LING 110 Ch 1: Introduction

Question 1

Why do language or words matter?

Give 6 reasons.

Answer 1

1. human language is unique
2. it plays a crucial role in cognition
3. it helps us deal with pathologies
4. it informs us about culture, religion, law
5. word choice has semiotic value, it’s a sign
6. economics, business … marketing

Question 2

Give 3 possible sources of speech pathology.

Answer 2

1. concussions
2. stroke
3. traumas

Question 3

Give an example of names that don’t travel well.

Answer 3

Junk Chemicals
Pansy Men’s Clothing
Polish chocolate bar Fart

Question 4

Give an example of a successful name

Answer 4

Oracle

Question 5

Where does “oracle” come from?

Answer 5

Latin, “oraculum / orare” “to speak”

Question 6

What are the 3 themes of the course?

Answer 6

1. language change
2. structure
3. representation

Question 7

1. language change:

give an example of new developments

Answer 7

• “social media”

- the use of the acronym “FYI” as a word

Question 8

1. language change:

a.
b.
c.

Answer 8

a. language is constantly evolving
b. word shape changes over time
c. change is NOT random

Question 9

2. structure:

a.
b.
c.

Answer 9

a. words have internal structure, i.e. morphemes
b. sometimes morphemes are easily identified
c. when words have been in the lexicon for a long time, structure can be obscured by changes e.g. “nest” “ni” + “st”

Question 10

3. representation:

name an important point about representation and English orthography

Answer 10

• English orthography (spelling) is not a good representation system because several several different sounds are represented by the same letter

Question 11

orthography = “orth-“ + “graphein” or “ortho(s)” + “graphia”

Answer 11

“correct” + “to write”

Question 12

what is etymology?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Answer 12

1. the history of a word
2. it traces the earliest recorded occurrence
3. it traces transmission among languages
4. it analyzes component parts
5. it identifies cognates