What is Language? videos

Added: Aug 11, 2007

Duration: 9:2

This lecture focuses on language itself. It asks many questions. What is Language? How do we acquire and use language? Do we exist inside/outside of language? The word is the beginning and the end, so where do we fit in to the word.Ferdinand de Saussure, linguist, and Jacques Lacan, psychologist, help us explore the subjective and objective realities of the word and our relationship to it. Enjoy this introduction to the nature of "The Word."

Channel: People

Rating: ( ratings) Views: 18717 Comments: 42

Israe5l Says:

May 23, 2008 - ONe thing. signifier which is the label of an object and such as the combination of letter to make a word: "dog" is made out of "d""o""g". And the target of the word is different. The target of "dog" is dog-ness. (Which in my argument is the signified.) These two things are different.

lordfredfine Says:

Sep 23, 2008 - "Signified is the actual object": I would not say this is correct. 'Signified' is our mental representation of the actual object. I think this representation might actually be influenced by the word we (do not) have for it.I suggest you all to read "Cratylus" by Plato.

Israe5l Says:

Sep 23, 2008 - I think CJM04 has a point. That things can be signifiers too. But as I said I think the most wise way to deal with is to admit that there are two things: concepts (collection of signifiers) and empirical objects.What did Plato say?

Israe5l Says:

Sep 26, 2008 - HOw about this? There are passive use of language and active use of langanguage. Passive type are like empirical statements. One observe and turn that into language. (A description.) While active use of language, humans enter the field of language. One may defend his position or one may attack other's position. (Of course, what I am doing here is description. But you will get the point.) One stand on some description. And then put a spin towards what is going on.

musicalmarion Says:

Oct 27, 2008 - The power of language is so strong, that you need your hands so much?

vjsophie Says:

Jan 10, 2009 - woow, thanx to post that, now I finally understand De Saussure!

brazilianspiritzz Says:

Jan 13, 2009 - body language, part of language.

Amaglev Says:

Oct 25, 2009 - As someone applying to read Linguistics at an English University this year, this is a very interesting and valuable video to me. Thanks.

taboosun Says:

Jan 10, 2010 - Very nice explanation of language. I thought I had understood this subject on a deeper level, but you brought more understanding to my consciousness and have helped in the expansion of it as well. The three words especially helped show how language really is the environment we live in.. Its interesting to think about. Thanks..

ChezspeedySPEEDY Says:

May 21, 2010 - I wonder if it's just an impression, but even if I'm French, I often understand better complex theories when they are explained in English...

Xazened Says:

Jun 30, 2010 - You should listen to the teachers of Bashar. They are odd, but still provide a VERY interesting perspective on the concept of the self.

KiraVicious Says:

Oct 23, 2010 - you speak all the languages from the american continent? or just english?sarcams much?

A1R5N1P3R Says:

Oct 23, 2010 - sarcams? Now that's english; Sarcasm - that's American. See? Americans are smarter than you too...

KiraVicious Says:

Oct 24, 2010 - Well I'm American 'cause I was born in the same continent as you that's called "American" continent. Also as far as I know the official language from USA is english.USA education system is a complete shit.

TDP788 Says:

Nov 15, 2010 - i thought of something that had no symbol, but i gave it one. it was a black hole jungle that was whispering and summoning me

ronaldonmg Says:

Dec 19, 2010 - I just want to say that it's perfectly possible to think without having words, or at least to think things you don't have words for (yet).Do you really supppose that deaf-mutes or speechless animals don't think?

gerrywhite Says:

Feb 11, 2011 - Words are just one type of language. Anything within the symbolic order is language, anything that represents something outside of itself. There is a signifier and what is signified. Shapes, images, and even feelings could be language. We use language to discuss, even with ourselves inside our own minds, what we experience. What do you th

theenglishteacher33 Says:

Sep 4, 2011 - This video was quite instructional and interesting. Aren't you making more videos anymore?Thanks for this one anyways, I enjoyed it.

oooodaxteroooo Says:

Sep 14, 2011 - id like to contradict. we do not exist in language. frustration, an orgasm etc. are mere symbols. these feelings exist without a label. and pretty much as with colors we do never know if these things mean the same feeling for somebody else. we just know we use the same symbols. through language we can sort of make ourselves understood, but we dont exist in it. these feelings have meaning in themselves in as much as they are distinct from each other (remember: colors), they dont need words.

RankAndFileGuy Says:

Oct 1, 2011 - There is no official language of the United States. English indeed is dominant, but it's not the offical language of the US.

jcliveron Says:

Oct 18, 2011 - words are suppousedly mean to be our limits of knowledge not the knowledge of a thing get it?

What is Language? Videos