Recent Lessons

Show all results for ""

Uniqueness of Human Language

Choose a study mode

Play Quiz

Study Flashcards

Spaced Repetition

Chat to Lesson

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

What are some practical applications of studying language according to the text?

Developing better teaching tools, designing computers for human interaction, treating speech and language disorders

Why is grammar considered more complex than what is typically taught in school?

Grammar is a complex phenomenon but every human masters the grammar of some language

What interesting feature about certain languages is highlighted in the text?

Some languages use cardinal directions instead of right and left

What is the task of a linguist according to the text?

To tease apart the patterns of various aspects of human language in order to discover how language works. Signup and view all the answers

Explain the significance of the principle that 'Language is systematic in spite of its enormous complexity' as mentioned in the text.

Despite the complexity of language, it can be studied scientifically due to its systematic nature. Signup and view all the answers

How does the text describe the variation in language according to the principles discussed?

Language varies systematically from person to person, region to region, and situation to situation, with variation at every level of structure. Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between linguistic competence and linguistic performance?

Linguistic competence is the potential to speak a language stored in the mind, while linguistic performance is the observable realization of that potential in speech. Signup and view all the answers

Using the example of walking, explain the concept of competence and performance.

Walking competence is the ability to walk, even when not actively doing so, while walking performance is the actual act of walking. Signup and view all the answers

Why do linguists use linguistic performance as a basis for understanding linguistic competence?

Linguistic competence cannot be directly observed, so linguists use linguistic performance to draw conclusions about competence. Signup and view all the answers

What are the key elements in any communication system as outlined by Claude Shannon and Warren Weaver?

Information source, transmitter, signal, receiver, destination Signup and view all the answers

How does language function as a communication system according to the text?

One person acts as the information source and transmitter, sending a signal to another person who acts as a receiver and destination. Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to know a lot about your language when using it as a communication system?

To effectively act as either the source and transmitter or as the receiver and destination. Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards are hidden until you start studying