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Questions and Answers
Which of the following features is unique to human communication?
What feature characterizes animal communication by having a fixed repertoire of vocal signals?
Which type of signals in communication are non-intentional and may be meaningful to a receiver?
What feature of human communication allows the creation of an unlimited number of complex new utterances?
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Which feature of human language relates to the absence of natural resemblance between a linguistic sign and its meaning?
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What is a characteristic of animal communication related to the vocal signal's meaning at the moment of vocalization?
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What is the term for a set of two words that are identical except for the change of one phoneme?
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Which word formation process involves combining two words to form a new one, such as 'boy' and 'friend' forming 'boyfriend'?
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What is the study of possible phoneme combinations in a given language called?
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Which type of syllable ends on a vowel and is called an open syllable?
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What is the term for the feature of syllables which are noticeably more prominent than others?
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In phonetics, what is an individual phone which is a variation of the same phoneme called?
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What does the term 'acronyms' refer to in the context of language?
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Which type of syllable ends on a consonant and is called a closed syllable?
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What is the term for a phonological unit which organizes the arrangement of phonemes in words?
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What is the term for a group of words which are identical except for the change of one phoneme, such as /bet/, /vet/, /met/, /pet/?
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Animals have a genetic predisposition to use a wide variety of vocal signals.
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Human language predominantly exhibits natural resemblance between linguistic signs and their meanings.
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Animal communication allows for the creation of an unlimited number of complex new utterances.
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Human language has a fixed repertoire of vocal signals that are used for communication.
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Animals use communicative signals intentionally to convey meaningful messages to a receiver.
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In human language, linguistic signs cannot be broken down into simpler meaningful or meaning-changing units.
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Minimal pairs are identical words except for the change of one phoneme.
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An open syllable ends on a nucleus, which is a vowel or diphthong, with or without a coda.
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Stressed syllables are produced with less energy than unstressed syllables.
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Phonotactics is the study of possible phoneme combinations in a given language.
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Allophones are individual phones that are not related to any specific phoneme.
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Borrowing is a word formation process that involves combining two words to form a new one.
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An acyclic syllable ends on a consonant and is called a closed syllable.
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Minimal syllables are the most common type of syllables in human languages.
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Vowels with coda, such as /ˈiːzi/ (easy), belong to the weak category of syllables.
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Coinage is a word formation process that involves blending two words to form a new one.
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Study Notes
Unique Features of Communication
- Unique human communication involves the ability to create an unlimited number of complex new utterances.
- Animal communication is characterized by a fixed repertoire of vocal signals, limiting their ability to express novel ideas.
Intentional vs Non-Intentional Signals
- Non-intentional signals in communication may still be meaningful to a receiver, highlighting differences in communication intent between humans and animals.
Linguistic Characteristics
- Absence of natural resemblance between a linguistic sign and its meaning defines a key feature of human language, allowing for abstract thought and expression.
- Linguistic signs in human language cannot be easily broken down into simpler meaningful units, adding complexity to language use.
Phonological Concepts
- Minimal pairs consist of groups of words that are identical except for the change of one phoneme (e.g., /bet/, /vet/).
- Phonotactics studies possible phoneme combinations within a given language, critical for understanding language structure.
Syllable Types and Features
- Open syllables end on a vowel or diphthong and can exist without a coda, while closed syllables conclude with a consonant.
- Stressed syllables are produced with greater energy than unstressed syllables, affecting pronunciation and rhythm in speech.
Variants and Formation Processes
- Allophones are variations of the same phoneme, showcasing the phonetic diversity within a language.
- Borrowing involves combining two distinct words to create a new term, exemplified by the formation of 'boyfriend' from 'boy' and 'friend'.
- Coinage represents another word formation process, blending terms to introduce new concepts.
General Observations
- Animals possess a genetic predisposition for a variety of vocal signals, indicating innate communication capabilities.
- While human language often shows a significant disconnect between signs and meanings, animal communication tends to reflect immediate situational meanings of vocalizations.
- Minimal syllables, prevalent in many human languages, typically end with a vowel, marking their simplicity and frequency in spoken language.
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Description
Explore the features of animal communication, including genetic predisposition and immediate validity. Learn about informative and communicative signals in the context of human vs animal communication.
