Module 2

Question 1

Linguistic competence

Answer 1

What we know when we know a language.l; the unconscious knowledge that a speaker has about her or his native language.

Question 2

Linguistic performance

Answer 2

The observable use of language. The actualization of ones linguistic competence.

Question 3

Performance error

Answer 3

Errors in language production or comprehension, including hesitations and slips of the tongue.

Question 4

Speech communication chain

Answer 4

The process through which information is communicated, consisting of an information source, transmitter, signal, receiver, and destination.

Question 5

Speech communication chain steps

Answer 5

1. Think of what you want to communicate
2. Pick out words to express the idea
3. Put words together
4. Figure out how to pronounce the words
5. Send the pronounciations to your vocal anatomy
6. Speak
7. Perceive: Listener hears the sound
8. Decode: Listener interprets sound as language
9. Connect: Listener receives communicated idea

Question 6

Noise

Answer 6

Interference in the communication chain

Question 7

Lexicon

Answer 7

A mental repository of linguistic information about words and other lexical expressions, including their form, meaning, morphological, and syntactic properties. As part of a descriptive, not mental, grammar, the lexicon is the representation of the mental lexicon.

Question 8

Mental grammar

Answer 8

The mental representation of grammar. The knowledge that a speaker has about the linguistic units and rules of his native language.

Question 9

Language variation

Answer 9

The property of languages having different ways to express the same meanings in different contexts according to factors such as geography, social class, gender, etc.

Question 10

Descriptive grammar

Answer 10

Objective description of a speaker’s knowledge of a language based on the use of the language.

Question 11

Evidence that writing and language are not the same

Answer 11

1. Archeological evidence - indicates writing is a later historical development than spoke language
2. Writing does not exist everywhere that spoken language does
3. Writing must be taught
4. Writing can be edited

Question 12

Reasons some people believe writing to be superior to speech (list 3 reasons)

Answer 12

1. Writing can be edited
2. Writing must be taught
3. Writing is more physically stable

Question 13

Prescriptive grammar

Answer 13

A set of rules designed to give instructions regarding the socially embedded notion of the “correct” or “proper: way to speak or write.

Question 14

Prescribe

Answer 14

Rules that tell you how to speak or write

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. Discreteness
8. Displacement
9. Productivity

Question 16

Mode of communication

Answer 16

Means through which a message is transmitted for any given communication system

Question 17

Semanticity

Answer 17

Property of having signals that convey a meaning shared by all communication systems

Question 18

Pragmatic function

Answer 18

The useful purpose of any given communication system

Question 19

Interchangeability

Answer 19

The property of communication system by which all individuals have the ability to both transmit and review messages.

Question 20

Cultural transmission

Answer 20

Property of a communication system referring to the fact that at least some aspects of it are learned through interaction with other users of the system

Question 21

Arbitrariness

Answer 21

In relation to language, refers to the fact that a word’s meaning is not predictable from its linguistic form, nor is its form dictated by its meaning.

Question 22

Linguistic sign

Answer 22

The combination of a linguistic form and meaning.

Question 23

Convention

Answer 23

Something that is established, commonly agreed upon, or operating in certain way according to common practice.

Question 24

Nonarbitrariness

Answer 24

Direct correspondence between physical properties of a form and the meaning that the form refers to.

Question 25

Iconic

Answer 25

Relationship between form and meaning such that the form of a word bears a resemblance to its meaning.

Question 26

Onomatopoeia

Answer 26

Iconic use of words that are imitative of sounds occurring in nature or that have meaning that are associated with such sounds

Question 27

Conventionalized

Answer 27

Something that is established, commonly agreed upon, or operating in certain way according to common practice.

Question 28

Sound symbolism

Answer 28

Phenomenon by which certain sounds are evocative of a particular meaning

Question 29

Discreteness

Answer 29

The property of communication systems by which complex messages may be built up out of smaller parts.

Question 30

Displacement

Answer 30

The property of some communication systems that allow them to be used to communicate about things, actions, and ideas that are not present at the place or time where communication is taking place.

Question 31

Productivity

Answer 31

The capacity of a communication system (unique to human language) for novel messages built out of discrete units to be produced and understood.

Question 32

Modality

Answer 32

Means through which a message is transmitted for any given communication system

Question 33

Myths about signed languages (list 4)

Answer 33

1. Sign languages derive from spoken languages
2. Sign languages are manual codes
3. Sign language are pantomime

Question 34

Differences between codes and languages (list 4)

Answer 34

Code has no structure

Sign languages evolve naturally and independently of spoken languages