Introduction
The unique feature of human life that beings have ever invented is language, and it is not just one but many, showcasing the rich tapestry of Differences Among Languages. There are more than 6,500 languages spoken in the world, divided into 136 major families. Despite the existence of numerous language families, no two languages are the same; they differ in various ways. In addition to naturally evolved language families, some artificial languages have been developed for convenience, such as sign languages. Differences encompass a range of aspects, from sounds and sound systems to the number of alphabets, derivation of meanings from script to families, and from the style of writing to the style of reading. Most languages differ in three major areas, including phonetics, script, and grammar, besides the total number of their alphabets.
Phonetics
Languages exhibit variation in their phonetics, encompassing not only the sounds themselves but also their production, combination, description, and the written symbols that represent them. The range of sounds in languages can vary significantly, with some having only a few sounds, while others boast a comprehensive system.
For instance, consider Pashto, spoken in Afghanistan, some areas of Pakistan, and parts of Uzbekistan. Pashto comprises 44 letters borrowed not only from Arabic but also from Persian and Urdu. Despite sharing a linguistic family with Arabic, Pashto’s total sounds, approximately 65, differ considerably from both Urdu and English. Pashto also diverges from Urdu in some sounds absent in Urdu and features some sounds not utilized in Arabic, despite the shared linguistic lineage. While Pashto and English share similarities in vowel sounds, Pashto lacks diphthongs and triphthongs, using single-letter symbols to represent these sounds. Furthermore, Pashto’s combination of sounds distinguishes it from its parent language, Arabic, and its relatives, Urdu and Persian. This example illustrates the diverse phonetic systems found in all languages.
Script and Differences Among Languages
Every language possesses a distinct writing system that sets it apart from others, even those within the same linguistic family. Take Pashto, for instance; it differs significantly in its writing system. Pashto is written in the Arabic script, while its sister languages, Persian and Urdu, utilize the Nastaleeq script, which is a refined version of the Arabic script written in slanting letters. In contrast, English, from a different language family, employs the Roman script, written from left to right. Notably, Pashto, written in the Arabic script, starts from right to left, showcasing a fundamental difference in direction. Additionally, there are variations within the Arabic script itself, with different symbols denoting distinct sounds. This underscores the diversity in scripts among languages.
Grammar and Differences Among Languages
Grammar is a pivotal aspect, and languages vary significantly in this area. In Pashto, detailed rules for nouns and their types are not as extensive as in Persian, which boasts a vast array of nouns, or in Arabic, recognized for having one of the most intricate grammars among all languages. Arabic, for instance, employs distinct words to denote dual and plurals, a feature not mirrored in Pashto, which employs different singulars and plurals.
Arabic grammar stands out for its intricate nature, with over 75 words or symbols representing “camel” and a similar number for “dates.” This language exhibits semantic differences in linguistic features. Urdu, another language with detailed grammar, presents six different ways to denote the past tense. In a comparison of Chinese to English, Chinese grammar reveals simpler rules, often utilizing the same words for plurals and singulars, and featuring a higher occurrence of gerunds than in many other languages.
In essence, no two languages share identical grammar rules, except for Urdu and Punjabi. Although Punjabi predates Urdu and can be written in two scripts—Shahmukhi and Gurmukhi—its grammar remains the same as Urdu’s.
Conclusion: Differences Among Languages
In short, much like the uniqueness of individual human beings, they developed in different regions of the world exhibit variations influenced by factors such as culture, regional distinctions, cuisine, attire, and even local flora and fauna. Like living organisms, they undergo variations from one region to another. These linguistic differences manifest in alphabets, phonetic systems, written scripts, and language rules. While some modern linguists argue for uniformity in grammar rules, attributing it to an inherent human capability, distinctions in grammar rules persist across languages, albeit in rare cases.
Works Cited
- Garshol, Lars Marius. “Scripts and Languages.” Ontopia, n.d. Web. 07 December 2013. http://www.ontopia.net/i18n/index.jsp.
- Nordquist, Richard. “Ten Types of Grammar.” About.com, n.d. Web. 07 December 2013. http://grammar.about.com/od/basicsentencegrammar/a/tengrammartypes.htm.
- R.L.G. “True Untranslatability.” The Economist, 01 December 2011. Web. 07 December 2013. http://www.economist.com/blogs/johnson/2011/12/differences-among-languages.
- Shoebottom, Paul. “Language Families.” FIS ESL, 2013. Web. 07 December 2013. http://esl.fis.edu/grammar/langdiff/family.htm.
Relevant Questions
- How does the concept of “True Untranslatability” highlight the inherent differences?
- What key factors contribute to the variations in grammar, as discussed in “Ten Types of Grammar,” emphasizing the differences?
- How do language families play a crucial role in understanding the diversities and commonalities that contribute to differences ?