Chapter 1

Question 1

Linguistics

Answer 1

The scientific study of language

Question 2

Sociolinguistics

Answer 2

Subfield in linguistics that examines the relationship between language and society

Question 3

Prescriptive approach

Answer 3

The view that one variety of language is inherently correct and that this way of speaking ought to be imposed on all speakers of that language

Question 4

Descriptive approach

Answer 4

A systematic analysis of the structure of language as it is spoken in a particular group

Question 5

Competence

Answer 5

A person’s unconscious knowledge of the grammatical rules of a language.

Question 6

Performance

Answer 6

The way individuals actually use language.

Question 7

Communicative competence

Answer 7

The ability to produce and understand utterances which are socially appropriate in particular contexts.

Question 8

Idiolect

Answer 8

An individual’s distinctive way of speaking.

Question 9

Whorfian hypothesis

Answer 9

The idea that language determines (or at least influences) the way we think.

Question 10

Linguistic profiling

Answer 10

The practice of using a person’s accent, speech and other auditory cues to identify the social characteristics of an individual.

Question 11

Variation

Answer 11

The idea that there are a variety of ways of saying things, and which code, lexical item, pronunciation etc. is used has social meaning.

Question 12

Identity

Answer 12

A socially constructed affiliation with particular social categories.

Question 13

Power

Answer 13

The ability to control the actions of self and others (not only physical force but also the ability to prevent opposition from arising).

Question 14

Solidarity

Answer 14

A common bond between individuals, usually associated with identification with the same social group.