Generative Grammar Concepts Quiz

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Questions and Answers

Which of the following is true about non-human species and grammar?

Non-human species can acquire a well-coded lexicon but not grammar (correct)

Teaching grammar to non-human species has been highly successful

Non-human species can acquire grammar as easily as humans

Non-human species have a natural communicative use of grammar

What is the meaning of the term 'grammar' in the context of the text?

Only a set of rules developed to control certain aspects of the usage of native speakers

Only a set of rules typically taught in school about 'appropriate usage' and about writing

Only the knowledge that a native speaker has of his or her language and to descriptions of that knowledge (correct)

All of the above

What is the unique human capacity that is at the heart of the human communication system?

The ability to use grammar in a natural communicative way

The ability to acquire a well-coded lexicon

The ability to internalize grammar (correct)

The ability to articulate the rules of a language

What is the difference between a native speaker's competence and their ability to articulate the rules of their language?

Competence refers to internalized grammar while articulation refers to the ability to articulate the rules of the language Signup and view all the answers

What is the focus of the following essay?

The different meanings of the term 'grammar' Signup and view all the answers

What is the success rate of teaching grammar to non-human species?

Not successful Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between grammar books and grammar rules?

Grammar books describe the structure of a language while grammar rules are developed to control certain aspects of the usage of native speakers Signup and view all the answers

What is the main goal of transformational generative grammar?

To describe the internal grammar of language Signup and view all the answers

What is Universal Grammar according to Chomsky and his followers?

Our human language capacity Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between deep structure and surface structure in generative-transformational grammar?

Deep structure generates meaning, while surface structure produces spoken sentences Signup and view all the answers

What is Halliday's Systemic Functional Grammar concerned with?

The sociological aspects of language Signup and view all the answers

What are the three strata that make up the linguistic system according to Halliday's Systemic Functional Grammar?

Meaning, sound, and wording or lexicogrammar Signup and view all the answers

What is the main argument for an innate component to language acquisition?

The language capacity is species specific Signup and view all the answers

What is the distinction made by cognitive scientists like Krashen in terms of conscious and subconscious knowledge?

How we get conscious and subconscious knowledge Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes prescriptive grammar?

A grammar that involves attempts to establish and maintain a standard of correctness in the language Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference between prescriptive grammar and descriptive grammar?

Prescriptive grammar involves value judgments based on factors external to language, while descriptive grammar attempts to describe the usage of native speakers Signup and view all the answers

What is the main focus of generative-transformational grammar?

To generate and transform sentences based on underlying rules Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between normative/prescriptive grammar and modern linguistics?

Normative/prescriptive grammar is based on traditional grammar principles, while modern linguistics emphasizes objectivity in describing the language Signup and view all the answers

What is the main goal of descriptive grammar?

To describe the usage of native speakers Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference between prescriptive grammarians and descriptive grammarians?

Prescriptive grammarians involve value judgments based on factors external to language, while descriptive grammarians attempt to describe the usage of native speakers Signup and view all the answers

What is the standard of formal written English according to descriptive grammar?

It is one of the many grammatical forms recognized by descriptive grammar Signup and view all the answers

Which type of knowledge is learned, and which type is acquired?

Conscious knowledge is learned, and subconscious knowledge is acquired Signup and view all the answers

Why do classes in the formal grammar of a foreign language often fail to train people to speak those languages?

Because they focus on conscious knowledge rather than subconscious knowledge Signup and view all the answers

What is an interlanguage grammar?

A linguistic system that falls between the grammar of a learner's first language and the grammar of the second language they are trying to learn Signup and view all the answers

Do most linguistics believe that the same mechanisms available to first language acquirers are available to second language learners?

No Signup and view all the answers

What is UG's claim about learning the grammar of a second language?

It is not so much learning completely new structures, rules, etc as discovering how to set the parameters for the new language Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between L1 acquirers and L2 learners?

L1 acquirers learn a language subconsciously, while L2 learners must consciously learn a language Signup and view all the answers

What is the task that L2 learners face?

The need to arrive at a linguistic system that will allow the learner to understand and speak the second language Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between conscious knowledge and subconscious knowledge?

Conscious knowledge is learned, while subconscious knowledge is acquired Signup and view all the answers

Why is being immersed in an environment where they can subconsciously acquire a language much more effective than taking classes in the formal grammar of a foreign language?

Because subconscious knowledge is needed to actually speak a language fluently Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Grammar and Language Acquisition

Non-human species are not capable of learning grammar in the same way humans do, and their success rate in learning grammar is low.

Definition of Grammar

Grammar refers to the set of rules that govern the structure of language, including phonology, syntax, and semantics.

Human Capacity for Communication

The unique human capacity at the heart of the human communication system is the ability to create and understand complex sentences and meanings.

Competence vs. Articulation

A native speaker's competence refers to their ability to use language correctly, whereas their ability to articulate the rules of their language refers to their conscious knowledge of grammar rules.

Essay Focus

The focus of the essay is to discuss the nature of grammar, language acquisition, and the differences between human and non-human species in terms of language ability.

Grammar Books vs. Grammar Rules

Grammar books provide a descriptive account of language rules, whereas grammar rules are the underlying principles that govern language structure.

Transformational Generative Grammar

The main goal of transformational generative grammar is to explain how language users create and understand an infinite number of sentences from a finite set of rules.

Universal Grammar

According to Chomsky and his followers, Universal Grammar refers to the innate capacity of humans to acquire language, which includes a set of universal principles and parameters that are common to all human languages.

Deep Structure vs. Surface Structure

In generative-transformational grammar, deep structure refers to the underlying meaning of a sentence, whereas surface structure refers to the actual words and phrases used to express that meaning.

Systemic Functional Grammar

Halliday's Systemic Functional Grammar is concerned with the social and functional aspects of language, and how language is used to create meaning in context.

Three Strata of Linguistic System

The three strata that make up the linguistic system according to Halliday's Systemic Functional Grammar are the phonological, lexicogrammatical, and semantic strata.

Innate Component of Language Acquisition

The main argument for an innate component to language acquisition is that children are able to acquire language rapidly and effortlessly, despite the complexity of language.

Conscious and Subconscious Knowledge

Cognitive scientists like Krashen distinguish between conscious knowledge (learned rules) and subconscious knowledge (acquired language ability).

Prescriptive Grammar

Prescriptive grammar involves making judgments about what is correct or incorrect in language, and is often based on social and cultural norms.

Prescriptive vs. Descriptive Grammar

The main difference between prescriptive grammar and descriptive grammar is that prescriptive grammar focuses on what should be, whereas descriptive grammar focuses on what is.

Focus of Generative-Transformational Grammar

The main focus of generative-transformational grammar is to explain how language users create and understand an infinite number of sentences from a finite set of rules.

Normative/Prescriptive Grammar vs. Modern Linguistics

The main difference between normative/prescriptive grammar and modern linguistics is that modern linguistics focuses on describing language as it is used, whereas normative/prescriptive grammar focuses on prescribing how language should be used.

Goal of Descriptive Grammar

The main goal of descriptive grammar is to describe the rules and patterns of language as they are used by speakers.

Prescriptive vs. Descriptive Grammarians

The main difference between prescriptive grammarians and descriptive grammarians is that prescriptive grammarians focus on what is correct or incorrect, whereas descriptive grammarians focus on describing language patterns.

Standard of Formal Written English

The standard of formal written English according to descriptive grammar is based on the language patterns used by formal writers.

Learned vs. Acquired Knowledge

Learned knowledge refers to rules and language patterns that are consciously taught, whereas acquired knowledge refers to language ability that is developed through exposure and use.

Language Acquisition vs. Language Learning

Classes in the formal grammar of a foreign language often fail to train people to speak those languages because they focus on learned knowledge rather than acquired language ability.

Interlanguage Grammar

An interlanguage grammar refers to the unique language system developed by second language learners as they acquire the language.

L1 Acquirers vs. L2 Learners

L1 acquirers are children who acquire their first language, whereas L2 learners are individuals who acquire a second language.

Task of L2 Learners

The task that L2 learners face is to develop a new language system that is distinct from their first language.

Conscious vs. Subconscious Knowledge

Conscious knowledge refers to language rules and patterns that are learned and can be articulated, whereas subconscious knowledge refers to language ability that is acquired and used automatically.

Immersion vs. Language Classes

Being immersed in an environment where they can subconsciously acquire a language is much more effective than taking classes in the formal grammar of a foreign language because it allows learners to develop acquired language ability.

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Description

Test your knowledge of transformational generative grammar with this quiz! From the basics of Chomsky's Syntactic Structures to the revolutionary goals of the transformationalists, this quiz will challenge your understanding of linguistic theory. Keywords: transformational generative grammar, Noam Chomsky, Syntactic Structures, linguistic theory.

Transformational Generative Grammar Quiz

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