5 Questions
What levels of linguistic structure exhibit variation?
All levels of linguistic structure: phonetics, phonology, morphology, syntax, and semantics (or the lexicon).
What is an example of phonetic variation cited in the text?
New York City dialects producing /t, d, n, s, z/ as dental, while other American English dialects produce them as alveolar.
What is the key difference in how /t, d, n, s, z/ sounds are produced in New York City dialects versus other American English dialects?
In New York City dialects, they are produced as dental, while in other American English dialects, they are produced as alveolar.
What is meant by 'physical characteristics' of a sound in the context of phonetic variation?
The physical characteristics of a sound refer to its actual pronunciation, such as how it is articulated and perceived.
What is an example of a phoneme mentioned in the text?
/t/, /d/, /n/, /s/, and /z/
Study Notes
Variation in Linguistic Structure
- Linguistic variation exists at multiple levels: phonetics, phonology, morphology, syntax, and semantics (or lexicon)
Phonetic Variation
- Phonetic variation involves differences in the physical characteristics of sounds
- Example: /t, d, n, s, z/ phonemes in American English
- New York City dialects produce these sounds as dental (tongue touches teeth), while most other American English dialects produce them as alveolar (tongue touches alveolar ridge)
This quiz explores the concept of linguistic variation at different levels of linguistic structure, including phonetics, phonology, morphology, syntax, and semantics.
Make Your Own Quizzes and Flashcards
Convert your notes into interactive study material.
Get started for free
