Ling/Psyc 370B, Introduction to Linguistics Lecture #2

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Questions and Answers

Which of the following represents a syntactic word order that is less common in languages?

VSO

VOS (correct)

SOV

SVO

What is the main distinction between semantics and syntax?

Semantics includes word order, while syntax focuses on meaning.

Semantics deals with meaning, while syntax deals with structure. (correct)

Semantics is concerned with phonetics, whereas syntax is about sentence formation.

Semantics applies only to spoken language, while syntax applies to written language.

Which thematic role refers to the entity that receives something in a sentence?

Theme

Agent

Beneficiary

Recipient (correct)

In the context of syntactic ambiguity, which example illustrates this concept effectively?

I saw the man with the binoculars. Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary focus of pragmatics in language study?

Contextual use of language. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of inflectional morphemes in a language?

To add grammatical properties Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of a derivational morpheme?

un- Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of applying the inflectional morpheme '-s' to the noun 'book'?

Books Signup and view all the answers

In the word 'preventable', which morpheme serves as a prefix?

pre- Signup and view all the answers

What do morphological rules allow speakers to do?

Derive new words using affixes Signup and view all the answers

What does the study of syntax primarily focus on?

The structure and formation of sentences Signup and view all the answers

Which morphological process applies when the base word 'walk' becomes 'walking'?

Inflection Signup and view all the answers

What is an essential characteristic of derivational morphemes?

They change the meaning or category of a word Signup and view all the answers

What type of morpheme is '-est' in the adjective 'smartest'?

Inflectional Signup and view all the answers

In what way do morphological rules impact languages like Turkish?

They require complex inflectional systems Signup and view all the answers

What role do phonotactics play in language acquisition for infants?

They allow infants to identify word boundaries in speech. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes a free morpheme?

A base word that contains meaning when it stands alone. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of function words in a sentence?

To create syntactic structure. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following examples represents a bound morpheme?

un- Signup and view all the answers

What type of morpheme is represented by the word 'computer'?

Free morpheme Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a category of content words?

Conjunctions Signup and view all the answers

How do infants utilize statistical learning in language processing?

They ascertain patterns in sound combinations. Signup and view all the answers

Identify an example of a function word.

and Signup and view all the answers

What type of grammatical component does the word 'to' represent?

Function word Signup and view all the answers

Which statement correctly describes a morpheme?

Morphemes are the smallest units of meaning in a language. Signup and view all the answers

What is the key distinction between competence and performance in language?

Competence is about knowledge of language structure, while performance is about the application of that knowledge. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best defines recursion in language?

The nesting of related linguistic elements or structures within one another. Signup and view all the answers

What role do morphemes play in language?

They represent the smallest units of meaning in a language. Signup and view all the answers

In the context of phonology, how many basic types of hand configurations are recognized?

19 different shapes or manual configurations. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement about signed languages is accurate?

They use visual-manual modality and have their own grammar and phonology. Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect of pragmatics is influenced by extralinguistic circumstances?

Socialization and identity. Signup and view all the answers

What is true about the structures that are considered ungrammatical?

Some structures may seem ungrammatical but can still be processed by speakers. Signup and view all the answers

How many phonemes are generally recognized in relation to signed languages?

Approximately 20 distinct phonological features. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following concepts does NOT apply to signed languages?

They rely on auditory features for communication. Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'phonology' relate to in the context of signed languages?

The discrete configurations of manual gestures and their articulation. Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'phoneme' refer to in linguistics?

The smallest unit of language that changes the meaning of a word Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the role of phonotactics in linguistics?

Rules concerning the possible combinations of sounds in a language Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of language does 'morphology' primarily study?

The structure and formation of words Signup and view all the answers

In semantics, which of the following is considered the correct understanding of a word's meaning?

The meaning of a word can shift based on context and usage Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a characteristic of pragmatics within linguistic study?

How context influences the interpretation of language Signup and view all the answers

What is an allophone in the context of phonetics?

A sound that varies slightly but represents the same phoneme Signup and view all the answers

What concept exemplifies a 'minimal pair' in phonetics?

Two words that vary by only one phoneme and have different meanings Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best defines 'syntax' in the study of linguistics?

The set of rules that governs sentence structure Signup and view all the answers

What type of flexibility does word order have in language syntax?

It varies significantly depending on the syntactic rules of individual languages. Signup and view all the answers

Which concept best explains why the sentence 'Sherlock saw the man using binoculars' could have different meanings?

Syntactic structure allows for multiple interpretations. Signup and view all the answers

In semantics, which thematic role is typically associated with the entity that performs the action?

Agent Signup and view all the answers

How does pragmatics primarily contribute to understanding language use?

By focusing on the context and intended meaning of communication. Signup and view all the answers

Within syntax, which word order represents the least common structure in languages?

OVS (Object-Verb-Subject) Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the smallest unit of sound that can change the meaning of a word?

Phoneme Signup and view all the answers

Which term describes words that vary by a single phoneme?

Minimal pairs Signup and view all the answers

Which concept refers to the permissible combinations of phonemes in a given language?

Phonotactics Signup and view all the answers

What is the study of the meaning of words and sentences known as?

Semantics Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a variant form of a phoneme in phonology?

Allophone Signup and view all the answers

What describes the different levels of language structure, including phonetics, morphology, syntax, semantics, and pragmatics?

Linguistic hierarchy Signup and view all the answers

Which type of morpheme is used to create different forms of the same word, such as changing 'run' to 'running'?

Inflectional morpheme Signup and view all the answers

In which linguistic level do speakers utilize context and social factors to convey meaning beyond the literal interpretation?

Pragmatics Signup and view all the answers

What function do inflectional morphemes primarily serve in language?

They specify grammatical properties. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following correctly identifies the change in meaning caused by a derivational morpheme?

heat to reheat Signup and view all the answers

In the word 'preventable', what is the function of the suffix '-able'?

To denote potentiality. Signup and view all the answers

Which example illustrates the concept of morphological rules in word formation?

Run to running Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of syntax in language structure?

To create relationships between words in sentences. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes an example of bound morphemes?

Un- Signup and view all the answers

How do inflectional morphemes affect nouns in English?

They indicate pluralization or possession. Signup and view all the answers

What type of morpheme is 'un-' in the word 'untouchable'?

Bound morpheme Signup and view all the answers

Which statement about semantics is accurate?

It deals with the meaning of words and sentences. Signup and view all the answers

In which context would morphological variations be considered crucial?

When analyzing the meaning of morphemes in different languages. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a function of phonotactics in language acquisition?

Guiding grammatical usage Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes free morphemes from bound morphemes?

Bound morphemes cannot function independently. Signup and view all the answers

How does pragmatics differ from the study of syntax?

Pragmatics considers the context of language use. Signup and view all the answers

Which type of morpheme includes words like 'hat' and 'computer'?

Content words Signup and view all the answers

In morphological analysis, which of the following would be considered a function word?

The Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of statistical learning in phonotactics as used by infants?

Predicting sound sequences Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following correctly describes a content word?

It denotes semantic components. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement correctly characterizes a bound morpheme?

It must be attached to a base word. Signup and view all the answers

What role do function words play in the structure of a sentence?

They establish grammatical relationships. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best illustrates the concept of morphemes in language?

The sound 's' in 'dogs', indicating plural Signup and view all the answers

What is the main significance of recursion in language?

It creates an infinite number of sentences through nesting. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following accurately describes a characteristic of phonology as it relates to signed languages?

Includes manual configurations and movements specific to articulation. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best differentiates competence from performance in language?

Competence involves knowledge of language structure, while performance is the application of that knowledge. Signup and view all the answers

In the context of morphology, what characterizes signed languages?

They feature systematic morphemes that serve similar functions as in spoken languages. Signup and view all the answers

What is primarily examined within the field of pragmatics?

The influence of context on message interpretation. Signup and view all the answers

Which of these describes the limitations of performance in language usage?

It can exhibit ungrammatical structures despite underlying competence. Signup and view all the answers

In the study of phonetics, what is a key element related to the production of signed languages?

The visual-manual modality acts as the articulators. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a component of the phonology associated with signed languages?

Phonotactic rules based on sound. Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of language does morphology primarily focus on?

The structure and formation of words. Signup and view all the answers

How do extralinguistic circumstances affect the interpretation of messages?

They shape the communicative context and individual understanding. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Linguistic Principles

This course covers linguistic principles, including the structure and rules of language.
The syllabus, introduction to linguistics, and research paper reading comprise week one.
Topics will include linguistic concepts, human language, and various levels of language.
This course will examine human language and various levels of language, including phonetics and phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, pragmatics, competence vs. performance, and creativity in language.

Human Language

Human language is species-specific (only humans possess it) and species-general (possessed by all humans).
All humans use language.

What is Linguistics?

Linguistics is the study of language structure and rules.
Speaking a language feels as natural as breathing for native speakers.
Language users have an intuitive understanding of language, often without explicit awareness.
Language operates on multiple levels (e.g., phonetics, morphology). This understanding is grounded in linguistic competence, the underlying knowledge of language.

What are these Levels?

Levels of language include phonetics and phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, and pragmatics.
Phonetics & Phonology: the study of acoustic details and articulation. The International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) represents sounds, documented and possible sounds from all languages, and universal use. Other subtopics include phonemes (smallest language units that impact meaning), minimal pairs (differing by one sound), allophones (variants), and phonotactics (permissible patterns of sounds). Phonotactics are specific patterns of sounds that are acceptable within a language.
Morphology: the study of word formation and grammatical categories. Concepts include morphemes, free morphemes (words), content words (semantics), and bound morphemes (affixes). Inflectional morphemes alter grammatical properties, while derivational morphemes change word meaning.
Syntax: the study of sentence formation from grammatical rules and processes. Word order varies based on language, and an example was given contrasting SVO (English) and other structures (e.g., SOV, VSO). Syntactic ambiguity concerns when a sentence can be interpreted in multiple ways.
Semantics: the study of logic and meaning in words, phrases, or sentences. Semantic meanings differentiate from syntax. Themes within the theory of semantics include syntactic objects, thematic roles (agent, patient, recipient), and various related properties.
Pragmatics: the study of language use in context. Extralinguistic factors (beliefs, intentions, identity, and socialization) influence message interpretation. Linguistic competence is examined in this field, along with the application of that competence within language use as performance.

Competence vs Performance

Competence: knowledge of language structure.
Performance: application of language knowledge.
Ungrammatical constructions can be hard to process or even unsalvageable. Performance relies upon competence, and can be affected by complex cognitive processes like working memory.

Language is Productive/Recursive

Languages have an infinite number of sentences despite a finite collection of words.
Linguistic elements can repeat and nest within one another, resulting in infinitely elaborate constructions. Recursion is a critical component of this productivity.

What About Signed Languages?

Signed languages are distinct but complete language systems following linguistic principles, like spoken languages.
They share the same properties of productivity, recursion, and morphological systems, as they are natural languages.

Phonology (Signed Languages)

Signed languages involve articulations such as hand shapes (19 possibilities), location, and movements (24 possibilities).
These discrete characteristics also contribute to minimal pairs. For example, changing the handshape on a sign leads to a different meaning or meaning aspect.

Morphology (Signed Languages)

Nouns and verbs can transform into one another via different movements.
Grammatical aspects vary by the individual to whom the message is addressed.

Syntax (Signed Languages)

Signed languages possess word order (e.g., SVO).
Word order flexibility exists, as demonstrated with the example of ASL and English statements.

Productivity (Signed Languages)

New signed messages are constantly created from limited movements. This capacity underlines the productive nature of signed language.

Just like Spoken Language

Signed languages have various regional variations (dialects, registers, and accents).
Poetic traditions, linguistic slips of the hand like tongue slips, and similar elements exist.

Reading Research Papers

Understanding research papers is important. Understanding methodologies, research questions, and the presentation of findings are crucial.

Types of Articles

Papers include primary sources, review papers, and book chapters.
Primary sources contain unique information (peer-reviewed scholarly articles).
Review papers summarize multiple studies within a given topic.
Book chapters focus on a topic within a selected theme but are not always peer-reviewed.

Article Sections

Abstract, Introduction/background, Methods, Results, Discussion, and Conclusion are typical sections.
The Abstract, while succinct (150-500 words), provides key information about background, experiment, method, participants, stimuli, procedures, results, and conclusions.
The Introduction/background introduces the topic, prior research context, research questions, and hypotheses.
Method sections detail participant populations, stimuli/materials used, procedures for data collection, and overall testing conditions. This includes consideration of any controls or variables utilized.
Results present data using statistical approaches without interpretation of the results. Reports of findings should include specific statistics.
The Discussion integrates the results within the broader theoretical/experimental contexts, relating findings to previous literature.
Conclusions summarize, integrating the paper's implications and direction for future research.

Woodward et al. (2016)

The study investigates how toddlers acquire meanings and understand novel words across multiple ambiguous references.
The participants, stimuli, methodology, results, and related discussions are central to the study.

Specific research paper examples and elements include:

Abstract
Introduction/background
Methods (participants, stimuli, procedure)
Results (findings, statistics)
Discussion (interpretation of results, relationship to previous literature, future directions)
Conclusion (summary, implications)

Studying That Suits You

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Description

This quiz covers the fundamental principles of linguistics, including the structure, rules, and levels of language. Through various linguistic concepts, it explores phonetics, morphology, syntax, semantics, and the distinctive features of human language. Test your understanding of these essential topics in language study.