Podcast Beta
Questions and Answers
In human language, creativity is also known as ________.
productivity
Creativity in human language allows a person to utter a sentence that has not been said or heard ________.
before
Language is not a haphazard heap of individual items but follows well-defined ________.
patterns
The rules followed by people who know English do not allow certain sound ________ combinations.
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Language is regarded as an intricate network of interlinked elements where every item is held in place and given identity by ________.
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In human language, words are not linked randomly but follow specific ________.
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Consider these words: burglar, loudly, sneezed. The three possible combinations are burglar sneezed loudly, loudly sneezed the burglar, and ________ burglar loudly sneezed.
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Language design features include the ability to communicate about anything and be understood by others, known as ________.
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In human language, elements are not organized randomly but are held in place by other items, demonstrating ________.
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Language allows for the formation of well-defined patterns and structures, unlike simple lists of elements found in some animal communication systems, showcasing ________.
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Study Notes
Patterning
- Human language enforces strict rules on item combinations and their sequence.
- Each item in a sentence gains identity through its relationship with other items, establishing a pattern.
- Example sentences: "The burglar sneezed loudly," "A robber coughed softly," "That cat hissed noisily."
Structure-Dependency
- Language operations rely on understanding sentence structure, not just the count of elements.
- Example variations:
- "The penguin squawked" and "It squawked" show different structures leading to the same verb.
- Past tense alteration only applies to the correct verb position, as shown by "I opened the door" versus an incorrect formation like "the womaned open the door."
Arbitrariness
- The connection between words and their meanings is arbitrary, with no inherent link.
- Exception exists for onomatopoeic words (e.g., "quack," "bang") which mimic sounds.
Need for Learning
- Animals communicate instinctively without learning, as their communication systems are genetically programmed.
- Human language acquisition requires extensive learning and cultural transmission, as demonstrated in cases of isolation where individuals do not develop language.
- Children possess innate predispositions that are activated through environmental interaction and careful learning.
Duality
- Language features duality, comprising two layers: physical sound and meaningful units.
- Animal vocalizations are limited in variety:
- Cows produce fewer than 10 sounds,
- Chickens around 20,
- Foxes over 30,
- Dolphins and primates like gorillas and chimpanzees exhibit between 20 and 30 distinct sounds.
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Description
Test your understanding of English language patterning, which involves firm restrictions on the occurrence and order of words in a sentence. Explore how words can be substituted while maintaining the structure and meaning of a sentence.
