Linguistic Introduction lecture 1

Question 1

What is Linguistics?

Answer 1

The scientific study of language, examining its form, meaning, and context. It includes subfields like phonetics, syntax, semantics, and sociolinguistics.

Question 2

Traditional Grammar

Answer 2

A prescriptive approach to language based on classical languages (Latin, Greek). Focuses on setting rules for “correct” usage rather than describing how people naturally speak.

Question 3

Sweet (Henry Sweet)

Answer 3

A British philologist and linguist (1845-1912), pioneer in phonetics and a major influence on modern linguistic theory. Helped develop phonetic transcription systems.

Question 4

Jespersen (Otto Jespersen)

Answer 4

A Danish linguist (1860-1943) known for his contributions to grammar, language teaching, and the history of English. He emphasized the importance of understanding language evolution.

Question 5

Descriptive Grammar

Answer 5

An approach that focuses on describing how language is actually used by speakers, without making judgments about correctness.

Question 6

Prescriptive Grammar

Answer 6

A set of rules for how language should be used, often based on traditional norms, with the goal of maintaining a “standard” form of the language.

Question 7

Core Areas of Grammar

Answer 7

1.Phonology: The study of sounds and sound systems in a language.
2. Syntax: The arrangement of words and phrases to create sentences.
3.Semantics: The study of meaning in language.
4. Pragmatics: The study of how context influences the meaning and use of language.

Question 8

Synchronic Linguistics

Answer 8

The study of a language at a specific point in time, focusing on contemporary use without considering historical changes.

Question 9

Diachronic Linguistics

Answer 9

The study of how languages change over time, focusing on historical development and evolution of linguistic structures.

Question 10

Language

Answer 10

A structured system of communication, typically spoken or written, that relies on symbols and rules to convey meaning.

Question 11

Design Features of Language

Answer 11

Unique characteristics of human language, including:

• Sound signals: The use of vocal sounds.
• Arbitrariness: No inherent connection between words and their meanings.
• Learning: Language is acquired through social interaction.
• Duality: Language operates on two levels—individual sounds and combined meanings.
• Displacement: Ability to refer to things not immediately present.
• Creativity: The capacity to generate an infinite number of new sentences.
• Patterning: Repeated structural patterns in language.
• Structure Dependence: The reliance on hierarchical sentence structure.

Question 12

Schools of Linguistics

Answer 12

• Darwin: Theories related to the evolution of language, linking it to natural selection.
• Saussure: Introduced structuralism, focusing on the relationship between signs (signifier) and their meanings (signified).
• Bloomfield: Advocated a behaviorist approach to language, focusing on observable speech data.
• Sapir-Whorf: The hypothesis that the structure of a language shapes its speakers’ worldview.
• Chomsky: Proposed the theory of Universal Grammar, emphasizing innate linguistic abilities.

Question 13

Universalist

Answer 13

A linguistic approach suggesting that certain grammatical principles are common across all languages, stemming from innate human cognitive structures.

Question 14

Particularist

Answer 14

An approach emphasizing the uniqueness of each language, focusing on individual linguistic features rather than universal properties.