Linguistics

Question 0

Define morphology

Answer 0

The study of units of meaning. How we tell the difference in meaning between on collection of sounds: /bat/ /cat/ /rat/ /sat/

Example: tense markers like -ed or -ing or whole words like cat.

Question 1

Define phonology.

Answer 1

The study of sound units.

Example: consonant and vowel sounds in English.
What we say: cats. What we hear: /kats/
What we say: cars. What we hear: /karz/

Question 2

Define syntax.

Answer 2

Lexical/Nonlexical categories; grammar. How sentences are structured in speaking and writing to make meaning.

Example: parts of speech; sentence types.

Question 3

Define Semantics

Answer 3

Word/Sentence meaning. The study of meaning itself.

Example: the difference in meaning between the auxiliary verbs ‘need’ and ‘want’.

Question 4

Define Pragmatics

Answer 4

Speech Acts; discourse theory.

Example: Apologizing, refusing, or interacting “at the bank” or “at the store”.