Podcast
Questions and Answers
Which term describes the semantic shift of the word 'gay' from primarily meaning 'happy' to predominantly referring to sexual orientation?
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'?
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?
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?
Which of the following sentences suggests a general recommendation about eating a banana?
Signup and view all the answers
Which term represents the capability to convey multiple meanings through language structures?
Which term represents the capability to convey multiple meanings through language structures?
Signup and view all the answers
What do transformationalists assert about language?
What do transformationalists assert about language?
Signup and view all the answers
What does the term 'Language Acquisition Device' refer to?
What does the term 'Language Acquisition Device' refer to?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following is NOT emphasized by transformationalists regarding language?
Which of the following is NOT emphasized by transformationalists regarding language?
Signup and view all the answers
What does 'deep structure' refer to in language?
What does 'deep structure' refer to in language?
Signup and view all the answers
Which aspect highlights the universality of language acquisition?
Which aspect highlights the universality of language acquisition?
Signup and view all the answers
What is meant by 'surface structure' in language?
What is meant by 'surface structure' in language?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of these statements best reflects the view of creativity in language?
Which of these statements best reflects the view of creativity in language?
Signup and view all the answers
Lenneberg's contribution in 1967 focused on which key concept in language?
Lenneberg's contribution in 1967 focused on which key concept in language?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the term used to describe the ability of language users to communicate about things that are not present in the immediate environment?
What is the term used to describe the ability of language users to communicate about things that are not present in the immediate environment?
Signup and view all the answers
Which aspect of language is illustrated when John says, 'If I won the lottery, I would travel the world'?
Which aspect of language is illustrated when John says, 'If I won the lottery, I would travel the world'?
Signup and view all the answers
What concept is demonstrated when changing the sound in a word results in a different word, such as 'bat' changing to 'cat'?
What concept is demonstrated when changing the sound in a word results in a different word, such as 'bat' changing to 'cat'?
Signup and view all the answers
What is indicated by the example of the written word 'tree', which has no inherent connection to the actual plant?
What is indicated by the example of the written word 'tree', which has no inherent connection to the actual plant?
Signup and view all the answers
Which term best describes the concept of language organized at two different levels?
Which term best describes the concept of language organized at two different levels?
Signup and view all the answers
In cultural contexts, what does the use of specific gestures and expressions to convey politeness indicate?
In cultural contexts, what does the use of specific gestures and expressions to convey politeness indicate?
Signup and view all the answers
What does the property of duality in language refer to?
What does the property of duality in language refer to?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following concepts involves understanding that changing a single phoneme can create a different word?
Which of the following concepts involves understanding that changing a single phoneme can create a different word?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following best illustrates the concept of productivity in language?
Which of the following best illustrates the concept of productivity in language?
Signup and view all the answers
Which feature of language refers to the learned nature of the norms and rules of communication within a community?
Which feature of language refers to the learned nature of the norms and rules of communication within a community?
Signup and view all the answers
What is an example of transference in language?
What is an example of transference in language?
Signup and view all the answers
Which statement about phonemes is correct?
Which statement about phonemes is correct?
Signup and view all the answers
Which aspect of language reflects its dynamic nature?
Which aspect of language reflects its dynamic nature?
Signup and view all the answers
What does the term 'recursiveness' in language imply?
What does the term 'recursiveness' in language imply?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the primary focus of functionalist views in language teaching?
What is the primary focus of functionalist views in language teaching?
Signup and view all the answers
What is an example of double articulation?
What is an example of double articulation?
Signup and view all the answers
How do interactionists view the role of language?
How do interactionists view the role of language?
Signup and view all the answers
Which property demonstrates the limitless potential of language?
Which property demonstrates the limitless potential of language?
Signup and view all the answers
In task-based learning, what is emphasized most?
In task-based learning, what is emphasized most?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a key implication of how we view language?
What is a key implication of how we view language?
Signup and view all the answers
Which perspective prioritizes the functions of language over its structural elements?
Which perspective prioritizes the functions of language over its structural elements?
Signup and view all the answers
Which statement best describes the role of language as perceived by interactionists?
Which statement best describes the role of language as perceived by interactionists?
Signup and view all the answers
What aspect of language is most neglected by a strictly structuralist approach?
What aspect of language is most neglected by a strictly structuralist approach?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of functionalist language teaching?
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of functionalist language teaching?
Signup and view all the answers
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.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
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.
