DYNAMICS OF METHODOLOGICAL CHANGES

LANGUAGE ORIGINS
Language is a system of symbols, with several levels of organization, at least phonetics (the sounds), syntax (the grammar), and semantics (the meanings) By age four, most humans have developed an ability to communicate through oral language. By age six or seven, most humans can comprehend, as well as express, written thoughts.
The linguist Charles Hockett provided some features,which distinguish human speech from other communication systems.The features are :
1.Displacement:the ability to talk about the things remote in space and time;
2.Productivity:the capacity to say things never before said or heard which are yet understandable and acceptable by others;
3.Traditional transmission:by which linguistic conventions are carried on through teaching and learning;
4.Pattern duality:the enormous store of words is represented by small combinations of a still smaller stock distinguishable sounds,themselves meaningless(tack,cat,act are sementically distinct) (Edward,1994:32)
LANGUGE AND LANGUAGE FAMILIES
A language family is a group of languages related by descent from a common ancestor, called the proto-language of that family. All languages change with time. A comparison of Chaucer's English, Shakespere's English and Modern English shows how a language can change over several hundred years.
If two groups of people speaking the same language are separated, in time their languages will change along different paths. One of the best examples in Western history occurred after the Roman Empire collapsed in the 4th Century AD. Latin was the language of that empire. All the Latin speakers in different parts of Europe (Italian Peninsula, Gaul, Iberian Peninsula, Carpathia) became isolated from each other. Their languages evolved along independent rotes to give us the modern languages of Italian, French, Spanish, Portuguese and Romanian.
WHAT IS MULTILINGUALISM?
Multilingualism is the ability to speak more than one language, which is a widespread global phenomenon.
‘ During the last 100 years, there have been two great changes. In the first place, many more people have learnt an internationally useful foreign language, in Europe and in many other parts of the world. In the second place, there was a choice among several languages a century ago, but now the foreign language (or the first foreign language) that is learnt is almost always English.’
‘ As a matter of fact, language contacts are becoming frequent everywhere.For example, The United States now has a significant Spanish-speaking minority that did not exist thirty years ago. Britain has had considerable immigration from many countries, and contacts with the European Union are more extensive than earlier.’
THE CONSEQUENCES OF BABEL
*Languages of Wider Communication
‘After Latin, several other languages have achieved lingua franca status.French,for example, was a powerful link language throughout Europe and beyond by the 18th century.It had particular influence at the higher levels of society (John Edwards,Multilingualism,1994:40).’
Today there is no doubt that English is the most important global variety and thus has the greatest status as a world lingua franca.Chinese is spoken by more people than any other language.
*Pidgins and Creoles
‘A pidgin language is a simplified language that develops as a means of communication between two or more groups that do not have a language in common, in situations such as trade, or where both groups speak languages different to the language of the country in which they reside (but there is no common language between the groups).’
‘A 'pidgin' language is not the native language of any speech community, but is instead learned as a second language.A 'Pidgin' language may be built from words, sounds, or body language from multiple other languages / cultures.’
Pidgin languages usually have low prestige with respect to other languages.There are many pidgins in use.Their vocabulary and grammar are restricted, yet allow simple communication and pidgins shows linguistic creativity.
‘Pidgins become ‘creole’ languages when a generation whose parents speak pidgin to each other teach it to their children as their first language. Creoles can then replace the existing mix of languages to become the native language of a community (John Edwards,Multilingualism,1994:42).’
‘For example; ‘Krio’ in Sierra Leone and ‘Tok Pisin’ in Papua New Guinea.However, not all pidgins become creole languages; a pidgin may die out before this phase would occur.’
*Constructed Languages
‘The third category of lingua franca is the artificial or constructed language.A planned or constructed language is a language whose phonology, grammar, or vocabulary have been consciously devised by an individual or group, instead of having evolved naturally(Edwards,1994:44).’
*Translation
‘A second broad approach to bridging language gaps is translation.It is obvious that using a translator or interpreter has practical benefits;it is perhaps less obvious that psychological disadvantages may present themselves.The translator is one whose linguistic competence gives entry to two language communities and there may be apprehension (Edwards,1994:48).’
MULTICULTURALISM
Multiculturalism means being more than one culture surviving somehow together in a community.The number of multicultural countries has been rising especially after the INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION.However; there are several reasons behind it such as poverty,lack of job, diseases… Of course; when the others come, their culture comes so.That is; a multicultural society turns out like this.
In such a society there are many advantages and disadvantages.For example; one can learn a variety of different habits,another language(s),or some unusual customs.Yet, you can corrupt your own nation’s traditions by mixing or trying to combine one to another which is the most dangerous one i think.Up to now,such societies have made regulations to reshape or melt down the others.On the other hand; when we have look on the effects of multiculturalism in our country, it can be regarded enormous as for language.Especially the teenagers’ language is really hard to understand.They try to mix the words up and create something different.The authorities should be very very careful about this,neither to despise anyone nor to punish.They should co-operate with the public itself about the precautions.
Another important topic is the sexual discrimination.From ancient times women have been seen inferior to men in a lot of societies.They were seen as workers: cleaning,washing the dishes,daily works… As a result they couldn’t contribute anything to the society.Only men tried to give something but especialy in the field of language there has been big gaps when we take a look.In developedcountries,this situation is at the lowest level and because of this we call those as developed.You can not isolate women from the society because if everyone lives together,eveyone needs to take action together.If you do so,you will be eternally stay at the same level.Progressively in every part of the world this becomes more aware.
In conclusion,the criteria must be to take action contemplating every little detail since the topic is very crucial.



Zehra DEMİR, Fatma ÇALIŞKAN, Emrah TÜRKKAYA