Language and Macro Skills Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What characterizes the acquisition of a first language?

It is learned subconsciously. (correct)

It involves personal choice.

It is typically learned later in life.

It requires formal instruction.

How does second language learning differ from first language acquisition?

Second languages are learned naturally from birth.

Second languages are always learned in the home environment.

Second languages require conscious effort and guidance. (correct)

Second languages do not have a cultural connection.

What is the relationship between 'mother tongue' and 'first language'?

Mother tongue refers to linguistic proficiency, while first language refers to cultural identity.

They are always the same and interchangeable terms.

Mother tongue is a language learned at school, while first language is learned at home.

Mother tongue is learned from parents, while first language is any language one becomes proficient in. (correct)

Which aspect is associated with micro linguistics?

Analysis of language structure and sounds. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about foreign languages is accurate?

Foreign languages are learned primarily in academic settings. Signup and view all the answers

Why is native language significant to an individual?

It influences cognitive processes and cultural identity. Signup and view all the answers

Which following option most accurately describes the process of first language acquisition?

It happens effortlessly and within early years. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of phonology in language studies?

The organization and functions of speech sounds. Signup and view all the answers

What are the main functions of speaking?

Interaction, Transaction, Performance Signup and view all the answers

Which category of reading involves quickly looking for specific information?

Scanning Signup and view all the answers

What is the first step in the writing process?

Decide the Topic Signup and view all the answers

Which type of viewing engages the viewer thoughtfully with the content?

Critical Viewing Signup and view all the answers

Which component of communicative competence focuses on producing coherent utterances?

Discourse Competence Signup and view all the answers

In the context of reading, what does fluency refer to?

The speed and accuracy of reading Signup and view all the answers

What is a key characteristic of first language acquisition?

It begins from birth until the critical period Signup and view all the answers

Which principle of communicative competence emphasizes the importance of meaningful exchanges in communication?

Meaningful Principle Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of language according to Sapir?

To communicate ideas, emotions, and desires. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the concept of language according to the Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis?

Language is an essential component of culture. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT considered one of the macro skills of language?

Interpreting Signup and view all the answers

According to Underwood, what is the key aspect of listening?

Understanding and decoding the information. Signup and view all the answers

Which step is focused specifically on understanding the speaker's perspective in effective listening?

Put yourself in the speaker's place. Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the essential components of effective speaking?

Engaging in complex cognitive and linguistic skills. Signup and view all the answers

Which form of communication is NOT included in the categories of communication skills?

Motor Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'vocal symbols' encompass in the context of language communication?

Sounds that have arbitrary conventional meanings. Signup and view all the answers

Which field of study focuses on the relationship between language and culture?

Macro Linguistics Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes prescriptive grammar from descriptive grammar?

Prescriptive grammar sets rules based on norms, while descriptive grammar describes language usage. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of neurolinguistics?

Language processing and representation in the brain Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes synchronic linguistics?

It studies language at a specific point in time. Signup and view all the answers

Which area applies linguistic theories to natural language processing?

Computational Linguistics Signup and view all the answers

How does diachronic linguistics differ from synchronic linguistics?

Diachronic linguistics examines language development through history. Signup and view all the answers

Which term refers to the study of how language is used in communication to create meaning?

Pragmatics Signup and view all the answers

What is a key characteristic of descriptive grammar?

It describes language as used by speakers without normative reference. Signup and view all the answers

How does written language primarily differ from oral language?

It is more permanent and structured. Signup and view all the answers

What primarily influences the varieties of English spoken around the world?

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

Which feature of human language involves the ability to send and receive the same language signals?

Interchangeability Signup and view all the answers

Which characteristic indicates that speech signals fade quickly and do not persist over time?

Rapid fading (transitoriness) Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of Singaporean English (Singlish) illustrates its cultural uniqueness?

Inclusion of words like 'lah' or 'leh' Signup and view all the answers

What does the feature of total feedback in human language enable?

Awareness of one's own speech Signup and view all the answers

What makes the relationship between the form of a word and its meaning arbitrary?

Arbitrariness Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following accurately describes a significant feature of British and American English?

They differ in aspects such as vocabulary and pronunciation. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Language

Language, originating from the Latin word "lingua" and French "langue," is essential for communication (Mananay and Sumaling, 2011).
It involves standardized and conventional systems of symbols, existing when individuals share common meanings for specific sounds.
Sapir defines language as a human, non-instinctive method of conveying ideas, emotions, and desires using voluntary symbols.
The Sapir‐Whorf Hypothesis states that language shapes cultural components.
Henry Sweet defines language as the expression of thoughts through speech.
A.H.Gardiner defines language as a system of signs for thoughts and feelings externally perceivable and reproducible.
Mario A.Pei and Frank Gaynor describe language as communication through vocal symbols with assigned meanings within a group or community.

Macro Skills

The four essential macro skills for communication are Listening, Speaking, Reading, and Writing (LSRW).

Language Skills

Listening, speaking, reading, and writing are essential for communication.

Listening

A foundational skill for understanding.
Involves grasping and decoding information.
"Getting meaning from what is heard" (Underwood, 2019).
10 Steps to Effective Listening (D. Schilling):
- Look at the speaker in the face and eyes.
- Focus and give attention but relax.
- Be open-minded.
- Listen and picture what the speaker is saying.
- Don't speak while the other person is talking.
- When the speaker pauses, you may ask for clarifying questions.
- Ask relevant questions.
- Put yourself in the speaker's place.
- Give feedback.
- Focus as well to nonverbal cues.

Speaking

A complex skill that distinguishes humans from other species.
Involves word and sound manipulation.
Encompasses meaning, sociality, relationship, affect, cultural issues, performance, and sound elements.
Functions of speaking:
- Interaction: Establishing communication.
- Transaction: Exchanging information.
- Performance: Engaging in expressive activities.

Reading

A multifaceted process encompassing word recognition, comprehension, fluency, and motivation.
Negotiates meaning between the text and the reader.
Reading Requires:
- Word recognition: Identifying individual words.
- Comprehension: Understanding the text's meaning.
- Fluency: Reading smoothly and with ease.

Categories of Reading (Brown, 1989)

Oral Reading: Reading aloud.
Silent Reading: Reading without vocalizing.
- Intensive: Closely focusing on the text's details.
- Linguistic: Analyzing the text's language features.
- Context: Understanding the text's context.
- Extensive: Reading for general comprehension and pleasure.
- Skimming: Quickly looking for the main idea.
- Scanning: Searching for specific information.
- Global: Reading for overall understanding.

Writing

A complex cognitive activity demanding control of language variables.
Influences success in education and employment.
Steps for Writing:
- Decide the Topic: Select the subject matter.
- Research and Collect Information: Gather relevant information.
- Outline and Plan: Structure the writing.
- Start Writing with a simple draft: Begin writing a rough version.
- Review, edit, and format: Refine, correct, and present the writing.

Viewing

Assigning meanings to visuals through printed and spoken words.
Provides understanding and knowledge through information presented using technology.

Types of Viewing

Visual Viewing: Simply absorbing visual information.
Critical Viewing: Engaging thoughtfully with visual content for deeper understanding.

Communicative Competence

The knowledge of an individual on the linguistic level, including phonology, morphology, syntax, and pragmatics.
Coined in 1996 by Dell Hymes as a response to Noam Chomsky's competence and performance concept.
Canale and Swain (1980) identified four components of communicative competence:
- Linguistic Competence: Ability to produce grammatically correct utterances.
- Sociolinguistic Competence: Ability to produce sociolinguistically appropriate utterances.
- Discourse Competence: Ability to produce coherent and cohesive utterances.
- Strategic Competence: Ability to overcome communication problems.

Three Principles of Communicative Competence

Communication Principle: Focus on effective communication.
Task Principle: Prioritize task completion through communication.
Meaningful Principle: Emphasize meaning and understanding in communication.

First Language (L1)

The language learned from birth until the critical period.
The language used in the home.
Learned naturally with 100% proficiency within 6 years of birth.
Acquired effortlessly and subconsciously.

Second Language (L2)

Learned after the first language.
Requires conscious effort and familiarity with the language's form, vocabulary, pronunciation, function, and rules.
Learned through formal instruction and immersion.

L1 vs L2

How they are learned: First language - naturally, Second language - later in life through formal instruction and immersion.

Mother Tongue

The language spoken by one's parents or community from birth.

First Language

The language in which someone becomes proficient.
The language most comfortable to use.

Native Language (Native Tongue)

The language a person is proficient in due to learning it from birth during early childhood.
Often the language individuals use for thinking, dreaming, and expressing themselves most comfortably.
Tied to the speaker's cultural identity and shapes their worldview and cognitive processes.

Foreign Language

A language not commonly spoken in the learner's immediate environment.
Typically learned in school or academic settings.

Micro Linguistics

Has a narrow linguistic perspective focused on language structures.
Includes:
- Phonetics: Study of speech sound articulation, transmission, and reception.
- Phonology: Study of speech sound function and organization.
- Morphology: Study of word construction and formation.
- Syntax: Study of relationships between linguistic forms.
- Semantics: Study of sentence meaning.
- Pragmatics: Study of the relationship between linguistic forms and their users.

Macro Linguistics

Has a broader perspective on linguistics.
Focuses on language acquisition, the relationship between language and culture, and the physiological and psychological processes involved in language behavior.
Includes:
- Psycholinguistics: Study of language and the mind.
- Sociolinguistics: Study of the relationship between language and society.
- Neurolinguistics: Study of language processing and representation in the brain.
- Discourse Analysis: Study of how stretches of language in communication gain meaning, purpose, and unity for their users.
- Computational Linguistics: Application of linguistic theories and computational techniques to natural language processing problems.
- Applied Linguistics: Field of study exploring how linguistics helps understand real-life problems in areas like psychology, sociology, and education.

Prescriptive Grammar

Focuses on establishing norms of correct and incorrect language use.
Formulates rules based on these norms, emphasizing standard usage.
Enforces rules according to established conventions.

Descriptive Grammar

Describes language use by native or non-native speakers without reference to correctness norms.
Acknowledges variations in language usage among speakers.
Formulates rules based on actual language use by speakers.

Synchronic Linguistics (Descriptive Linguistics)

Studies language at a specific point in time.
Focuses on language function without referencing historical stages.
Analyzes and describes how language is used by a speech community.

Diachronic Linguistics (Prescriptive Linguistics)

Studies language across different historical periods.
Focuses on language evolution and historical development.

Oral Language

Typically spontaneous, less structured, and more context-dependent, relying on non-verbal cues.

Written Language

More permanent, structured, and less reliant on context or non-verbal cues.

Plurality of Englishes

Recognizes that English is not a monolithic language but a diverse global phenomenon.
Various English varieties are shaped by factors such as geography, culture, history, and social influences, leading to distinct Englishes across regions and communities.

Features of Human Language by Hockett

Vocal-Auditory Channel: Human language primarily uses sound communication through the vocal system, perceived by hearing. An exception is sign language (manual-visual channel).
Broadcast Transmission and Directional Reception: Speech signals are audible in multiple directions but can be received directionally.
Rapid Fading (Transitoriness): Speech sound waves fade quickly.
Interchangeability: Speakers can both send and receive the same language signal.
Total Feedback: Speakers can hear themselves while speaking.
Specialization: Humans possess specialized organs for speech production.
Arbitrariness: No direct connection between language forms and their meanings.
Discreetness: Basic language units can be categorized.

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Description

This quiz explores the fundamental concepts of language, its definitions, and the essential macro skills necessary for effective communication. It also delves into the significance of language in shaping culture and interpersonal interactions. Test your understanding of the principles outlined by various linguists and the four key language skills.