Podcast
Questions and Answers
Which design feature of language allows users to transmit and receive messages?
Which design feature of language allows users to transmit and receive messages?
- Interchangeability
- Broadcast transmission and directional reception (correct)
- Specialization
- Rapid fading
Cultural transmission of language implies that individuals are genetically predisposed to learning specific languages.
Cultural transmission of language implies that individuals are genetically predisposed to learning specific languages.
False (B)
What design feature of language allows speakers to monitor their messages and make corrections?
What design feature of language allows speakers to monitor their messages and make corrections?
Feedback
The design feature of ___________ refers to the absence of a logical relationship between linguistic signals and what they represent.
The design feature of ___________ refers to the absence of a logical relationship between linguistic signals and what they represent.
Match each design feature of language with its correct description:
Match each design feature of language with its correct description:
Which of the following is true about 'iconic signs'?
Which of the following is true about 'iconic signs'?
Onomatopoeia demonstrates perfect arbitrariness in signal form.
Onomatopoeia demonstrates perfect arbitrariness in signal form.
Briefly describe 'discreteness' as a design feature of language.
Briefly describe 'discreteness' as a design feature of language.
The ability to produce and understand messages that have never been expressed before is known as ______________.
The ability to produce and understand messages that have never been expressed before is known as ______________.
Which of the following best describes 'duality of patterning' in language?
Which of the following best describes 'duality of patterning' in language?
According to Charles Hockett, what is a key characteristic that distinguishes human language from animal communication systems?
According to Charles Hockett, what is a key characteristic that distinguishes human language from animal communication systems?
If a communication system lacks specialization, it means that the signals always have a secondary, non-communicative purpose.
If a communication system lacks specialization, it means that the signals always have a secondary, non-communicative purpose.
Define 'interchangeability' as it pertains to the design features of language.
Define 'interchangeability' as it pertains to the design features of language.
The property of 'rapid fading' in human language ensures that speech signals _____________ to make way for new messages.
The property of 'rapid fading' in human language ensures that speech signals _____________ to make way for new messages.
Which feature accounts for the regional variation in terms like 'pop' vs. 'soda'?
Which feature accounts for the regional variation in terms like 'pop' vs. 'soda'?
Animals that use gestures for communication are demonstrating arbitrariness.
Animals that use gestures for communication are demonstrating arbitrariness.
In the context of language design features, what does 'learnability' refer to?
In the context of language design features, what does 'learnability' refer to?
The property of language which allows speakers to lie or be deceptive is known as _________.
The property of language which allows speakers to lie or be deceptive is known as _________.
Match the property with the description:
Match the property with the description:
Which of the following represents an example of 'cultural transmission'?
Which of the following represents an example of 'cultural transmission'?
Flashcards
Design features of language
Design features of language
Properties that Hockett argued characterized human language, distinguishing it from animal communication.
Vocal-auditory channel
Vocal-auditory channel
Sounds are produced vocally (not like crickets) and received auditorily (unlike bees).
Broadcast transmission
Broadcast transmission
Speech sounds move out in all directions, and communicators need not see each other.
Rapid Fading
Rapid Fading
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Interchangeability
Interchangeability
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Feedback
Feedback
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Specialization
Specialization
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Semanticity
Semanticity
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Arbitrariness
Arbitrariness
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Iconicity
Iconicity
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Onomatopoeia
Onomatopoeia
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Discreteness
Discreteness
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Cultural Transmission
Cultural Transmission
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Prevarication
Prevarication
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Reflexiveness
Reflexiveness
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Learnability
Learnability
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Displacement
Displacement
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Productivity (Creativity)
Productivity (Creativity)
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Duality of Patterning
Duality of Patterning
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Study Notes
- The material defines the design features of language which seeks to differentiate language from general communication.
- It prompts consideration of the distinction between language and communication and whether animals possess language.
Design Features of Language
- Charles Hockett (1916-2000) defined the design features of language.
- These features are present in every language with reliable information and are lacking in animal communication systems.
Properties Characterizing Human Language
- Vocal-auditory channel: Animal sounds may not be vocal or received auditorily.
- Broadcast transmission and directional reception: Speech sounds move in all directions, so senders, and receivers do not need to see each other.
- Rapid Fading: Speech signals disappear quickly to allow new messages.
- Interchangeability: Participants can be both transmitters and receivers.
- Feedback: Speakers hear themselves and can monitor/correct their messages.
- Specialization: Human speech is solely for communication.
- Semanticity: Communication signals have meaning.
- Arbitrariness: There's no logical connection between signals and their meaning.
- Regional Arbitrariness: The terms for a "sugary, carbonated beverage" and a summer home are different based on the US and Canada region.
- Iconicity: Arbitrary signs contrast with iconic signs that resemble what they signify.
- Sign languages tend to be highly iconic but also display arbitrariness.
- Onomatopoeia: These are iconic language signals, but there's still arbitrariness in the signal form.
- Discreteness: Messages are built from smaller parts.
- Cultural Transmission: Language is passed through interaction and "tradition."
- People aren't genetically predisposed to learn a specific language.
- The Ortolan Bunting in Germany has regional song dialects.
- Prevarication: Messages can be false, deceptive, or meaningless.
- Reflexiveness: Humans use language to discuss language itself.
- Learnability: Any human speaker can learn any human language.
- Displacement: Enables communication about things not present in space and time.
- Productivity (Creativity): Enables producing/understanding messages never expressed before, introducing new expressions and meanings.
- Duality of Patterning: Human language has levels of meaningless sounds and meaningful parts.
- Each level has its own patterns for creating combinations.
- Sounds like /t/, /ej/, /k/ are meaningless alone but form words like "take" or "Kate".
- Sounds build words.
- Duality of patterning is when a limited number of linguistic units make up entities on another level. - Small - meaningless - Large - meaningful
- Sounds such as [r] [u] [t] [b] [ej] [g] [É™] are meaningless on their own.
- The combination of those sounds creates the meaning of the word rutabaga.
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