Questions and Answers
Which term describes the semantic shift of the word 'gay' from primarily meaning 'happy' to predominantly referring to sexual orientation?
Which of the following refers to the basic units of sound in the words 'sit' and 'its'?
What concept is illustrated by the act of eavesdropping and relaying a conversation via text?
Which of the following sentences suggests a general recommendation about eating a banana?
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Which term represents the capability to convey multiple meanings through language structures?
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What do transformationalists assert about language?
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What does the term 'Language Acquisition Device' refer to?
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Which of the following is NOT emphasized by transformationalists regarding language?
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What does 'deep structure' refer to in language?
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Which aspect highlights the universality of language acquisition?
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What is meant by 'surface structure' in language?
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Which of these statements best reflects the view of creativity in language?
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Lenneberg's contribution in 1967 focused on which key concept in language?
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What is the term used to describe the ability of language users to communicate about things that are not present in the immediate environment?
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Which aspect of language is illustrated when John says, 'If I won the lottery, I would travel the world'?
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What concept is demonstrated when changing the sound in a word results in a different word, such as 'bat' changing to 'cat'?
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What is indicated by the example of the written word 'tree', which has no inherent connection to the actual plant?
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Which term best describes the concept of language organized at two different levels?
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In cultural contexts, what does the use of specific gestures and expressions to convey politeness indicate?
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What does the property of duality in language refer to?
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Which of the following concepts involves understanding that changing a single phoneme can create a different word?
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Which of the following best illustrates the concept of productivity in language?
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Which feature of language refers to the learned nature of the norms and rules of communication within a community?
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What is an example of transference in language?
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Which statement about phonemes is correct?
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Which aspect of language reflects its dynamic nature?
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What does the term 'recursiveness' in language imply?
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What is the primary focus of functionalist views in language teaching?
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What is an example of double articulation?
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How do interactionists view the role of language?
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Which property demonstrates the limitless potential of language?
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In task-based learning, what is emphasized most?
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What is a key implication of how we view language?
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Which perspective prioritizes the functions of language over its structural elements?
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Which statement best describes the role of language as perceived by interactionists?
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What aspect of language is most neglected by a strictly structuralist approach?
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Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of functionalist language teaching?
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Study Notes
Language Views
- Functionalism sees language as a dynamic system for information exchange and expression of meanings such as emotions and instructions.
- Functional language teaching emphasizes practical use and communicative functions rather than strict grammar.
- Interactionism views language as a tool for establishing relationships and social transactions through conversation.
- Task-Based Learning is rooted in interactionism, focusing on collaborative tasks that require real communication in the target language.
- Transformationalism posits that language is innate, facilitated by a Language Acquisition Device (LAD) in the brain, enabling rapid first language acquisition.
- Emphasizes the universal ability of children to acquire languages and shared abstract features across languages.
Communication of Meaning
- Surface Structure: The audible sounds and visual text of language; Deep Structure: The underlying meaning conveyed by those sounds and text.
- Language can express both present and absent concepts, known as displacement, allowing communication about hypothetical or abstract ideas.
Language Properties
- Arbitrariness: The connection between words and their meanings is not inherent, as seen in the word "tree," which has no natural relationship to the plant it signifies.
- Cultural Transmission: Language norms and expressions are learned within cultural contexts, reflecting community politeness.
- Discreteness: Individual sounds (phonemes) can change meanings, for instance, distinguishing "bat" from "cat."
- Duality of Structure: Language operates on two levels; distinct sounds can create a variety of meaningful combinations.
- Dynamic Nature: Language evolves by incorporating new words (neologisms) and meanings, influenced by technology and culture.
- Productivity: Users can create an infinite number of unique expressions and sentences, showcasing the flexibility of human language.
- Transference: The ability to write spoken language and read written content aloud illustrates the dual nature of human language.
Semantic Shifts and Language Use
- Words like "gay" have experienced semantic shifts, representing changes in meaning over time.
- Language productivity involves basic units (phonemes) creating meaningful combinations and sentences.
- Practical examples of language functions include text-based translations of spoken communication, demonstrating transference through writing.
Illustrative Examples
- Sentences reflecting cultural practices or preferences (e.g., eating bananas) illustrate the communicative purpose of language and its function in conveying suggestions or norms.
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Description
Explore various theories of language including Functionalism, Interactionism, and Transformationalism, along with effective teaching methods like Task-Based Learning. This quiz delves into how these perspectives shape our understanding of language acquisition and meaningful communication.
