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Questions and Answers
What term refers to the abstract knowledge of language, including vocabulary and grammatical rules?
What term refers to the abstract knowledge of language, including vocabulary and grammatical rules?
Who is acknowledged as the father of modern linguistics associated with structuralism?
Who is acknowledged as the father of modern linguistics associated with structuralism?
What differentiates performance from competence in language usage?
What differentiates performance from competence in language usage?
Which of the following best defines a pidgin language?
Which of the following best defines a pidgin language?
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What does ‘idiolect’ refer to in language studies?
What does ‘idiolect’ refer to in language studies?
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Which description best fits the term ‘argot’?
Which description best fits the term ‘argot’?
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Which statement about creole languages is correct?
Which statement about creole languages is correct?
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What is a defining feature of a dialect?
What is a defining feature of a dialect?
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What does a lexeme represent in linguistics?
What does a lexeme represent in linguistics?
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Which area of linguistics focuses on the study of the structure of words?
Which area of linguistics focuses on the study of the structure of words?
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Which term refers to the compilation of dictionaries?
Which term refers to the compilation of dictionaries?
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What does graphology primarily deal with?
What does graphology primarily deal with?
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In linguistics, what does syntax study?
In linguistics, what does syntax study?
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How do social factors influence language use?
How do social factors influence language use?
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What is prosody in the context of language?
What is prosody in the context of language?
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What aspect does lexicology study?
What aspect does lexicology study?
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What describes the relationship between individual words that can substitute in a sentence?
What describes the relationship between individual words that can substitute in a sentence?
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Which of the following concepts was introduced by Noam Chomsky in the study of language?
Which of the following concepts was introduced by Noam Chomsky in the study of language?
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What was a criticism Chomsky had regarding previous linguistic theories?
What was a criticism Chomsky had regarding previous linguistic theories?
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Which of these best addresses the meaning derived from utterances in linguistics?
Which of these best addresses the meaning derived from utterances in linguistics?
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What is meant by 'deep structure' in transformational grammar?
What is meant by 'deep structure' in transformational grammar?
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What is a common claim regarding children's language acquisition according to behavioral linguistics?
What is a common claim regarding children's language acquisition according to behavioral linguistics?
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In the context of American structuralism, what did Leonard Bloomfield focus on?
In the context of American structuralism, what did Leonard Bloomfield focus on?
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Which of the following statements about the semiotic triangle is accurate?
Which of the following statements about the semiotic triangle is accurate?
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What does 'arbitrariness' in language refer to?
What does 'arbitrariness' in language refer to?
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Which branch of linguistics focuses on the internal structure of words?
Which branch of linguistics focuses on the internal structure of words?
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What distinguishes synchronic linguistics from diachronic linguistics?
What distinguishes synchronic linguistics from diachronic linguistics?
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Which statement best describes the role of pragmatics in linguistics?
Which statement best describes the role of pragmatics in linguistics?
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Which type of linguistics applies theoretical knowledge to practical applications?
Which type of linguistics applies theoretical knowledge to practical applications?
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How does psycholinguistics differ from neurolinguistics?
How does psycholinguistics differ from neurolinguistics?
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Which of the following describes a key aspect of temporal variation in language?
Which of the following describes a key aspect of temporal variation in language?
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Which linguistic branch is primarily concerned with the sounds of language?
Which linguistic branch is primarily concerned with the sounds of language?
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Which of the following best describes displacement in human language?
Which of the following best describes displacement in human language?
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What characterizes the arbitrariness of language?
What characterizes the arbitrariness of language?
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In what way does cultural transmission apply to language?
In what way does cultural transmission apply to language?
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Which of the following features distinguishes human language from animal communication?
Which of the following features distinguishes human language from animal communication?
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What does productivity in language refer to?
What does productivity in language refer to?
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What does discreetness in language signify?
What does discreetness in language signify?
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Which statement describes duality in language?
Which statement describes duality in language?
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What is meant by reciprocity in the context of language?
What is meant by reciprocity in the context of language?
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What is the focus of sociolinguistics?
What is the focus of sociolinguistics?
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What is the primary goal of applied linguistics?
What is the primary goal of applied linguistics?
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The 'divine source' theory suggests that language originated from:
The 'divine source' theory suggests that language originated from:
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Which of these is NOT mentioned as a possible origin of language?
Which of these is NOT mentioned as a possible origin of language?
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According to the 'yo-heave-ho' theory, early language consisted of:
According to the 'yo-heave-ho' theory, early language consisted of:
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What is a key characteristic of body language, as it relates to the oral-gesture theory of language origins?
What is a key characteristic of body language, as it relates to the oral-gesture theory of language origins?
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What is 'dictionary blocking' in the context of language properties?
What is 'dictionary blocking' in the context of language properties?
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Which of these features is NOT considered a physiological adaptation that facilitated language development?
Which of these features is NOT considered a physiological adaptation that facilitated language development?
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What is the difference between 'specifically communicative' and 'unintentionally informative' signals?
What is the difference between 'specifically communicative' and 'unintentionally informative' signals?
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Study Notes
Definition of Language
- Language is a system of signs used for communication.
- Ferdinand de Saussure is considered the father of modern linguistics, emphasizing language as an organized system.
- La langue refers to the abstract knowledge of a language (vocabulary, grammar rules).
- Parole represents the actual act of speaking or writing, using the abstract knowledge.
- Noam Chomsky proposed generative-transformational grammar, differentiating between competence (similar to la langue) and performance (similar to parole). A sentence must be grammatically correct.
- Language is biologically linked to the ability to produce speech.
- Dialects are varieties of a language distinguished by phonology, grammar, and vocabulary, often used by geographically or socially distinct groups.
- Accents distinguish varieties by pronunciation, intonation, etc.
- Idiolect is an individual’s unique language style, while ethnolect is the language of an ethnic group.
- Pidgins are simplified languages created from contact of different languages, typically lacking formalized grammar, and used mainly for communication.
- Creole languages evolve from pidgins, having native speakers and more complex grammatical structures.
Language Structure
- Lexicon encompasses vocabulary and grammar.
- Lexis is the total collection of words in a language.
- A lexeme represents an abstract unit of morphological analysis.
- Lexicology is the study of words, their nature, and meanings (relationships, vocabulary).
- Lexicography is the compilation of dictionaries.
Language Transmission
- Sign languages are independent languages with distinct systems.
- Graphology encompasses writing systems (e.g., visual signs, punctuation) influencing how language is written.
- Phonology pertains to the sound system of language—the systematic organization of sounds.
Language Use
- Personal variation in language use is affected by factors like memory, personality, and social background.
- Social factors (social class, occupation) influence language use.
- Geographic factors (geographical regions) affect language distinctions.
- Cultural conventions influence language use.
- Arbitrary relationships exist between words and their meaning (i.e., words do not inherently embody their meanings).
- Onomatopoeic words (e.g., meow) maintain some connection between word and the sound they resemble.
Language Structure (CORE)
- Morphology examines the internal structure of words.
- Allomorphs are forms of a morpheme that are pronounced differently, but have the same meaning.
- Morphemes are the smallest meaningful units in a language.
- Affixes (prefixes, suffixes) modify the meanings of words.
- Some affixes can be derivational (modifying word/category), whereas others are inflectional (modifying grammatical function of a word).
- Derivational morphology involves word formation, while inflectional morphology marks grammatical changes for a word.
Language Properties
- Fixed reference means that animal signals are not learned and are limited to specific situations.
- Arbitrariness indicates there is no inherent connection between a word and its meaning;
- Productivity of language is demonstrated by the ability of language users to create new utterances.
- Cultural transmission means that language is learned and passed down through generations.
- Discreteness refers to distinct sounds in speech and discrete elements of language.
- Duality/double articulation indicates that language uses two levels: sounds without meaning and combinations of sounds that have meaning.
Aspects of Language Change
- Language use and conventions are affected by situational context.
- Speech acts are the functions an utterance can achieve (asking, stating, ordering, commanding).
- Direct speech acts have a direct meaning while indirect have a meaning beyond the literal.
- Deictic expressions depend on context for their meaning.
- Presuppositions are assumptions the speaker makes about what the listener knows.
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Description
Explore the fundamental concepts of language, including the distinctions between la langue and parole, as well as key theories from renowned linguists like Ferdinand de Saussure and Noam Chomsky. This quiz examines language's structure, dialects, accents, and unique styles of communication.
