Aitchison's Linguistics Quiz
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Questions and Answers

Which edition of Aitchison's Linguistics was first published in 2010?

  • Second edition
  • Fifth edition
  • Seventh edition (correct)
  • Third edition

What is the total number of editions for Aitchison's Linguistics listed?

  • Eight editions
  • Six editions
  • Seven editions (correct)
  • Five editions

Where can UK order inquiries for Aitchison's Linguistics be directed?

  • Hodder Education
  • Teach Yourself
  • Bookpoint Ltd (correct)
  • McGraw-Hill Customer Services

Who is the author of Aitchison’s Linguistics?

<p>Jean Aitchison (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What company is responsible for North American order inquiries?

<p>McGraw-Hill Companies (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the official website mentioned for order inquiries?

<p><a href="http://www.teachyourself.com">www.teachyourself.com</a> (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements is accurate concerning the Teach Yourself series?

<p>Has sold more than 50 million copies worldwide (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What kind of inquiries does the telephone number provided for Bookpoint Ltd handle?

<p>Order inquiries for various publications (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What characteristic makes sound communication advantageous in animals, according to the text?

<p>It can be used in the dark and at a distance. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which characteristic is NOT considered a design feature of human language?

<p>The presence of complex rituals. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does Charles Hockett's approach involve in understanding language?

<p>Comparing language to animal communication systems. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which organ is primarily used for breathing, but also plays a role in speech?

<p>Lungs (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why do humans still retain the need for a rigid rib cage in various physical activities?

<p>To assist in weightlifting and childbirth. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What common method of communication is shared by animals like crabs and bees?

<p>Physical gestures or movements. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How did evolutionary history influence the development of sound communication in humans?

<p>Physical speech organs were already adapted for different functions. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is one reason that the use of sound is considered basic and widespread in communication?

<p>It allows for a variety of messages to be sent. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of Aitchison's Linguistics book?

<p>To serve as an introduction for self-study in linguistics (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect of linguistics does the book emphasize for newcomers?

<p>The importance of technical vocabulary (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What metaphor is used in the text to describe the development of linguistics?

<p>A road that branches into multiple paths (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does Aitchison hope readers will achieve after engaging with the book?

<p>They will decide their stance on key language issues (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does Aitchison view the controversies within linguistics?

<p>As necessary for a dynamic understanding of the field (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In what year did Aitchison mention that the first edition of the book was published?

<p>1972 (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What kind of view does Aitchison aim to provide regarding linguistic issues?

<p>A balanced and neutral perspective (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What type of terminology does Aitchison emphasize the importance of in the field of linguistics?

<p>Technical vocabulary (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary focus of linguists in the early to mid-twentieth century?

<p>Describing single languages at specific points in time (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Who is often referred to as 'the father of modern linguistics'?

<p>Ferdinand de Saussure (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What crucial concept did Saussure emphasize about language items?

<p>They are interlinked and defined by their relationships (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What did the Young Grammarians imply about language changes?

<p>They were optional tendencies (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What significant contribution is attributed to Ferdinand de Saussure?

<p>The introduction of structural linguistics (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How did the public's perception of linguistic studies reflect nineteenth-century scholarship?

<p>They sought details on linguistic changes and Proto-Indo-European (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What analogy did Saussure use to explain the interrelatedness of language elements?

<p>A game of chess (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What misconception might people have about the term 'structural linguistics'?

<p>It implies a rigid understanding of languages (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What type of generative grammar did Chomsky propose?

<p>Transformational grammar (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the term Chomsky uses to refer to the inherited core of language knowledge?

<p>Universal Grammar (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which concept highlights that humans share common internalized language mechanisms?

<p>Language universals (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What did Chomsky's Minimalist Program focus on in his later work?

<p>Broad general principles of human language (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect of Chomsky's views has faced criticism?

<p>The emphasis on constraints of language (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What analogy did Chomsky use to describe his scientific approach?

<p>A physicist studying gravity (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What trend did Chomsky's later work align with, according to the content?

<p>The quest for a Theory of Everything (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Chomsky's work in linguistics significantly influenced which part of the twentieth century?

<p>Second half (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the main characteristic of human language compared to animal communication?

<p>It consists mostly of arbitrary symbols. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do animals' communication systems generally differ from humans'?

<p>Animal communication is genetically inbuilt. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'duality' in communication refer to?

<p>The ability to combine basic sounds to create a variety of meanings. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best describes the learning process necessary for acquiring human language?

<p>It is a long and culturally transmitted process. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following words is an exception to the rule of arbitrariness in human language?

<p>Quack-quack (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What happens to a human raised in isolation regarding language acquisition?

<p>They typically do not acquire any language at all. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the number of sound signals used by animals compare to that of humans?

<p>Many animals can use a limited number of basic sounds. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In animal communication, how does the concept of 'genetically inbuilt' relate?

<p>Animals have instinctively programmed ways to communicate. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Teach Yourself Series

A renowned series of self-learning books covering a wide range of subjects, including languages, crafts, hobbies, business, computing, and education. It's known for its user-friendly approach and has sold over 50 million copies worldwide.

Copyright

A legal right that grants the creator of original works, such as literary, dramatic, musical, and certain other intellectual works, the exclusive right to control the copying, distribution, and performance of their works.

British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data

A record of a publication that includes information such as the title, author, publisher, and ISBN, which is made available to the British Library for cataloguing purposes.

Library of Congress Catalog Card Number

A unique number assigned to a publication by the Library of Congress, which is used to identify and catalog the work.

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First Edition

The first published version of a book or other work.

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Published

Made publicly available, often in printed form, for the general public to access.

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Authored

Written or created by a specific person or group of people.

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Registered Trade Mark

A symbol, design, or phrase legally registered to represent a company or product, indicating the exclusive right of use.

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What is linguistics?

Linguistics is the scientific study of language. It explores how language works, its structure, and its use in society.

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What is the goal of Aitchison's book?

This book, Aitchison’s Linguistics, aims to provide an introductory guide to the field of linguistics, making it accessible to beginners. It serves as a stepping stone for those interested in further exploration.

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What is meant by 'middle-of-the-road' views?

When presenting different theories or perspectives within linguistics, the book aims to offer a neutral, balanced understanding rather than advocating for one side.

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Why are controversies important in linguistics?

Controversies within linguistics demonstrate the dynamic nature of the field. Different perspectives and opinions drive research and understanding.

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How does linguistics evolve?

Like a tree constantly growing new branches, the field of linguistics is expanding and evolving with new discoveries and theories.

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Why are updated readings important?

As linguistics progresses, new research emerges, making it necessary to update readings to reflect current knowledge.

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Who benefits from updated readings?

Updated readings benefit students and researchers by providing the most accurate and relevant information in the field of linguistics.

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Why is it important to spot errors?

Identifying errors in books ensures the accuracy of the information presented, promoting rigorous and reliable learning experiences.

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What are design features?

Characteristics that distinguish language from other communication systems.

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What is a sound signal?

Communication using vocalizations or noises.

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What is the advantage of sound signals?

They can be used over long distances, in the dark, allow diverse messages, and free the body for other activities.

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Why is human sound signaling not unique?

Many animals utilize sounds for communication, including birds, dolphins, and monkeys.

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What is the connection between speech organs and basic functions?

Organs used for speech have primary functions like breathing and eating.

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What is an example of a speech organ used for basic function?

The vocal cords are used for breathing, but also for producing sounds.

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Why might humans have acquired sound signaling later in evolution?

Because the organs used for speech primarily serve basic functions like breathing and eating

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What is an example of a basic function still used by humans?

The vocal cords being used to close the lungs for actions like weightlifting to make the rib cage rigid.

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Young Grammarians

A group of linguists in the 19th century who believed that language changes follow specific, predictable 'laws'.

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Structural Linguistics

A school of thought in linguistics that emphasizes the interconnectedness of language elements, viewing language as a structured system.

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De Saussure's contribution

De Saussure revolutionized linguistics by emphasizing that all language items are interconnected. He compared language to a chess game, where each piece's meaning is defined by its relation to others.

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Shift from language change to description

In the 20th century, linguistics moved away from studying how languages change over time to focusing on describing a language at a specific point in time.

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Ferdinand de Saussure

A Swiss linguist considered the 'father of modern linguistics', known for emphasizing the interconnected nature of language elements.

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Descriptive Linguistics

The study of language as it is used, focusing on describing and analyzing language at a specific point in time.

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Course in General Linguistics

A groundbreaking work by Ferdinand de Saussure, published posthumously, which greatly influenced the development of structural linguistics.

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Proto-Indo-European

A hypothetical ancestor language from which many modern European and Indian languages are thought to have descended.

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Arbitrariness in Language

The lack of a natural connection between a word and the thing it represents. For example, there's no reason why 'cat' refers to a feline creature, it's simply agreed upon.

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Animal Communication vs. Human Language

Animals often communicate through signals that directly reflect their intentions, like an aggressive posture, while human language relies on abstract symbols that have no inherent connection to meaning.

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Learning in Language Acquisition

Humans acquire language through a long process of learning and exposure, unlike many animals who communicate instinctively.

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Duality of Human Language

Human language has two levels: sounds (phonemes) and meanings (morphemes). We combine these basic units to create a vast range of words and sentences.

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Limited Animal Sounds vs. Human Language

Animals have a limited range of sounds they can make, and they generally use each sound for a single purpose. Human language allows for much greater flexibility and creativity in communication.

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Cultural Transmission of Language

Human language is passed down through generations, learned from our environment and culture. Animals typically have genetically determined communication systems.

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Innate Language Predisposition

While we learn language, humans are born with a built-in capacity to acquire it. This innate ability allows us to grasp the complex rules and patterns of language.

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Onomatopoeia & Language

Onomatopoeic words like 'quack-quack' and 'crash' are special cases where there is a connection between the sound and the meaning. However, these are relatively rare compared to most arbitrary words in language.

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Transformational-Generative Grammar (TGG)

A type of grammar that uses transformations to generate all possible sentences in a language. It focuses on the underlying structure of sentences and how they are derived from simpler structures.

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Generative Grammar

A type of grammar that aims to explain how humans generate and understand sentences. It focuses on the underlying rules and principles that govern language production.

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Universal Grammar (UG)

A proposed innate set of linguistic principles that are shared by all human languages. It suggests humans are born with a basic understanding of language structure.

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Language Universals

Features or principles that are common to all human languages, reflecting shared cognitive abilities and constraints.

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Constraints in Language

Limits or boundaries within which human languages operate. They constrain the possible structures and variations of languages.

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Minimalist Program

A more abstract approach to linguistics proposed by Chomsky, focusing on the bare bones of language structure and seeking to identify the fundamental principles governing all languages.

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Chomsky's Impact on Linguistics

Chomsky revolutionized linguistics by introducing the concept of generative grammar, focusing on language universals and proposing the existence of Universal Grammar.

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Criticisms of Chomsky's Theories

Some argue that Chomsky's theories overemphasize constraints, leading to overly rigid models. The boundaries of language are often more flexible and diverse than his theories suggest.

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Study Notes

Aitchison's Linguistics - Study Notes

  • This book is an introduction to linguistics, covering core concepts and terminology.
  • It differentiates linguistics from traditional grammar, emphasizing descriptive (what is said) over prescriptive (what should be said) approaches.
  • Key aspects of language include sound patterns (phonology), word patterns (morphology and syntax), and meaning patterns (semantics).
  • Language use, including conversation (pragmatics), social variation, and change (historical linguistics), along with its connections to other disciplines are also explored.
  • The book covers the historical development of linguistics via discussions of important figures like Sir William Jones and Ferdinand de Saussure.
  • It discusses the relationship between language and mind (psycholinguistics), and the impact of social factors on language (sociolinguistics).
  • A key topic within the book is language change, including factors like natural tendencies, the influence of other languages, and the interaction between social and linguistic influences.
  • The book touches on the study of the different types of language from a typological perspective. This includes morphological(internal) as well as Areal features.
  • It explores how language is used, and how speakers of various kinds are related and interact.
  • It discusses how language is structured.
  • It touches on the subject of pragmatics and speech act theory.
  • The book examines the role of language with in social and cultural contexts.
  • Discussion of language as a game.

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