Language universals in comparative linguistics

Аннотация

This paper includes the concept of language universals in the field of comparative linguistics, where they play a crucial role and provide valuable insights. The article explores how we can distinguish the differences and similarities of languages that are in the same language families and obey the same typological categories. Researchers can determine universal principles that influence the grammar, semantics, and phonology of human languages by examining the parallels and divergences among languages. The purpose of this research is to clarify the basic traits that all 119 Topical issues of language training in the globalized world languages have in common as well as the variety and heterogeneity found in various language systems. In the end, a deeper comprehension of language universals can advance our understanding of linguistic diversity, language learning, and language change throughout time. This article explores the field of language universals, illuminating the fundamental ideas, typological trends, and shared components that support the complex structure of human language. Key words: language universals, heterogeneity, comparative linguistics, kinship terms, non- natives, semantic. Linguistic universals are patterns or traits that are shared by all or a large number of languages. All communities and civilizations use human languages in a way that is shaped by these universals. Comparative linguistics, which studies the similarities and contrasts between languages, helps identify these universal patterns and principles. One of the examples of language universals include word order. The word order of many languages in the globe is either subject-verb-object (SVO) or subject-object-verb (SOV), certain word orders are present in many languages, notwithstanding exceptions, indicating a widespread inclination towards certain fundamental sentence forms. Another example includes semantic universals which refer to common and similar vocabularies within the Germanic language family. In both written and oral languages, we can determine some similar features of Germanic languages when it comes to semantic universals. For instance, kinship terms in English and Persian languages, mother- (madar), father - (padar), brother- (brodar), daughter- (dohtar). These examples demonstrate how kinship terminology is used in Persian and English to define family members and ties. Kinship words are essential for communicating social roles and familial links in various languages and cultures. As stated by V.G.Gak, “ Comparative linguistics grew out of the need to describe languages and from the need to teach them”. According to this view, comparative linguistics can help both students and teachers to distinguish similarities and differences of linguistics universals that are crucial, especially for English language teachers as non-natives. Learning English vocabulary and collocations can be an engaging process if you are familiar with Germanic languages. For example, the word “sun” is almost similar to other Germanic 120 Topical issues of language training in the globalized world languages, “ soleil “ in French, “ sol “ in Spanish, and “ солнце “ in Russian. The formation of compound nouns is also one of the key features of language universals because Germanic languages can create compound nouns by combining two words to give another new meaning. Bauer mentioned that “Compounds are usually defined as words made up of two independent bases, one of which is a head”. As for sentence and verb structure, the present progressive or present continuous tense is one instance of a verb tense and aspect that is comparable in both the English and Russian languages. Similar constructions in Russian are made by combining the present tense of the verb “to be” (быть) with the main verb’s present participle (e.g., “Я идy” - I am walking). This tense is used to show continuing or continuous acts in the present, actions that are happening at the time of speaking. Both English and Russian have a similar structure for the present progressive tense, indicating that the two languages share a common means of describing ongoing present acts. In Germanic languages, prepositions play a crucial role and they are used not only to indicate a relationship between nouns and pronouns but also to influence meaning and structure of a sentence. For instance, in German, one often uses the prepositions “in” (in), “auf” (on), “unter” (under), “vor” (before), and “hinter” (behind). These prepositions typically come before the word to provide a link between the noun or pronoun and the rest of the phrase. Because they can differ from English prepositions in meaning and application, prepositions in each Germanic language should be understood. Correct usage of prepositions is essential if you want to become a more effective communicator and speaker. Researchers in comparative linguistics frequently classify languages according to typological patterns and structural char