The Study of Language Chapter 2
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Questions and Answers

What is the primary object of linguistic study?

  • Animal communication
  • Body language
  • Human language (correct)
  • Computer programming language

    • Which of the following is NOT a property of human language?

  • Productivity
  • Displacement
  • Intentionality (correct)
  • Cultural transmission

    • What does the concept of 'displacement' in language refer to?

  • The use of slang in different cultures
  • The capacity to discuss topics beyond the present moment (correct)
  • The ability to manipulate sounds
  • Creating new words from existing ones

    • Which field is concerned with language acquisition and learning?

    <p>Psycholinguistics</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What distinguishes human communication from animal communication?

    <p>Humans can discuss abstract concepts</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which aspect of language provides the ability to create endless meaningful sentences?

    <p>Productivity</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does 'arbitrariness' mean in terms of language?

    <p>Words have no direct relation to their meanings</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is related to the study of language within social contexts?

    <p>Sociolinguistics</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What distinguishes human language from animal communication in terms of symbol use?

    <p>Humans are creative with symbols.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which conclusion can be drawn about Washoe and Kanzi related to human linguistic capabilities?

    <p>They interacted using a symbol system chosen by humans.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why is reflexivity considered a special property of human language?

    <p>It allows for self-reference in communication.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the difference between a communication system with productivity and one with fixed reference?

    <p>Productive systems can generate an infinite number of messages.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How did the Gardners demonstrate that Washoe was not just mimicking signs from humans?

    <p>Washoe produced new signs independently.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What method did Sara use to communicate with humans?

    <p>Using plastic shapes as word symbols</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is one of the key criticisms made by psychologist Herbert Terrace regarding animal communication studies?

    <p>Chimpanzees merely mimic signs without understanding.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How did Kanzi learn to use symbols?

    <p>By observing others and being exposed to symbols</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was a significant development in Kanzi's communication abilities by the age of eight?

    <p>He understood spoken English at a level comparable to a two-and-a-half-year-old child.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of symbols did Lana use for communication?

    <p>Symbols on a large keyboard linked to a computer</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why are researchers skeptical about animals' linguistic skills?

    <p>Animals may not understand the meanings behind the symbols they use.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What did the Gardners argue in response to Terrace's criticisms?

    <p>Entities like Washoe can use forms correctly in the absence of humans.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following words did Kanzi develop a vocabulary for?

    <p>Common objects</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does arbitrariness in human language imply?

    <p>Different languages can use distinct signs for the same concept.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which characteristic describes the ability of humans to continuously create new expressions?

    <p>Productivity</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What distinguishes human language from animal communication?

    <p>Humans possess the ability for cultural transmission.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the term duality refer to in the context of human language?

    <p>The existence of two levels: sounds and meanings.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How is cultural transmission displayed in human language acquisition?

    <p>Language is acquired through interaction within a cultural context.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a key limitation of animal communication compared to human language?

    <p>Animal signals are fixed and do not express new ideas.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In terms of linguistic forms, what does productivity allow humans to do?

    <p>Use a finite set of words to create infinite expressions.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why can an infant raised in an English-speaking environment learn English instead of their biological parents' language?

    <p>Language is culturally transmitted and influenced by the environment.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the duality of levels in human language allow for?

    <p>It allows for a large number of distinct meanings from a limited set of sounds.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which property of human language allows reflection on its uses?

    <p>Reflexivity</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the outcome of attempts to teach chimpanzees spoken language?

    <p>Chimpanzees could comprehend spoken language but could not produce it.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What did Gua and Viki have in common in their language learning attempts?

    <p>Both were capable of understanding more words than they could produce.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why are animal communicative signals considered fixed?

    <p>They lack the flexibility to create combinations of sounds.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was a key limitation in teaching chimpanzees spoken language?

    <p>They did not have the physical capability to produce speech sounds.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the significance of Washoe's upbringing in relation to her language learning?

    <p>She learned sign language as a result of living in a human environment.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which aspect differentiates human language from animal communication?

    <p>Human language allows for the creation of new meanings from existing sounds.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    What is Linguistics?

    • Linguistics is scientifically studying human natural language.
    • It includes established theories, analytic methods, and practical applications.
    • Focuses on human language rather than broader interpretations like body or programming languages.

    Internal Knowledge of Language

    • Language knowledge involves understanding sound systems, word meanings, and sentence formation.
    • This knowledge is internal and resides in the mind.

    Areas of Applied Linguistics

    • Sociolinguistics
    • Language acquisition and learning
    • Psycholinguistics
    • Computational linguistics

    Communication in Animals vs. Humans

    • Animals communicate through sounds and signals, but this is distinct from human language.
    • Human language is a major distinguishing attribute from animal communication.

    Properties of Human Language

    • Displacement: Ability to discuss events and entities beyond the immediate context.
    • Arbitrariness: No inherent connection between linguistic forms and their meanings; different languages can assign different words to the same concept.
    • Productivity: Humans can create an infinite number of expressions; animal signals are fixed and specific.
    • Cultural Transmission: Language is learned and passed through generations; not instinctive like animal communication.
    • Duality: Language operates on two levels: a limited set of sounds and an unlimited combination of meanings.
    • Reflexivity: Ability to reflect on language and discuss its use, unlike animals.

    Studies on Animal Communication

    • Chimpanzees: Attempts to teach chimps human language have faced limitations; they lack the vocal structure for human speech.
    • Research examples:
      • Gua: Understood words but did not produce them.
      • Viki: Produced basic sounds but not clear speech.
    • Washoe learned over 100 signs in American Sign Language, forming simple sentences.
    • Sara used plastic shapes to represent words, communicating sentences through combinations.
    • Lana interacted via symbol keyboards, successfully generating requests.

    Skepticism in Animal Language Understanding

    • Researchers debate whether animals genuinely understand human language or merely respond to stimuli.
    • Using symbols does not equate to comprehension; animals may not grasp the meanings underlying the signals.
    • Herbert Terrace argued that responses are often misinterpreted as meaningful communication rather than mere imitation.

    Kanzi's Learning Experience

    • Kanzi learned symbols incidentally, developing an extensive vocabulary comparable to human toddlers.
    • He evidenced an understanding of spoken English and created unique sounds for specific objects.

    Distinction of Human Language Abilities

    • Human language showcases a distinctive creativity with symbols, a trait not observed in animals.
    • Washoe and Kanzi demonstrated some ability to interact using humans' symbol systems, but did not reach the proficiency of preschool-aged children.

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