Chapter 1: Introduction

Question 1

What is the difference between a language and a dialect?

Answer 1

Languages are not mutually intelligible, though dialects are. For instance, French and English cannot understand each other without any knowledge of the other. American English and Canadian English can understand each even some pronunciations slightly differ.

Question 2

How is sign language similar to spoken language?

Answer 2

Sign languages are independent systems of communication, as well as, each sign language has different signs, dialects, and grammatical systems, just like any spoken language.

Question 3

What are the organs that have developed secondary functions that allow for speech?

Answer 3

Lungs, Vocal Cords, Tongue, Teeth, Lips, Nose.

Question 4

What are the two properties of language?

Answer 4

1) Creativity, ability/flexibility to produce and understand new words and sentences, as needed.
2) Systematic Constraints, rules surrounding the creation of words and sentences that are integral part of our knowledge of language.

Question 5

What is grammar and what are the five components of grammar?

Answer 5

Grammar: A set of rules that allow humans to form and interpret the sounds, words, and sentences of their language.

1) Phonetics, the articulation and perception of speech sounds.
2) Phonology, the patterning of speech sounds within and across languages.
3) Morphology, the formation of words.
4) Syntax, the placement of words to form sentences.
5) Semantics, the interpretation of words, sentences, and phrases.

Question 6

What are the five universals of language?

Answer 6

1) Generality, all languages have grammar, and no two languages or dialects have the exact same grammar rules.
2) Parity, there is not primitive language since all are equally complex.
3) Universality, all grammars are alike in basic ways.
4) Mutability, all grammar can change over time.
5) Inaccessibility, grammatical knowledge is primarily subconscious.

Question 7

What is the difference between prescriptive grammar and descriptive grammar?

Answer 7

Prescriptive grammar, the approach that aims to prescribe one system in preference to another (rules). Descriptive grammar, the approach that describes observed properties of language (describing).

Question 8

What are the two properties that language has?

Answer 8

Creativity and Systemic Constraints.

Question 9

Lungs

Answer 9

The majority of sounds are made during a controlled exhalation of air from the lungs.

Question 10

Intercostals

Answer 10

Work with the diaphragm to control the air pressure needed for sound production. Intercostals are muscles located between the ribs that function to control the release of air.

Question 11

Diaphragm

Answer 11

Work with the intercostals to control the air pressure needed for sound production. The diaphragm sits under the lungs, and controls air pressure, in turn, controlling the speech volume and duration.

Question 12

Larynx

Answer 12

A structure of cartilage and muscles, where the vocal folds are located. It is the source of speech sounds. It also contains the thyroid cartilage, the cricoid cartilage, the trachea, arytenoids, and the glottis.

Question 13

Thyroid Cartilage

Answer 13

Forms the main portion of the larynx, and spreads around the front like a plow. Sits on top of the ring shaped cricoid cartilage.

Question 14

Cricoid Cartilage

Answer 14

A ring shape cartilage located above the trachea, keeping it opened.

Question 15

Arytenoids

Answer 15

Two small cartilages at the posterior (back) side of the larynx.

Question 16

Glottis

Answer 16

The space between the vocal folds, through which air passes.

Question 17

Vocal Ligaments

Answer 17

Attach the inside edges of the vocal folds to the thyroid cartilage.

Question 18

Vocal Folds/Cords

Answer 18

Fine sheets of muscle that stretch from the inner sides of the thyroid cartilage to form two vocal folds.

Question 19

In physiological terms, from front to back, what order does the vocal tract go in?

Answer 19

Lips, Teeth, Alveolar Ridge, Alveopalatal, Palate, Velum, Uvula, Pharnyx

Question 20

What are the properties of a consonant?

Answer 20

Narrowing or complete closure of the vocal tract, voiced or voiceless, non-syllabic, low sonority, quieter and shorter.

Question 21

What are the properties of a vowel?

Answer 21

Minimal obstruction in the vocal tract, voiced, syllabic, high sonority, longer and louder.

Question 22

What are the properties of a glide?

Answer 22

Part articulated with minimal obstruction; part with narrowing or restriction, voiced, non-syllabic, high sonority, quieter and shorter.

Question 23

Tongue and 5 areas

Answer 23

The primary articulating organ. 1) Tip - Narrow area at the front, 2) Blade - Area just behind the tip, 3) Body - Main mass of the tongue, 4) Back - Most back portion of the tongue that lies in the mouth, 5) Root - Part of tongue contained in the upper part of the pharynx

Question 24

What is the Dorsum?

Answer 24

Consists of the back and body of the tongue.