Language Files Chapter 1

Question 1

Linguistic competence

Answer 1

What we know when we know a language. The unconscious knowledge that a speaker has about their language

Question 2

Linguistic performance

Answer 2

The observable use of language. The actualization of one’s linguistic performance

Question 3

Performance error

Answer 3

Errors in language production or comprehension, including hesitations and slips of the tongue

Question 4

Speech communication chain

Answer 4

The process through which information is communicated, consisting of an information source, transmitter, signal, receiver and destination

Question 5

Speech communication chain steps

Answer 5

9 steps that show how communication happens from initial formation of thoughts to listeners reception and processing of words

Question 6

noise

Answer 6

Something that inhibits the communication chain

Question 7

Lexicon

Answer 7

A mental repository of linguistic information about words and other lexical expressions, including their form, meaning, morphological and syntactic propererites.

Question 8

Mental grammar

Answer 8

The mental representation of grammar. The knowledge that a speaker has about the linguistic units and rules of his native language.

Question 9

language variation

Answer 9

The property of languages having different ways to express the same meanings in different contests according to factors such as geography, social class, gender etc.

Question 10

descriptive grammar

Answer 10

Objective description of a speaker’s knowledge of a language based on their use of the language

Question 11

Evidence that writing and language are not the same(4 reasons)

Answer 11

1. Archaeological evidence that writing is a later historical development than spoken language.
2. Writing does not exist everywhere spoken language does, less than half of spoken languages have a written component
3. Language is acquired naturally, writing must be taught
4. writing can be edited before it is shared with other, speech is usually delivered spntaneously

Question 12

Reasons some people believe writing to be superior to speech (3 reasons)

Answer 12

1. writing can be edited
2. writing must be taught and therefore is associated with education
3. written language is more stable than verbal language

Question 13

prescriptive grammar

Answer 13

A set of rules designed to give instructions regarding the socially embedded notion of the correct or proper way to speak or write

Question 14

prescribe

Answer 14

Elevating one language over another

Question 15

Charles Hockett/s nine design features

Answer 15

1. Mode of communication
2. Semanticity
3. Pragmatic function
4. Interchangeability;ity
5. Displacement
6. Cultural transimission
7. Arbitrariness
8. Discreteness
9. Productivity

Question 16

Mode of communication

Answer 16

Means through which a message is transmitted for any given communication system

Question 17

semanticity

Answer 17

Property of having signals that convey a meaning shared by all communication systems

Question 18

pragmatic function

Answer 18

The useful purpose of any given communication system

Question 19

interchangeability

Answer 19

The property of a communication system by which all individuals have the ability to both transmit and review messages (as opposed to systems where some individuals can only send messages and others can only receive messages)

Question 20

cultural transmission

Answer 20

property of a communication system referring to the fact that at least some aspects of it are learned through interaction with other users of the system

Question 21

arbitrariness

Answer 21

in relation to language refers to the fact that a words meaning is not predictable from its linguistic form nor its form dictated by its meaning

Question 22

linguistic sign

Answer 22

the combination of a linguistic form and meaning

Question 23

convention

Answer 23

something established or operating in accordance with common practice

Question 24

nonarbitrariness

Answer 24

Direct correspondence between the physical properties of a forma nd the meaning that the form refers to

Question 25

iconic

Answer 25

The form and a meaning such that the form of the word bears a resemblance to its meaning

Question 26

onomatopoeia

Answer 26

Iconic use of words that are imitative of sounds occurring in nature or that have menaings that are associated with such sounds.

Question 27

conventionalized

Answer 27

Something that is established commonly agreed upon or operating in a certain way according to common practice. When an arbitrary relationship of a linguistic sign and its meaning is conventionalized, the lighistic sign bears a constant relationship only because people consistently use that linguistic sign to convey that meaning

Question 28

sound symbolism

Answer 28

Phenomenon by which certain sounds are evocative of a particular meaning

Question 29

discreteness

Answer 29

The property of communication systems by which complex messages may be built up out of smaller parts

Question 30

displacement

Answer 30

The property of some communication ssytems that allows them to be used to communicate about things, actions, and ideas that are not present at the place or time where communication is taking place

Question 31

productivity

Answer 31

The capacity of a communication system (unique to human language) for novel messages built out of discrete units to be produced and understood

Question 32

modality

Answer 32

Means through which a message is transmitted for any given communication system

Question 33

myths about signed languages (list 4)

Answer 33

1. Signed languages derive from spoken languages
2. Signed languages are manual codes
3. There is only one signed language used across the world
4. That just because a person has a hearing loss that person will choose to communicate through a sign language

Question 34

differences between codes and languages (list 4)

Answer 34

1. a code is an artificially constructed system for representing a natuaral language
2. Signed languages evolve naturally and independently from from spoken languge