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Linguistics > Language > Flashcards

Language Flashcards

1
Q

Is there a universal definition for Language?

A

No

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2
Q

Defining language is like defining the term life. The exact characteristics have to be talked about. Currently ___ definitions (single/several) for language exist

A

Several

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3
Q

(Symbol System) Every language that exists in ___ form chooses some symbols for its sounds Eg /k/ in English and ka in Hindi for similar sounds

A

Written

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4
Q

( Symbol System) these symbols form an ____. According to a system, they join and form meaningful words.

A

Alphabet

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5
Q

( Symbol system) A symbol is a concrete event or object that stands for something___Eg Cross ✝️for Christians

A

Abstract

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6
Q

( Symbol System) Words are symbols for objects. give Eg

A

Table is a symbol for a wooden object on 4 legs

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7
Q

( Symbol System) When someone wants to communicate, they put their message across in symbol form. The receiver shares a ___ with the sender and is able to interpret and understand the symbols.

A

Common understanding

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8
Q

( Arbitrary) Is there one to one correspondence between a word structure and the object it stands for?

A

No

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9
Q

( Arbitrary) There is a ___ established that can’t be easily changed. eg PEN is not spelled as NEP

A

Convention

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10
Q

( Arbitrary) However language is still infinitely ___ and ____ to community needs eg Shakespeare modified stomach to mean courage & new words like Sputnik

A

Extendable, modifiable

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11
Q

( Arbitrary) This nature of language allows ___ but it’s conventionality gives it ___

A

Change, stability

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12
Q

( Animal communication) Language is possessed only by ___ as opposed to less developed animals.

A

Humans

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13
Q

( Animal communication) Language is species ___ and ___

A

Specific, uniform

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14
Q

( Animal communication) eg A bee can convey distance and source of nectar but not it’s quality
This shows which differing quality?

A

Infinite- Human language can convey infinite set of messages while animal language is limited

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15
Q

( Animal communication) Eg distinguishing symbols of /k/ /t/ etc but not distinct symbols in long hums of bees
What differing quality does this show?

A

Discrete -Human langauge uses clearly distinguishable symbols while animal symbols are continuous

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16
Q

( Animal communication) Eg a bees dance is the same as it was years ago.
What differing quality does this show?

A

Modifiable and extendable - Human language changes with time.

17
Q

( Animal communication) Eg RP English has 44 sounds that join to form many words. This doesn’t exist in a monkeys cry.
What differing quality does this show?

A

Complexity- Each sentence has its own structural complexity.

18
Q

( Animal communication) Eg The bees skill to dance is inherited and inbuilt. Each human child has to learn language from peers.
What differing quality is this?

A

Non-instinctive– The process of language acquisition is by humans

19
Q

( Animal communication) Eg when a cat meows it related to its immediate time and place, not what will happen in two days.
What differing quality does this show?

A

Displacement- Human language is capable of forming messages related to past, present,future, near, distant ie Multidimensional setting.

20
Q

( Animal communication) Displacement enables humans to talk even of ___ and enables creation of ___

A

Imaginary things, fiction

21
Q

( Vocal ) Language is primarily speech from ___symbols

A

Oral-auditory

22
Q

( Vocal ) A speaker produces a string of ___ conveyed through air to the listener, who through their ___ recieves sound waves and conveys these to the ___ to interpret the symbols.

A

Oral sounds , hearing organs, Brain

23
Q

( Vocal) in the beginning, language must’ve been vocal sounds only.Writing came later as a __ of the sounds Eg Letter k to represent /k/ sound

A

Graphic representation

24
Q

( Vocal) A child too learns to speak first. The total quantum of speech is
___ than the total quantum of writing.

A

Larger

25
Q

( Vocal) What is the one advantage writing has over speech? How has this advantage changed in modern times?

A

1) Writing can be preserved in books. 2) But in modern times with invention of cassette and phone to record speech, primacy of speech is again seen.

26
Q

Each sentence has a structure, made by the brain. The brain can produce infinite and creative sentences from the limited set of sounds and symbols in a language.
This property is called?

A

Productivity

27
Q

( System of Systems) Language is not ____, it is ordered

A

Chaotic

28
Q

( System of Systems) Language systems are at 2 levels, which?

A

Phonological and syntactical

29
Q

( System of systems) at phonological level some sounds of a langauge have a fixed combination to form ___, and at syntactical level words combine to form ___ according to the grammar framework.

A

Words, sentences

30
Q

( System of systems) Thus langauge is a system of systems as it operates at multiple levels. This property is also called __

A

Duality

31
Q

( Means Of Communication) One person can communicate to another person as they share a common ___.

A

Code

32
Q

( Means of communication) Many systems of communication ie Maps, smiles etc depend on langauge. It controls a person’s ____. On a group level it carries civilization as ___ is carried through langauge.

A

Activity, human philosophy is carried

33
Q

( Means of communication) as language is present in all human activities we are called ___(talking animals).

A

Homo loquens

34
Q

( Means of communication) Human language permits a speaker to be a listener and vice versa without impairing functioning. This property is?

A

Reciprocity

35
Q

( Social Behaviour) A human child learns to speak the language of the linguistic community they’re placed in Eg?

A

Chinese infant in Indian family

36
Q

( Social Behaviour) Social behaviour through language allows ___ in culture.

A

Participation

37
Q

Characteristics of LANGAUGE: how many points?

A

8

Linguistics (11 decks)

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