Podcast
Questions and Answers
What does communication encompass beyond language?
What does communication encompass beyond language?
Expressive language primarily involves what type of activities?
Expressive language primarily involves what type of activities?
Which subfield focuses on the structure and rules of words?
Which subfield focuses on the structure and rules of words?
What does pragmatics involve in the context of language?
What does pragmatics involve in the context of language?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following examples represents morphology?
Which of the following examples represents morphology?
Signup and view all the answers
What is phonetics concerned with?
What is phonetics concerned with?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the primary focus of semantics?
What is the primary focus of semantics?
Signup and view all the answers
In which subfield of language do phonotactic constraints apply?
In which subfield of language do phonotactic constraints apply?
Signup and view all the answers
Which characteristic of human speech refers to the ability for producers and receivers to recognize the message?
Which characteristic of human speech refers to the ability for producers and receivers to recognize the message?
Signup and view all the answers
What term describes the lack of relationship between sounds and their meanings in human speech?
What term describes the lack of relationship between sounds and their meanings in human speech?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following characteristics of human speech allows for unlimited exchanges of communication regardless of age or gender?
Which of the following characteristics of human speech allows for unlimited exchanges of communication regardless of age or gender?
Signup and view all the answers
What characteristic enables the combination of sounds in an infinite number of arrangements to form words and sentences?
What characteristic enables the combination of sounds in an infinite number of arrangements to form words and sentences?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following best describes the characteristic of 'prevarication' in human speech?
Which of the following best describes the characteristic of 'prevarication' in human speech?
Signup and view all the answers
What does 'learnability' in the context of human speech refer to?
What does 'learnability' in the context of human speech refer to?
Signup and view all the answers
Which characteristic of human speech allows communication about events or objects that are not present in time or space?
Which characteristic of human speech allows communication about events or objects that are not present in time or space?
Signup and view all the answers
What does 'recursion' in the characteristics of human speech refer to?
What does 'recursion' in the characteristics of human speech refer to?
Signup and view all the answers
Flashcards
Communication
Communication
The process of sending and receiving information, ideas, feelings, or messages. This includes language but also encompasses nonverbal cues, gestures, and other forms of communication.
Language
Language
A structured system of abstract symbols organized according to rules, shared by a group of people for communication. All human languages share common features but differ in vocabulary and grammar.
Expressive Language
Expressive Language
The ability to produce language through speaking, writing, texting, or other forms of expression.
Receptive Language
Receptive Language
Signup and view all the flashcards
Pragmatics
Pragmatics
Signup and view all the flashcards
Semantics
Semantics
Signup and view all the flashcards
Syntax
Syntax
Signup and view all the flashcards
Morphology
Morphology
Signup and view all the flashcards
Speech
Speech
Signup and view all the flashcards
Vocal-Auditory Channel
Vocal-Auditory Channel
Signup and view all the flashcards
Rapid Fading
Rapid Fading
Signup and view all the flashcards
Displacement
Displacement
Signup and view all the flashcards
Discreteness
Discreteness
Signup and view all the flashcards
Productivity
Productivity
Signup and view all the flashcards
Prevarication
Prevarication
Signup and view all the flashcards
Study Notes
Communication vs. Language
- Communication is the process of sending and receiving information, ideas, feelings, and messages.
- Language is a part of communication, but communication encompasses more than just language.
- Language is a system of abstract symbols with organized rules common to all human languages.
- All languages share a finite set of components, but each language utilizes a unique subset.
- Language comprehension and expression are inherent human abilities.
Expressive vs. Receptive Language
- Expressive language involves speaking, writing, texting, or other outward expressions of language.
- Receptive language entails processing information and ideas when interacting with others.
Pragmatics
- Pragmatics is the social use of language to build and maintain relationships.
- Examples include the polite ways to end a phone call.
Semantics
- Semantics focuses on the meaning behind words and how vocabulary constructs ideas through word relationships.
- An example of semantics is the creation of "social distancing" – combining existing words to create a new meaning.
Syntax
- Syntax involves the use of grammar and structural rules to link words.
- An example of syntax is a sentence with proper structure but lacking meaning, "Colorless green ideas sleep furiously".
Morphology
- Morphology focuses on the forms and meanings of morphemes (units of meaning that create words).
- Examples include adding "-ish" to adjectives to create nuanced meanings (e.g., "blue-ish," "neat-ish").
Subfields of Language
- Phonology: This deals with the use of sounds, considering phonotactic constraints (how sounds combine) and phonological rules (how sounds are pronounced). An example is "p" having a puff of air in certain words ("pie") but not others ("spy").
- Phonetics: This involves the articulation, perception, and acoustic properties of speech sounds. For example, the "t" sound in "wider" might be articulated differently than the "t" in "toe".
Speech vs. Language
- Speech is the spoken form of language.
- Speech and language are not interchangeable.
- Speech can exist without language, as seen by echolalia in young children.
- Language exists independently of speech, seen in sign language.
Characteristics of Human Speech
- Hockett's "13 design features" are a set of human speech characteristics, but many have been disputed since their inception.
- Some characteristics of human speech are shared with other species.
Speech Chain Model
- This model, although not outlined in detail here, describes the chain that produces and transmits speech through processes of production, transmission and perception.
Table 2: Characteristics Shared with Other Species or Limited/Rare in Humans
-
Interchangeability: Unlimited communication exchange, regardless of age or gender.
-
Semanticity and Indexicality: Use of background knowledge and context for communicating meaning.
-
Productivity: Ability to creatively combine symbols for communication.
-
Displacement: Communicating about events that are not present in time or place.
-
Limited or Rare in Humans (but potentially shared with other species):
- Duality of Patterning: The infinite possibilities of sound combinations for creating words and sentences.
- Recursion: Complex and embedded word arrangements, allowing for phrases that do not follow standard rules.
- Prevarication: Using language to deceive or for artistic expressions.
- Reflexivity: Using language to talk about language.
- Learnability: Acquiring language through environmental, cognitive, and social interactions.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Description
Explore the distinctions between communication and language, including their components and functions. This quiz covers expressive vs. receptive language, pragmatics, and semantics. Test your understanding of how language shapes our interactions and relationships.
