EAS 204: Understanding Language Quiz

Language is a system of arbitrary vocal symbols unique to humans, while animal communication consists of signals like barking and grunts.

Human language is characterized by being a system of arbitrary symbols used for communication, which reflects the culture of society.

According to G. Trager, the primary function of language is to facilitate interaction among members of a society through a system of symbols.

<p>Michael Corballis suggests that language can act as a fortress that prevents communication by creating barriers among people with different languages.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The theory implies that language originated as a unique institution for human interaction that distinguishes people from animals.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>R.A. Hall characterizes language as an institution that allows humans to communicate through habitually used arbitrary symbols.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>It means that language consists of various symbols that represent meanings used for communication among humans.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>It's important to differentiate them because while communication can occur through various signals, language is a complex system exclusive to humans.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The account is considered unreliable because the word 'bekos' could simply be an imitation of goat cries, rather than evidence of an original language.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>One of the domains is the social interaction source.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The divine source theory suggests that language was directly created by a divine being, as seen in religious traditions.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The Bow-Wow theory posits that language originated from humans imitating natural sounds.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The physical adaptation source suggests that human anatomical features evolved to facilitate speech.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Herodotus recounts Psammetichus's experiment with two isolated newborns who reportedly spoke the Phrygian word for 'bread'.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The supernatural theory suggests that language is a gift from a divine source, as depicted in various religious narratives.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>It suggests that language evolved from the imitation of natural sounds made by animals and other environmental noises.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Psammetichus concluded that Phrygian must be the original language after the infants spoke that word.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>It proposes that the pronunciation of words in many languages resembles the sounds they describe, as seen in words like 'Krokrokɔkɔ' for the turkey.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>They're based on emotional noises and outcries from experiences like pain, anger, and joy.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>It situates the development of language within social groups, necessitating communication for cooperation and safety.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The Akan name for crow is 'Kwaakwaadabi', reflecting the sounds it produces.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>They are seen as examples of sounds that arise from human emotional responses and possibly contributed to the origins of speech.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Because they are not normally used in regular speech production and arise spontaneously from feelings.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Groups require communication for social organization and cooperation, driving the need for a shared language.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The Yo-he-ho theory focuses on the idea that language evolved from sounds produced during coordinated physical efforts involving groups of early humans.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The physical adaptation source suggests that distinct anatomical features like teeth, lips, and tongues allow humans to produce a diverse range of sounds, facilitating language development.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Fore limbs, originally used for walking, were repurposed for communication through gestures after humans developed the ability to walk upright.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Manual gestures were a precursor to language development, serving as the primary means of communication before the advent of oral forms.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Right-handedness is significant because it facilitated the manipulation of tools, suggesting that language may have developed during the tool-making age.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Teeth evolved from their original role in chewing and eating to also facilitating sound manipulation for language production.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The tool-making source implies that the lateralization of the human brain aligns with the development of language, suggesting an interconnection between tool use and communication.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The Yo-he-ho theory suggests they would have developed a set of sounds such as hums and groans to coordinate efforts while engaging in physically demanding tasks.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The primary functions are controlling motor movements for complex vocalization and object manipulation.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Humans have the inherent ability to use language.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Humans actively learn multiple languages, while animal communication is largely genetically inbuilt with little learning involved.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Arbitrariness implies that there is no inherent connection between linguistic symbols and their meanings.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Duality patterning refers to human language being composed of meaningless units at one level and meaningful units at another level.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Cultural transmission refers to the passing down of language from one culture to another.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Productivity refers to the ability to generate an infinite number of sentences using a language.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The connection is represented by the overlap of motor control for speech and tool manipulation in the left hemisphere.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Prevarication is the ability to lie with language, which is significant as it highlights the complexity and creativity inherent in human communication.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The expressive function of language conveys the speaker's feelings or attitudes, such as saying 'Wow, isn’t that beautiful!' when encountering something aesthetically pleasing.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The directive function operates by directly engaging the addressee through commands or requests, primarily aimed at causing or preventing an action.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The phatic function involves language used solely for social interaction, like greetings, and is important as it helps establish and maintain social relationships.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The poetic function focuses on the message itself for aesthetic purposes, commonly found in poetry and slogans.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The metalingual function refers to the use of language to discuss language itself, which occurs rarely in everyday discourse.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Humans can discuss future events and refer to things not present in the immediate environment, showcasing displacement.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Ordinary discourse typically serves multiple functions simultaneously, rather than being restricted to a single function.</p> Signup and view all the answers