What is a language system? How does it differ from many other streamlined linguistic terms? The language system is called the combination of language elements. It is fundamentally important that they do not exist on their own, but are closely related. And so a single and integral system is formed. Each of its components has a certain significance.
Structure
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 of their combination is grammar.
In any language, there are several sites that differ greatly from each other in their properties. For example, their systematic nature may vary. So, changes even of one element of phonology can change the whole language as a whole, whereas in the case of vocabulary this will not happen. Among other things, the system includes the periphery and the center.
Structure concept
In addition to the term “language system”, the concept of language structure is also accepted. Some linguists consider them synonyms, some do not. Interpretations are different, but there are the most popular among them. According to one of them, the structure of a language is expressed in the relations between its elements. A comparison with the frame is also popular. The structure of the language can be considered a combination of regular relationships and relationships between units of the language. They are caused by nature and characterize the functions and originality of the system.
History
The attitude 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 the New Time thanks to the work of such outstanding scientists as Ferdinand de Saussure, Wilhelm von Humboldt, August Schleicher, and also Ivan Baudouin de Courtenay.
The last of the above linguists identified 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 students and followers. So 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, form sentences and phrases). At the same time, elements of different levels can enter into each other. So, morphemes consist of phonemes, and words are made of morphemes.
Key levels of the language system are part of any language. Linguists distinguish several such tiers: morphemic, phoneme, syntactic (related to sentences) and lexical (i.e., verbal). Among others, there are higher levels of language. Their distinguishing feature is “bilateral units,” that is, those linguistic units that have a plan of content and expression. Such a higher level, for example, is semantic.
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 utterances. 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, word forms are formed. They combine heterogeneous functions - relational, derivational, nominative. Word forms are identified in words, or tokens.
As already mentioned above, the system of linguistic signs consists also of the lexical level. It is formed by vocabulary. The next stage of segmentation is associated with the allocation in the speech stream of the smallest units. They are called morphs. Some of them have identical grammatical and lexical meanings. Such morphs are combined into morphemes.
The segmentation of the speech flow ends with 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 a common language unit. It is called a phoneme - the minimum segment of the language. It can be represented as a tiny (but important) brick in a huge linguistic building. With the help of a sound system, a 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. 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 a sound envelope. In this case, units such as morphemes, phonemes, and words fall into one group. They are considered material, since they differ in a constant sound envelope. In another group are models of the structure of phrases, words and sentences. These units are called relatively material, since their constructive meaning is generalized.
Another classification is constructed according to whether a part of the system has its own meaning. This is an important sign. 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 highest units of language.
Systematic study of the language and its properties does not stand still. Today, there is already a trend according to which the concepts of “units” and “elements” have become meaningfully separated. This phenomenon is relatively new. The theory that, as a plan of content and a plan of expression, elements of a language are not independent, is gaining popularity. In this they differ from units.
What other features is characterized by the language system? Language units differ from each other functionally, qualitatively and quantitatively. Thanks to this, humanity is familiar with such a deep and ubiquitous linguistic diversity.
Properties of the system
Proponents of structuralism believe that the linguistic system of the Russian language (like any other) is distinguished by several features - rigidity, secrecy and unambiguous conditionality. There is a reverse point of view. It is represented by the comparative. They believe that language as a language system is dynamic and open to change. Such ideas are widely supported in new areas 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 the law of communication of various linguistic elements. Variability and stability are dialectical. They are warring trends. Any word in the linguistic system varies depending on which one is highly influential.
Unit Features
Another factor important for the folding of the language system is the properties of linguistic units. Their nature manifests itself in interaction 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 relationships and relationships that develop between the units themselves. External properties are formed under the influence of relations of the language with the surrounding world, reality, human feelings and thoughts.
Units form a system through their connections. The properties of these relationships are diverse. Some correspond to the communicative function of the language. Others reflect the connection of language with the mechanisms of the human brain - a source of one's own existence. Often these two types are presented as a graph with horizontal and vertical axes.
The relationship of levels and units
A subsystem (or level) of a language is distinguished if, in general, it has all the key properties of a language system. It also requires compliance with the requirements of design. In other words, level units must participate in the organization of a tier located a step higher. In language, everything is interconnected, and not a single 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 units that construct it a level lower. This point is very important. The properties of a level are determined only by language units that are directly included in its composition. This model has an important feature. Attempts by linguists to present language as a multi-tiered system are attempts to create a scheme that is distinguished by ideal orderliness. A similar idea can be called utopian. Theoretical models differ markedly from real practice. Although every language is highly organized, it does not constitute an ideal symmetrical and harmonious system. That is why in linguistics there are so many exceptions to the rules that everyone knows from school.