Chapter 9

Question 1

Front: What is the definition of language?

Answer 1

Back: A shared symbolic system for communication, including letters and symbols that represent words. It is shared by all speakers of a language culture and enables communication.

Question 2

Front: What are the basic principles of language?

Answer 2

Back: Language = Words and Rules. Words make up the mental lexicon, and grammar defines the legal combinations of language units.

Question 3

Front: What are the three properties of language?

Answer 3

Symbolic: Uses sounds, signs, and gestures to transfer mental representations.
Structure: Rule-governed; symbols are combined to create meaningful units.
Generativity: Allows infinite combinations of symbols to create novel meanings.

Question 4

Front: What is displacement in language?

Answer 4

Back: The ability to represent and communicate about past, future, or imaginary events and objects.

Question 5

Front: What is the difference between surface structure and deep structure?

Answer 5

Surface Structure: Symbols used and their order (syntax).
Deep Structure: The underlying meaning of the symbols (semantics).

Question 6

Front: Give an example of the same deep structure with different surface structures.

Answer 6

Sam ate the cake.
The cake was eaten by Sam.

Question 7

Front: What is pragmatics in language?

Answer 7

he practical use of language, considering social context and implied meanings.
Example:
Passerby: “Do you have the time?”
Response: “3:52,” not just “Yes.”

Question 8

Front: What are ambiguous sentences?

Answer 8

Sentences that have multiple interpretations due to wording.
Example: “Mary had a little lamb. (But Sam had a little lamb to eat.)”

Question 9

Front: What did the case of “Genie” demonstrate about language?

Answer 9

Back: It highlighted the importance of early exposure to language during sensitive or critical periods.

Question 9

Front: What are garden path sentences?

Answer 9

Sentences that lead to misinterpretation until the end provides clarity.
Example: “The old man the ships.”

Question 10

Front: What is the difference between a sensitive period and a critical period?

Answer 10

Sensitive Period: Easier to learn a skill but not impossible later.
Critical Period: Essential to learn a skill during this time, or the ability may be lost.

Question 11

Front: How has technology influenced language?

Answer 11

Technology has introduced new words and shaped communication styles.
Examples: “Rizz” and “Brain Rot” (Word of the Year 2023/2024).

Question 12

Front: What does the Whorfian Hypothesis propose?

Answer 12

Front: What does the Whorfian Hypothesis propose?

Question 13

Front: What are the three modes of thinking?

Answer 13

Propositional Thought: Statements or propositions (e.g., “Mount Fuji is breathtaking”).
Imaginal Thought: Mental images (e.g., remembering a visit to Mount Fuji).
Motoric Thought: Representations of motor movements (e.g., hiking Mount Fuji).

Question 14

Front: What are problem-solving techniques?

Answer 14

Trial and Error: Generate and test solutions.
Means-End Analysis: Identify differences between current and goal states, creating sub-goals.

Question 15

Front: What is a negative set in problem-solving?

Answer 15

Back: The tendency to stick to a familiar solution approach, even if a better one exists.

Question 15

Front: What are the components of a problem space?

Answer 15

Initial State: Conditions at the start.
Goal State: Desired outcome.
Intermediate States: Steps along the way.
Operators: Permissible moves.