan Baudouin de Courtenay.
The last of the above linguists singled out the most important linguistic units: phoneme, grapheme, morpheme. Saussure was the founder of the idea that language (as a system) is the opposite of speech. This teaching was developed by his students and followers. This is how a whole discipline appeared - structural linguistics.
Levels
The main tiers are the levels of the language system (also called subsystems). 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 relationships (for example, they form sentences and phrases). At the same time, elements of different levels can enter into each other. So,morphemes are made up of phonemes, and words are made up of morphemes.
Key levels of the language system are part of any language. Linguists distinguish several such tiers: morphemic, phonemic, syntactic (related to sentences) and lexical (that is, verbal). Among others, there are higher levels of language. Their distinguishing feature lies in "two-sided units", that is, those linguistic units that have a plan of content and expression. Such a higher level, for example, is the semantic one.
Types of levels
The fundamental phenomenon for building a language system is the segmentation of the speech flow. Its beginning is the selection of phrases or statements. They play the role of communicative units. In the language system, the speech flow corresponds to the syntactic level. The second stage of segmentation is the segmentation of statements. As a result, word forms are formed. They combine heterogeneous functions - relative, derivational, nominative. Word forms are identified into words or lexemes.
As mentioned above, the system of linguistic signs also consists of the lexical level. It is formed by vocabulary. The next stage of segmentation is associated with the selection of the smallest units in the speech stream. They are called morphs. Some of them have identical grammatical and lexical meanings. Such morphs are combined into morphemes.
Segmentation of the speech flow ends with the selection of tiny segments of speech - sounds. They differ in their physical properties. But their function(meaningful) is the same. Sounds are identified in a common language unit. It is called a phoneme - the smallest segment of a language. It can be thought of as a tiny (but important) brick in a vast linguistic edifice. With the help of the system of sounds, the phonological level of the language is formed.
Language units
Let's look at how the units of the language system differ from its other elements. Because they are indestructible. Thus, this rung is the lowest in the language ladder. Units have several classifications. For example, they are divided by the presence of a sound shell. In this case, units such as morphemes, phonemes and words fall into one group. They are considered material, as they differ in a constant sound shell. In another group there are models of the structure of phrases, words and sentences. These units are called relatively material, as their constructive meaning is generalized.
Another classification is built according to whether a part of the system has its own value. This is an important sign. The material units of the 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 another name. These units are known as the higher units of the language.
Systematic study of the language and its properties does not stand still. Today there is already a tendency, according to which the concepts of "units" and "elements" began to be substantively separated. This phenomenon is relatively new. The theory that theas a plan of content and a plan of expression, the elements of the language are not independent. This is how they differ from units.
What other features characterize the language system? Language units differ from each other functionally, qualitatively and quantitatively. Because of this, humanity is familiar with such a deep and ubiquitous linguistic diversity.
System Properties
Supporters of structuralism believe that the language system of the Russian language (like any other) is distinguished by several features - rigidity, closeness and unambiguous conditionality. There is also an opposite point of view. It is represented by the 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 supporters of the theory of the dynamism and variability of language do not deny the fact that any system of language means has some stability. It is caused by the properties of the structure, which acts as a law of connection of a variety of linguistic elements. Variability and stability are dialectical. They are opposing tendencies. Any word in the language system changes depending on which one has the most influence.
Features of units
Another factor important for the formation of a language system is the properties of language units. Their nature is revealed when interacting with each other. Sometimes linguists refer to properties as functions of the subsystem theyform. These features are divided into external and internal. The latter depend on the relationships and connections that develop between the units themselves. External properties are formed under the influence of the relationship of the language with the outside world, reality, human feelings and thoughts.
Units form a system due to their connections. The properties of these relationships are varied. Some correspond to the communicative function of language. Others reflect the connection of language with the mechanisms of the human brain - the source of its own existence. Often these two views are presented as a graph with horizontal and vertical axes.
Relationship between levels and units
A subsystem (or level) of a language is singled out if, on the whole, it possesses all the key properties of the language system. It is also required to comply with the requirements of constructability. In other words, units of the level must participate in the organization of the tier located one step higher. Everything in a language is interconnected, and no part of it can exist separately from the rest of the organism.
The properties of a subsystem differ in their qualities from the properties of the units that construct it at a lower level. This moment is very important. The properties of a level are determined only by the units of the language that are directly part of it. This model has an important feature. The attempts of linguists to present language as a multi-tiered system are attempts to create a schema that is distinguished by ideal order. Similar ideacan be called utopian. Theoretical models differ markedly from real practice. Although any 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 school.
