Intro to linguistics Flashcards
linguist definition
- person who knows several foreign languages well
- person who studies languages or linguistics
language definition
a system of arbitrary and conventional vocal signs
human beings use it to communicate
the linguistic sign
signified (concept) x signifier (sound sequence)
- reciprocal relationship between them
linguistic sign traits
- arbitrary
- conventional
- reciprocal
arbitrary trait
- connection between signified and signifier is unmotivated
- no reason why signifier represents a certain signified
conventional trait
- connection between signified and signifier is based on an agreement between speakers
reciprocal trait
- signifier evokes the signified
- we visualise the mental concept via signifier and vice versa
alternative concept of signs
Pierce
- some signs are only partly motivated
- need a more detailed classification of linguistic and non-linguistic signs
-> more categories
icons, symbols, index
arbitrary, similarity, effect-cause
language as a system
structuralism: language = complex, closed system
- elements have relationships within it, they have their place in the system
choice and chain: elements can have a paradigmatic (choice) or syntagmatic (chain) relationship
human language features (Hockett’s 16 design features)
- arbitrariness
- productivity
-discreteness - duality of patterning
- traditional transmission
- displacement
arbitrariness (Hockett’s 16 design features)
- sign and its meaning have no inherent relationship
- it was established randomly
productivity (Hockett’s 16 design features)
- language as an open system
-> can produce countless of different messages by combining elements
discreteness (Hockett’s 16 design features)
- language consists of discrete units
(e.g. = phonemes) - can be exchanged and cause change in meaning of the sign
duality of patterning (Hockett’s 16 design features)
2 types of elements exist:
1. the smallest meaningful (morpheme)
2. the minimal meaningless but differentiating (phonemes)
traditional transmission (Hockett’s 16 design features)
- new generations of speakers learn the system of communication/language from a preceding gen
-> language is passed down
displacement (Hockett’s 16 design features)
= communication about things and events that are distant in time and space
linguistics definition
= science, study of language
fields of linguistics
phonetics and phonology
morphology
syntax
semantics
pragmatics
langue x parole
langue = abstract language system shared by all speakers
parole = concrete/practical use of a language (realization) by an individual
phonetics
study of speech sounds
phonology
study of sound system of a language
morphology
study of creation, structure, form of words
syntax
study of structural units > 1 word
- relations between signs
semantics
study of word and sentence meaning
- relations between sign and meaning
what is said
pragmatics
study of meaning in context
- relation between sign and user
what is meant
linguistic approaches
synchronic x diachronic
descriptive x prescriptive
empirical x introspective
applied x proper
synchronic approach
- looks at a language at a particular point or period in time
diachronic approach
- looks at a language change through time
descriptive approach
- neutral description of actual language use (in speech)
prescriptive approach
- normative approach, formulates rules, the correct language use
empirical approach
- analysis based on authentic data
introspective approach
- analysis based on intuitions
applied linguistics
- insights used for practical purpose
e.g. teaching, jurisdiction
proper linguistics
- aims to understand the language
