Chapter 1 - Introducing the Study of Language

Question 1

Linguistic Competence

Answer 1

What we know when we know a language; the unconscious knowledge that a speaker has about her or his native language; a person’s ability to speak.

Question 2

Linguistic Performance

Answer 2

The observable use of language. The actualization of one’s linguistic competence; putting your ability to speak into action even without the understanding of how.

Question 3

Performance Error

Answer 3

Errors in language production or comprehension, including hesitations and slips of the tongue; impaired performance.

Question 4

Speech Communication Chain

Answer 4

The process through which information is communicated, consisting of an information source, transmitter, signal, receiver, and destination; communicating an idea from person to another.

Question 5

Speech Communication Chain Steps

Answer 5

Step 1: Information Source: Think of what you want to communicate.
Step 2: Transmitter: Physical expression towards speaking.
Step 3: Signal: Speak.
Step 4: Receiver: Listener hears sounds.
Step 5: Destination: Listener has received communicated idea.

Question 6

Noise

Answer 6

Interference in the communication chain; unsuccessful communication.

Question 7

Lexicon

Answer 7

A mental repository of linguistic information about words and other lexical expressions, including their form, meaning, morphological, and syntactic properties; all the words you know.

Question 8

Mental Grammar

Answer 8

The mental representation of grammar. the knowledge that a speaker has about the linguistic units and rules of his native language.

Question 9

Language Variation

Answer 9

The property of languages having different ways to express the same meanings in different contexts according to factors such as geography, social class, gender, etc.

Question 10

Descriptive Grammar

Answer 10

Objective description of a speaker’s knowledge of a language based on their use of the language.

Question 11

Writing is NOT the same as language

Answer 11

1. Writing came after spoken language historically.
2. Writing does not exist everywhere that spoke language does.
3. Writing must be taught, whereas spoken language is acquired naturally.
4. Writing can be edited before it is shared, but speech is more spontaneous.

Question 12

Writing vs. Speech

Answer 12

1. Writing can be edited to perfection.
2. Writing must be taught and is associated with education and educated speech.
3. Writing is more physically stable than spoke language.

Question 13

Prescriptive Grammar

Answer 13

A set of rules designed to give instructions regarding the socially embedded notion of the “correct” or “proper” way to speak or write.

Question 14

Prescribe

Answer 14

In relation to language, to tell someone how to speak or write according to the idea of what is “good” or “bad”.

Question 15

Charles Hockett’s Nine Design Features

Answer 15

1. Mode of communication
2. Semanticity
3. Pragmatic Function
4. Interchangeability
5. Cultural Transmission
6. Arbitrariness
7. Discreteness
8. Displacement
9. Productivity

Question 16

Mode of Communication

Answer 16

Means through which a message is transmitted for any given communication system.

Question 17

Semanticity

Answer 17

Property of having signals that convey a meaning, shared by all communication systems.

Question 18

Pragmatic Function

Answer 18

The useful purpose of any given communication system.

Question 19

Interchangeability

Answer 19

The property of a communication system by which all individuals have the ability to both transmit and review messages.

Question 20

Cultural Transmission

Answer 20

Property of a communication system referring to the fact that at least some aspects of it are learned through interaction with other users of the system.

Question 21

Arbitrariness

Answer 21

In relation to language, refers to the fact that a word’s meaning is not predictable from its linguistic form, nor is its form dictated by its meaning.

Question 22

Linguistic Sign

Answer 22

The combination of a linguistic form and meaning.

Question 23

Convention

Answer 23

A way that something is done.

Question 24

Nonarbitrariness

Answer 24

Direct correspondence between the physical properties of a form and the meaning that the form refers to.

Question 25

Iconic

Answer 25

Relationship between form and meaning such that the form of a word bears a resemblance to its meaning.

Question 26

Onomatopoeia

Answer 26

Iconic use of words that are imitative of sounds occurring in nature or that have meanings that are associated with such sounds.

Question 27

Conventionalized

Answer 27

Something that is established, commonly agreed upon, or operating in a certain way according to common practice.

Question 28

Sound Symbolism

Answer 28

Phenomenon by which certain sounds are evocative of a particular meaning.

Question 29

Discreteness

Answer 29

The property of communication systems by which complex messages may be built up out of smaller parts.

Question 30

Displacement

Answer 30

The property of some communication systems that allows them to be used to communicate about things, actions and ideas that are not present at the place or time where communication is taking place.

Question 31

Productivity

Answer 31

The capacity of a communication system for novel messages built out of discrete units to be produced and understood.

Question 32

Modality

Answer 32

A mode of communication, which can tell how a language is produced and how a language is perceived.

Question 33

Myths about signed languages

Answer 33

1. Signed languages derive from spoke languages, rather than being languages in their own right.
2. Signed language does not consist of words at all but rather involves signers using their hands to draw pictures in the air, or act out what they are talking about.
3. There is only one signed language that is used by deaf speakers all over the world.

Question 34

Codes vs. Languages

Answer 34

1. A code represents a natural language and is an artificial system.
2. It has no structure of its own.
3. It borrows its structure from the natural language that it represents.
4. Codes never have native speakers.