Podcast
Questions and Answers
The Scandinavian languages (Norwegian, Danish, and Swedish) are considered distinct languages primarily due to:
The Scandinavian languages (Norwegian, Danish, and Swedish) are considered distinct languages primarily due to:
- A complete lack of shared linguistic traits and origins.
- Pronounced variations in their sound inventories.
- Significant differences in vocabulary and grammar that hinder mutual intelligibility.
- Longstanding political and historical reasons, despite being mutually intelligible. (correct)
Which of the following is NOT a universal trait shared by all languages?
Which of the following is NOT a universal trait shared by all languages?
- Hierarchical organization, where smaller units combine into larger ones.
- Displacement, the ability to refer to things that are not present.
- A limited and fixed set of expressions. (correct)
- Arbitrariness in the connection between signs and meanings.
The arbitrariness of language refers to:
The arbitrariness of language refers to:
- The lack of a logical connection between a sign and its meaning. (correct)
- The creative potential of language.
- The unpredictable nature of language evolution and change.
- The hierarchical structure of language.
Considering that the English word for 'cat' is 'cat', the French word is 'chat', and the Japanese word is 'neko', which concept of language does this exemplify?
Considering that the English word for 'cat' is 'cat', the French word is 'chat', and the Japanese word is 'neko', which concept of language does this exemplify?
Which of the following best illustrates the hierarchical organization of language?
Which of the following best illustrates the hierarchical organization of language?
How does the ability to create phrases like 'the small cat' or 'the big cat' from 'the cat' demonstrate a key feature of language?
How does the ability to create phrases like 'the small cat' or 'the big cat' from 'the cat' demonstrate a key feature of language?
Which of the following examples best demonstrates the 'creative system' aspect of language?
Which of the following examples best demonstrates the 'creative system' aspect of language?
The sentence 'A dog bites a man' has a different meaning from 'A man bites a dog'. Which characteristic of language is most relevant to this difference?
The sentence 'A dog bites a man' has a different meaning from 'A man bites a dog'. Which characteristic of language is most relevant to this difference?
Which of the following best describes the distinction between 'language' and 'Language' as presented?
Which of the following best describes the distinction between 'language' and 'Language' as presented?
Mutual intelligibility is often used to determine if two varieties of speech are dialects of the same language, however what other factors can be more important?
Mutual intelligibility is often used to determine if two varieties of speech are dialects of the same language, however what other factors can be more important?
According to the material, what is the primary criterion for differentiating between two distinct languages?
According to the material, what is the primary criterion for differentiating between two distinct languages?
Max Weinreich's quote, 'A language is a dialect with an army and a navy,' suggests that the distinction between a language and a dialect is often based on:
Max Weinreich's quote, 'A language is a dialect with an army and a navy,' suggests that the distinction between a language and a dialect is often based on:
Considering the discussion of mutual intelligibility, which scenario would most likely lead linguists to classify two speech varieties as separate languages?
Considering the discussion of mutual intelligibility, which scenario would most likely lead linguists to classify two speech varieties as separate languages?
If two regions speak varieties of a language that are mutually intelligible, but each insists they are speaking different languages for reasons relating to unique cultural heritage, what conclusion aligns with the content?
If two regions speak varieties of a language that are mutually intelligible, but each insists they are speaking different languages for reasons relating to unique cultural heritage, what conclusion aligns with the content?
Which of the following best illustrates the concept of 'rule-governed creativity' in language?
Which of the following best illustrates the concept of 'rule-governed creativity' in language?
Based on the material, what is the approximate number of human languages spoken in the world?
Based on the material, what is the approximate number of human languages spoken in the world?
Which of the following scenarios best illustrates the concept that 'a language is a dialect with an army and a navy'?
Which of the following scenarios best illustrates the concept that 'a language is a dialect with an army and a navy'?
The example '*The man American' is ungrammatical because it violates what aspect of English grammar?
The example '*The man American' is ungrammatical because it violates what aspect of English grammar?
Which of the following is an example of how grammar extends beyond just words and sentences?
Which of the following is an example of how grammar extends beyond just words and sentences?
The ability to discuss events that are not happening in the present moment is known as:
The ability to discuss events that are not happening in the present moment is known as:
What does the concept of 'Universal Grammar (UG)' propose about language acquisition?
What does the concept of 'Universal Grammar (UG)' propose about language acquisition?
Which scenario primarily reflects linguistic performance rather than linguistic competence?
Which scenario primarily reflects linguistic performance rather than linguistic competence?
A linguist is studying how a new grammatical rule is spreading through a community. Which property of language are they most likely investigating?
A linguist is studying how a new grammatical rule is spreading through a community. Which property of language are they most likely investigating?
Which factor is most likely to affect a person's linguistic performance, but not their underlying linguistic competence?
Which factor is most likely to affect a person's linguistic performance, but not their underlying linguistic competence?
Flashcards
What is a 'language'?
What is a 'language'?
A specific form of a language spoken by a community.
What is 'Language'?
What is 'Language'?
The system that allows humans to communicate.
What defines a language?
What defines a language?
Mutual intelligibility, political, cultural, and religious factors.
Mutual Intelligibility
Mutual Intelligibility
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Dialects vs. Languages
Dialects vs. Languages
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Weinreich's definition of language
Weinreich's definition of language
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Factors Defining a Language
Factors Defining a Language
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Are British and American English different languages?
Are British and American English different languages?
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Language Universals
Language Universals
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Arbitrariness (in language)
Arbitrariness (in language)
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Hierarchical Organization
Hierarchical Organization
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Creative System (of language)
Creative System (of language)
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Semanticity in Language
Semanticity in Language
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Sign Variation
Sign Variation
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Arbitrary sign meaning
Arbitrary sign meaning
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Rule-governed creativity
Rule-governed creativity
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Grammar
Grammar
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Grammar Rules Example
Grammar Rules Example
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Displacement
Displacement
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Genetic endowment
Genetic endowment
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Competence
Competence
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Performance
Performance
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Competence vs. Performance
Competence vs. Performance
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Study Notes
- Language distinguishes humans from other creatures
- Consider two questions when approaching language: "language" and "Language"
What is "language"?
- Refers to a particular variety spoken in a community
What is "Language"?
- The system that allows us to communicate with each other
How many human languages are spoken/signed in the world?
- Approximately 7,105
What counts as a language?
- British and American English are the same language
- (American) English and Chinese are two different languages
- Mutual intelligibility is the ability to understand each other
- If two varieties of speech are mutually intelligible, they are considered the same language
- If two varieties of speech are mutually unintelligible, they are considered different languages
- What counts as a language has political, religious, or cultural factors associated with it
- Scandinavian countries are an example of political influence on "language"
- Norwegian, Danish, and Swedish are mutually intelligible, but considered different languages because of political and historical reasons
Properties of Language
- All languages differ with respect to their inventory of sounds, vocabulary, word order, types of affixes etc.
- All languages have a common set of traits: arbitrary, hierarchically organized, a constrained but creative system, quintessentially human and genetically endowed, and displacement
Arbitrariness of Language
- Language has semanticity, or the ability to convey meaning
- Language works through a system of signs that are associated with meanings
- A conventional sign is a string of sounds (for spoken languages) or a gesture (sign languages)
- /kæt/ (cat) is associated with a meaning arbitrarily
- Language has no intrinsic connection between sounds and a particular meaning
Hierarchical Organization of Language
- Language combines smaller units into larger units that are arranged in a particular order
- Sequences of sounds form words: k + æ + t → cat
- Sequences of words form phrases: the big cat
- Sequences of phrases form sentences: The big cat ate a fish
Language as a Creative System
- Language substitutes or adds units to create new meanings and express infinitely many new ideas
- /kæt/ 'cat' vs. /bæt/ 'bat' shows how changing a sound creates a new meaning
- Word order matters: "A dog bites a man" vs. "A man bites a dog"
Rule-Governed Creativity
- Creativity is constrained by a language's grammar
- Grammar is the mental system that allows human beings to form and interpret the sounds, words, and sentences of their language
- In English, adjectives (American, tall, smart) typically precede the noun that they modify
Grammar and Word Sounds
- Grammar is not just about "proper" vs. "improper" usage, pronunciation, punctuation
- Grammar is not just about words and sentences
- Example: flib vs. fbli, flib sounds more like an English word
Displacement
- One can communicates about things not present or not yet existing. Examples:
- It will rain tomorrow.
- The Halifax Explosion happened in 1917.
Genetic Endowment
- All human children have the same, equal capacity to acquire any human language
- First language acquisition is so efficient that many believe we are born with an innate Universal Grammar (UG), a template for learning any language
Competence vs. Language
- Competence is the ability to produce, perceive, and understand language as well as render grammaticality or acceptability judgments
- Performance is the ability to use language to communicate. Performance can be affected by stress, nerves, or substances
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Description
Explore the concept of language and its variations. Learn about different types of languages around the world and the factors that differentiate them. Understand mutual intelligibility and its role in defining languages.
