Object language is an area of linguistics that examines the relationship between language and objects. It is an interdisciplinary field, drawing from a variety of disciplines, including psychology, linguistics, anthropology, and philosophy. This article will provide an overview of object language, discussing its history, characteristics, and implications for language education.
The field of object language has its roots in the work of the Swiss linguist Ferdinand de Saussure. In his Course in General Linguistics, Saussure argued that language is a system of signs, composed of two distinct components: a signifier, which is the sound or form of the word, and a signified, which is the concept or idea represented by the signifier. He further suggested that the relationship between the signifier and signified is arbitrary, and that language is a product of convention rather than nature. This view of language later came to be known as structuralism.
Object language is a branch of structuralism that focuses on the relationship between language and objects. It views language as a system of symbols that are used to represent objects in the world. As such, it emphasizes the importance of context and the ways in which language is used to interact with objects. Object language is also concerned with the ways in which objects are used to represent abstract ideas and concepts.
Object language has important implications for language education. It suggests that language is not static, but rather is constantly being shaped by the objects it is used to represent. As such, it encourages language educators to be mindful of the objects that are used in language education, and to consider how these objects may be used to foster meaningful conversations and interactions. In particular, it suggests that language educators should pay attention to the ways in which objects are used to express emotions, feelings, and perspectives.
In conclusion, object language is an important field of linguistics that focuses on the relationship between language and objects. It has its roots in the work of Ferdinand de Saussure and is an important component of language education. By examining the ways in which objects are used to represent abstract ideas and by focusing on the importance of context, object language encourages language educators to consider how objects may be used to foster meaningful conversations and interactions.
References
De Saussure, F. (1959). Course in general linguistics. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.
Gottlieb, H. (2011). An introduction to object language. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.
Hoffman, D. (2015). Objects of language: The object-oriented approach to language education. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.