Descriptive Linguistics Quiz

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Questions and Answers

Which of the following best describes descriptive linguistics?

A study of how language is actually used (correct)
A study of language structure
A study of how language should be used
A study of how language was used in the past

What is the main goal of descriptive linguistics?

To objectively analyze and describe how language is actually used (correct)
To determine the grammatical rules of a language
To prescribe how language should be used
To describe reality with preconceived ideas

What is the difference between descriptive and prescriptive linguistics?

Prescriptive linguistics focuses on predetermined grammatical rules, while descriptive linguistics focuses on how people actually use language (correct)
Descriptive linguistics focuses on predetermined grammatical rules, while prescriptive linguistics focuses on how people actually use language
Prescriptive linguistics studies what a language is like, while descriptive linguistics declares what a language should be like
Descriptive linguistics is found in education and publishing, while prescriptive linguistics is found in everyday communication

What is the structural approach to language in modern descriptive linguistics?

A focus on analyzing and describing language structure (B) Signup and view all the answers

What are some methods used in descriptive linguistics to describe a language?

Basic data collection (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of a difference between descriptive and prescriptive grammar?

Fewer than vs less than (D) Signup and view all the answers

Who is considered the most well-known scholar of the descriptive linguistic tradition in a Sanskrit community in northern India?

Pāṇini (C) Signup and view all the answers

When did the description of modern European languages begin?

1586 (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the first critical step of language description?

Collecting data (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is schedule controlled elicitation?

Having a questionnaire of material to elicit to individuals and asking the questions in a certain order according to a schedule (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between a descriptive grammarian and a prescriptive grammarian?

Prescriptive grammarians analyze the rules and conventions behind statements to determine which statement is correct, while descriptive grammarians believe that both statements are equally valid as long as the meaning behind the statement can be understood (B) Signup and view all the answers

When did linguistic description as a discipline really take off?

At the end of the 19th century with the Structuralist revolution (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a type of analysis controlled elicitation discussed in the text?

Schedule-based elicitation (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of building a corpus in linguistic research?

To test hypotheses about a language (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a goal of linguistic description according to the text?

Developing generalized theory of lexicology (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the focus of phonology in linguistics?

The function and interpretation of sound in language (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between schedule-based elicitation and analysis controlled elicitation?

Analysis controlled elicitation is not under a schedule, while schedule-based elicitation is (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of stimulus driven elicitation in linguistic research?

To document the vocabulary of a language (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the focus of lexicology in linguistics?

Collecting words and their derivations and transformations (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the standing challenge of grammar writing according to the text?

Describing the syntax of well-formed sentences of a language (C) Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Descriptive Linguistics Overview

Descriptive linguistics focuses on analyzing and documenting how languages are used in practice, emphasizing observation over rules.
The main goal is to provide an accurate representation of a language's structure and use without imposing normative rules.

Descriptive vs. Prescriptive Linguistics

Descriptive linguistics records and describes language as it exists, while prescriptive linguistics dictates how language should be used.
A descriptive grammarian observes and describes language patterns, whereas a prescriptive grammarian enforces concrete rules on language use.

Structural Approach in Modern Descriptive Linguistics

Emphasizes understanding language structures and patterns, focusing on syntax, phonetics, and morphology in their natural context.

Methods for Describing Languages

Utilizes a variety of methods including participant observation, fieldwork, and audio recordings to capture authentic language use.
Schedule controlled elicitation involves structured questionnaires to gather linguistic data from speakers.

Examples and Milestones

A key example contrasts descriptive grammar, which documents language variations, with prescriptive grammar, which may penalize those variations.
The description of modern European languages began significantly in the 19th century, marking a move towards academic linguistics.

Influential Figures and Key Developments

Panini is considered the most prominent scholar in the descriptive linguistic tradition within the Sanskrit community of northern India.
Linguistic description as a formal discipline gained substantial traction in the early to mid-20th century.

Specific Techniques and Challenges

Building a corpus in linguistic research serves to create a comprehensive database for analyzing language patterns.
Schedule-based elicitation contrasts with analysis controlled elicitation, which is focused on specific linguistic phenomena rather than broad data collection.
Stimulus driven elicitation aims to evoke natural language responses from participants, enhancing authenticity in data collection.
Phonology focuses on sound systems and their patterns, while lexicology deals with the meanings and structures of words.
The standing challenge in grammar writing is to approach the complexities and variations of human languages without oversimplifying or misrepresenting them.

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Description

Test your knowledge of descriptive linguistics with this quiz! Explore the concept of objectively analyzing language use and learn about the importance of unbiased research in the field of linguistics. Keywords: language, linguistics, description, objective analysis.