Linguistics Vocab and Terminology Week 2

Question 1

linguistic competence

Answer 1

The unconscious knowledge and understanding of language conventions that allows a speaker to understand a language.

Question 2

linguistic performance

Answer 2

An individuals actual use of language in real world contexts.

Question 3

performance error

Answer 3

A failure to use a language system correctly, despite having the knowledge to do so.

Question 4

speech communication chain

Answer 4

Describes the stages in speech communication where a message moves from the mind of the speaker to the mind of the listener.

Question 5

speech communication chain steps

Answer 5

1. thought formation
2. language processing
3. sound production
4. transmission
5. hearing
6. comprehension

Question 6

noise

Answer 6

Any undesired sound that interferes with hearing.

Question 7

lexicon

Answer 7

The complete set of meaningful units in a language.

Question 8

mental grammar

Answer 8

The system that language speakers have in their minds that allows them to understand other language speakers.

Question 9

language variation

Answer 9

The different linguistic features individual speakers may utilize while speaking the same language.

Question 10

descriptive grammar

Answer 10

A set of grammatical rules and elements that describe how a language is actually used.

Question 11

List 4 evidence that writing and language are not the same

Answer 11

1. Language proficiency does not indicate literacy in a language.
2. Writing skills require additional understanding of grammar beyond mental grammar.
3. Oral languages can exist without written form.
4. Languages can have several different writing systems concurrently.

Question 12

List 3 reasons some people believe writing to be superior to speech

Answer 12

1. Writing often involves more structure and premeditation while speaking is more improvised.
2. Oral speech is not recorded
3. Writing requires a deeper knowledge of grammatical rules.

Question 13

prescriptive grammar

Answer 13

A set of language rules that uphold the preferred usage of language.

Question 14

prescribe

Answer 14

Advise the use of something.

Question 15

Charles Hockett’s nine design features (necessary for a communication system to be considered a language) (list)

Answer 15

1. mode of communication
2. semanticity
3. pragmatic function
4. interchangeability
5. cultural transmission
6. arbitrariness
7. discreetness
8. displacement
9. productivity

Question 16

mode of communication

Answer 16

How a message is transmitted

Question 17

semanticity

Answer 17

Specific signals that are tied to direct meanings.

Question 18

pragmatic function

Answer 18

All signals in a language system serve a useful purpose.

Question 19

interchangeability

Answer 19

A speaker can give and receive identical linguistic signals.

Question 20

cultural transmission

Answer 20

The concept that parts of a language system are learned through social interaction.

Question 21

arbitrariness

Answer 21

The form of a signal is not intrinsically tied to its meaning or function.

Question 22

linguistic sign

Answer 22

Something that communicates a meaning or concept that is not the sign itself, ie knocking on a door.

Question 23

convention

Answer 23

The accepted principles or norms that govern how a language is used in written and oral form.

Question 24

non-arbitrariness

Answer 24

The form of a sign allows indicates a signs meaning or grammatical function.

Question 25

iconic

Answer 25

The conceived similarity or connection between the form of a sign and its meaning.

Question 26

onomatopoeia

Answer 26

A word that phonetically imitates the sound it describes.

Question 26

conventionalized

Answer 26

Having the usage of something become normalized or expected.

Question 26

sound symbolism

Answer 26

The perceptual similarity between speech sounds and the meaning it represents.

Question 26

discreteness

Answer 26

Linguistic signs can be broken down into smaller units and combined with other signs in systematic ways. i.e. “s” making a word plural

Question 26

displacement

Answer 26

The notion that language can describe things that are not physically present or do not exist.

Question 27

productivity

Answer 27

Language systems can create an infinite number of new utterances with new meanings by combining already existing signs.

Question 28

modality

Answer 28

The medium or format through which language is conveyed.

Question 29

List 4 myths about signed languages

Answer 29

1. All signed language is the same
2. Signed languages have the same grammar and syntax rules
3. There is a universal form of signed language
4. Signed languages are less valuable than spoken langauges.

Question 30

List 4 differences between codes and languages

Answer 30

1. Language can express infinite ideas.
2. Language evolves, while codes stay the same.
3. Language has a wider variety of day-to-day applications.
4. Language is universal and intuitive, while codes must be taught.