Linguistics Flashcards
linguistic competence
It is a language system used in commenting, a linguistic knowledge possessed by native speakers of the language.
linguistic performance
The way a language system is used in communication.
performance errors
Errors made by learners when they are tired or hurried.
speech communication chain
The connection(s) between a taker and a listener via an auditory, a visual and/or an electrical channel.
speech communication chain steps
Steps 1-4: The idea of something to be communicated must be thought of, the information source.
Step 5: Transmitter
Step 6: Signal/speaker
Step 7: Perceive
Step 8: Decode
Step 9: Connect, listener received the communicated idea.
noise
To describe a specific technical phenomenon or a loud harsh sound of any kind.
lexicon
The complete set of meaningful units in a language.
mental grammar
Mental representation of grammar. The knowledge that a speaker has about the linguistic units and rules of his native language.
language variation
Refers to regional, social or contextual differences in the ways that a particular language is used.
descriptive grammar
The lay out of the grammatical elements and rules of a language as it is actually used.
4 reasons evidence shows that writing and language are not the same
Language
- Uses tone groups, a tone group can only convey one idea.
- Is designed to be listened to and to sound conversational.
Writing
- Uses sentences, a sentence can contain several ideas.
- Writing is more structured and focused.
3 reasons people believe writing to be superior to speech
- Writing can be edited.
- Writing must be taught.
- Writing is often more logical than speaking in its progression.
prescriptive grammar
The traditional approach of grammar that tells people how to use the English language, what forms they should utilize, and what functions they should serve.
prescribe
The establishment of rules defining preferred or correct usage of language.
Charles Hockett’s nine design features
- Mode of communication
- Semanticity
- Pragmatic function
- Interchangeability
- Cultural transmission
- Arbitrariness
- Discreteness
- Displacement
- Productivity
mode of communication
Interpersonal communication involving conversational speaking and listening or signed exchanges.
semanticity
Being able to convey meanings/the property of language that allows it to represent events, ideas, actions, and objects symbolically.
pragmatic function
The useful purpose of any given communication system.
interchangeability
The idea that people can give and receive identical linguistic signals.
cultural transmission
The ability to pass knowledge on from one individual to another even across generations.
arbitrariness
The absence of any natural or necessary connection between a word’s meaning and its sound or form.
linguistic sign
The combination of a linguistic form and meaning.
convention
A principle or norm that has been adopted by a person or linguistic community about how to use, and therefor what the meaning is of, a specific form.
nonarbitrariness
Direct correspondence between the physical properties of a form and the meaning that the form refers to.
iconic
The relationship of resemblance or similarity between the two aspects of a sign: its form and its meaning.
onomatopoeia
The connection or symbolism of a sound that is interpreted and reproduced within the context of a language, usually out of mimicry of a sound.
conventionalized
Something that is established, commonly agreed upon, or operating in a certain way according to common practice.
sound symbolism
The idea that vocal sounds or phonemes carry meaning in and of themselves.
discreteness
The property of communication systems by which complex messages may be built up out of smaller parts.
displacement
The capability of language to communicate about things that are not immediately present.
productivity
The capacity of a communication system for novel messages built out of discrete units to be produced and understood.
modality
The means through which a message is transmitted for any given communication system.
4 myths about signed languages
- Sign language is universal.
- The deaf can understand your spoken language by reading lips.
- If you’re speaking to a deaf person, speak slowly so they can understand you.
- A deaf person’s family and friends are qualified to interpret for them in a medical setting.
4 differences between codes and languages
Codes
- There are no vocabularies or alphabets, but special commands, abbreviations and ways of arranging text.
- Morse code is used in telecommunication to encode texts characters of two different signal durations, dots and dashes.
Languages
- A way of communicating between a community or country consisting of letters and sounds.
- Language is also consists of phonemes, morphemes, lexemes, syntax and context. Along with grammar, semantics, pragmatics and all work together to create communication.
