Language & Communication Flashcards
What is Language?
It’s determined by linguists, who focus on spoken language.
What are the five things part of language?
1) Structural Description = set of symbols which can be re-arranged in good/bad ways.
2) Functional Description = complex code (used by humans) by which agents communication [by humans so not bird calls etc]
3) Natural Language = created by cultures
4) Artificial Language = created by individuals or small teams for the purpose of entertainment {languages for movies such as Star Trek or Lord of the Rings)
5) Computer Language = Artificial Language for communication with computers (unambiguous and v specific)
What is Human Language?
There’s a structure but it’s implicit. We know how to put sentences together, but we can’t explain how or why we say things the way we do.
Why is Language a Brain Language?
It’s a brain language because what we want to say is organized/interpreted in our brains into language to share with others so they can do the same. However, the other person doesn’t have access to my brain directly.
What are the disciplines of Linguistics?
1) Phonology = How sounds are organized.
2) Morphology = Sound and meaning interaction in words. (run vs running).
3) Syntax = Way language is put together grammatically.
4) Semantics = Meaning in language.
5) Pragmatics = How sentences interact w/ context to change meaning (Do you have the time?)
What is an example of Phonetic Puzzles?
- We can say somethin’ and nothin’, but not anythin’
What’s the deal with Syntax: Intransitive, and transitive, and requiring complements?
Just deals with what we can and can’t do when putting a sentence together. (Patty jumped, and Patty jumped over the pug are valid. Patty hit is not valid, while Patty hit the button is valid. Patty put, and Patty put the book are invalid, but Patty put the book back are valid.)
