Sep 6, 11, 13, 18 and 20 Flashcards
What is linguistics?
the study of language
What is a language?
a system of sounds, words, sentences, gestures, and/or meanings
What is language used for?
to communicate
What is the difference between language and a language?
system of communication
vs.
specific system common to a group of people
What does linguistics see language as?
a system
What does applied linguistics see language as?
a context
What are areas of context in applied linguistics?
language learning and teaching bilingualism discourse writing literacy language and power
Language is (1)…
a complex system
Language is (2)…
uniquely human
Language is (3)…
a cognitive science (of the mind)
What is IPA?
the International Phonetic Alphabet
What is involved with language and the mind?
sound that pertains to meaning
What are components of a language?
sounds, words, sentences and meanings
what are rules of a language?
explains patterns
What do English speakers of linguistics study beyond English?
language universals and differences
What is linguistic knowledge (mainly)?
the relationship between sound and meaning
What is linguistic knowledge (2)?
mostly arbitrary
What is linguistic knowledge (3)?
sometimes iconic
e.g. onomatopoeia (buzz), sound symbolism (snot, snooze relating to the nose)
what is phonetics and phonology?
the study of sounds
What are the specific components of phonetics (1st)?
inventory
e.g. sock vs. Bach
What are the specific components of phonetics (2nd)?
combinations
e.g. (spaff vs. *fsap)
What does the * symbol refer to in linguistics?
an ungrammatical word or phrase
e.g. *dog sleeps the
What is morphology?
the study of words
What are the specific components of morphology (1st)?
lexicon (mental dictionary)
What are the specific components of morphology (2nd)?
lexical categories (noun, verb, adjective, adverb…)
What are the specific components of morphology (3rd)?
internal structure
- understand: “ungiraffelike”
- construct: “treat-ment”
What is syntax?
sentence structure
e.g. The groom carries the bride vs.
The bride carries the groom
(a picture of the latter, so the 2nd sentence makes sense)
What is the typical syntax for English?
subject-verb-object
What language syntax uses subject-object-verb?
Latin
What is semantics?
word meaning (that speakers agree on), as well as word relations (e.g. synonyms, antonyms, etc.), as well as sentence meaning (truth, anomaly - not making sense, metaphor, etc), sentence relations (logic trails ===
e. g. 1. John has a poodle, therefore John has a dog.
2. John has a dog.
* John has a poodle
What is the use of language?
pragmatics, or language in context
e.g. statements that can be factual, or ironic (“that was a really smart thing to do”
What are the components and rules of a language?
grammar
What exists in the minds of its speakers, and is of most interest to linguists, as opposed to spoken grammar?
mental grammar (competence)
Who uses mental grammar?
supposedly just humans
What does mental grammar enable us to do?
allows us to form and interpret words and sentences as well as allows us to communicate
Who penned that language is unique to humans and develops too rapidly to be simply learned?
Noam Chomsky
What is universal grammar (1)?
innate set of linguistic principles shared by all humans
What is universal grammar (2)?
biologically programmed to learn language
What is a specific language?
universal grammar + language input data
Does mental competence and performance correspond?
not always
Why do linguists study competence?
because people make mistakes (affected by memory, slips of the tongue, etc.), and it is interesting to learn the science of how the brain manifests particular language to communicate
What is prescriptive grammar?
prescribed by grammarians, and considered judgmental of a language
What is descriptive grammar?
describes one’s linguistic knowledge or rules according to particular dialect and does not suggest corrections but studies are done on what it is
What is AAE, and MAE?
African American English, and Mainstream American English
What is a linguistic perspective to the AAE and MAE video (AAE Jeopardy)?
descriptive grammar’s features, and differences betwen AAE and MAE
What is a applied linguistic perspective to the AAE and MAE video?
first language and second language acquisition and sociolinguistics
What kind of verb is “to be”?
a copula verb
What languages are similar to AAE?
Japanese (no 3rd person singular agreement (“My grandpa cook dinner every night”, no verb “to be” (“He funny”), and double negatives used (“We don’t have nothin’ to do”), and Dyirbal (Australia) has no past tense markers (“Last night, we bake cookies”)
What are linguistic subdisciplines?
first language acquisition second language acquisition sociolinguistics psycholinguistics endangered languages language and computers forensic linguistics
What is the theory of grammar?
a process of deduction in order to figure out a speaker’s competence based on the speaker’s performance (without being able to observe mental grammar directly)
What are the rules of the scientific method for linguistics?
a. construct theory based on linguistic data
b. test theory on more data
c. revise theory if necessary, and go back to b
What example did we use for studying the scientific study of language?
"How do we form the English plural?" e.g. cup (s) car (z) church (iz)...
What is phonetics?
the study of speech sounds
what is articulatory phonetics?
the study of sound PRODUCTION
What is acoustic phonetics?
study of speech transmission and physical properties
what is auditory phonetics?
study of speech perception
In articulatory phonetics, how do letters differ?
in the place and manner of their articulation
How is sound produced?
through the movement of air
Where does sound production start?
from the lungs as an air source
Following the expulsion of air from the lungs, how does sound continue in its production?
through the larynx (sound source)
Following the expulsion of air through the larynx, how does sound continue in its production?
through the pharynx (acts as a sound filter)
Following the expulsion of air through the pharynx, , how does sound continue in its production?
through the oral/nasal cavity (acts as other filters)
What is the order of physical structures used in sound production?
lips teeth tongue alveolar ridge nostril nasal cavvity hard palate oral cavity soft palate uvula pharynx epiglottis larynx glottis lungs
What is the phrase to remember when thinking about the various parts of the sound production system?
lips - let's teeth - try tongue - talking alveolar ridge - about nose - new nasal cavity - nighttime hard palate - habits oral cavity - or soft palate - stuff uvula - understood pharynx - private, epiglottis - even larynx - labelled glottis - generally lungs - iLlegal
What is the speech production system phrase?
Let’s go leave everything plastered unless very obviously high, ‘n not attempt to try leaving
When the vocal folds are closed, is it voiced or voiceless (glottal state)?
when they’re closed it’s voiced (the folds vibrate)
When the vocal folds are open, is it voiced or voiceless (glottal state)?
it is voiceless because the folds do NOT vibrate
Where is the larynx
at the top of the trachea (wind pipe)
What is the larynx mostly made of?
mostly cartilage
What does the larynx contain?
vocal folds (2 bands of muscle)
What do the vocal folds do?
modulate air flow
What is the glottis?
an opening between the vocal folds
What is the pharynx?
it connects the larynx to the oral cavity
What is a whisper?
a form of voicelessness
How are whispers created?
using anterior (front) portions of vocal folds which close together
What are the two major classes of sounds for universal grammar?
consonants and vowels
How are consonants created?
with the complete closure or narrowing of the vocal cords
How is airflow used when creating consonants?
airflow is blocked momentarily or restricted
Are consonants voiced or voiceless?
both
How are vowels created?
with little obstruction in the vocal tract
Are vowels voiced or voiceless?
mostly voiced
Are vowels short and quiet or long and loud?
long and loud
What do vowels make up in a sentence?
the nucleus of the syllable/s
What is the IPA?
a universal system for transcribing speech developed by the International Phonetic Association
What symbols are mostly used in IPA?
mostly those of the Roman alphabet
What symbols are used in addition to the Roman alphabet?
ʃ, θ, ð, ʌ, ɛ, ʊ
shh, theta, thy, ah, eh, oh
What is the major attraction of the IPA?
one sound equals one symbol
How does the oral system differ in the IPA from the written system?
in the former, one sound equals one symbol, whereas in the written system it can differ
What is a written system example of one sound with different letters?
i, ei, ie, ee, …
What is a written system example of one letter, different sounds?
c, s
What is a written system example of one sound, different combo of letters?
ea, oe, …
What is a written system example of one letter, a combo of sounds?
x, kx,
What is a written system example of one letter, no sound?
pt (“t”), ps (“s”)
What is are the advantages of the IPA (1)?
spelling is irrelevant
What is are the advantages of the IPA (2)?
it is consistent across all languages
What is the equivalent in IPA for North American phonetics for š?
ʃ (“sh”)
What is the equivalent in IPA for North American phonetics for ž?
ʒ (“rouGE”)
What is the equivalent in IPA for North American phonetics for č?
ʧ (“CHeddar”)?
What is the equivalent in IPA for North American phonetics for j̆?
ʤ (“minGE”)
What is the purpose of syllabic consonants?
forms the nucleus of a syllable
What are different versions of phonetic symbols?
diacritic symbols ?
How are consonants articulated?
through the restriction or closure in the vocal tract
How is the production of consonants determined (1)?
by the place of articulation in the oral cavity
How is the production of consonants determined (2)?
through the manner of articulation (how airstream is affected)
What is bilabial articulation?
lips are pressed together
What is labiodental articulation?
upper teeth and lower lip meet
What is interdental articulation?
the tongue and the teeth meet
What is alveolar articulation?
the front part of the tongue hits the alveolar ridge (the hard ridge on the roof of the mouth)
What is post-alveolar articulation?
the tongue hits just behind the alveolar ridge
What is palatal articulation?
the body of the tongue hits the hard palate
What is velar articulation?
the back of the tongue hits the velum (soft area at the back of the roof o fthe mouth)
e.g., [x] Bach
What are the different types of velar articulation?
labiovelar [w] and rounded velar [ʍ]
What is glottal articulation?
vocal folds are the primary articulators
How can glottal articulation differ?
glottis opens completely [h], or the vocal folds are tightly closed [ʔ like “uh_oh”]
How are these symbols articulated the same? [t], [d], [n], [s], [z], [l], [ɹ]
they have the same place of articulation
How are these symbols articulated differently? [t], [d], [n], [s], [z], [l], [ɹ]
through a different manner of articulation (how airstream is modified in vocal tract)
What comprises a voiced manner?
vocal folds CLOSE together causing air to vibrate
e.g., [b] [w] [d] [z]
What comprises a voiceless manner?
vocal folds are pulled apart allowing air to pass directly through the glottis
e.g., [p] [ʍ] [t] [s]
What are phonetic stops?
the airsteam is stopped completely in the oral cavity
What are phonetic stops a.k.a.?
plosives
What are the types of manners that use stops?
bilabial
alveolar
velar
glottal
What are fricatives?
that which is nearly completed obstructed of the airstream, with a narrow passage causing friction
What are the types of manners that use fricatives?
labiodental interdental alveolar post-alveolar glottal (most common)
What are affricates?
that which the stop closure is immediately followed by a slow release of fricative-type closure
What is the type of fricative-type closure?
post-alveolar
What is the nasal manner?
velum is lowered, allowing air to escape through the nose but is obstructed in the oral cavity (nasal stops)
What are types of nasals?
bilabial
alveolar
velar
What are approximanants?
that which involves the constriction of the vocal tract but has no turbulence
Are approximants more or less sonorous than most other consonants?
more
What are types of approximants?
liquids
glides
What are lateral liquids?
air escapes laterally over lowered sides of the tongue
What is a type of lateral liquid?
alveolar
[l]
What are retroflex liquids?
tongue is rounded and air escapes around the tongue
What is a type of retroflex liquid?
alveolar [ɹ]
What are glides?
only a slight closure of articulators which is always preceded or followed directly by a vowel
What is a “semivowel”?
a more open symbol that would be a vowel
What are types of glides?
palatal
bilabial
labiovelar
What are types of flaps?
similar to a stop, it is a very quick closure
What is a type of flap?
alveolar [ɾ] butter, ladder
What is the list of place of articulation for consonants?
Bilabial Labiodental Interdental Alveolar Post-alveolar Palatal Velar Glottal
What is the list of manner of articulation for consonants?
Stops Fricatives Affricatives Nasal Lateral Liquid Retroflex Liquid Glide Flap
What is the place and manner for p?
voiceless bilabial stop
What is the place and manner for n?
voiced velar nasal
What is the place and manner for d?
voiced alveolar stop
What is the place and manner for h?
voiceless glottal fricative
What is the place and manner for j?
voiced alveolar glide
Major phonetic classes:
place of articulation
manner of articulation
articulatory class
articulatory parameter (v)
obstruction of air flow (obstruent, sonorant)
obstruction of air flow (consonantal, nonconsonantal)
total obstruction of air in oral cavity (continuant, noncontinuant)
What are the labials (articulatory classes)?
bilabials, labiodentals, labiovelars
What are the coronals (articulatory classes)?
interdentals, alveolars, post-alveolars, palatals
What are the anteriors (articulatory classes)?
labials, interdentals, alveolars
What are the sibilants/stridents (articulatory classes)?
[s], [z], [ʃ], [ʒ], [ʧ], [ʤ]
What are obstruents?
full or almost full obstruction of air in sounds
What are examples of obstruents?
stops
fricatives
affricates
What are sonorants?
no obstruction of air - singable
What are examples of sonorants?
nasals
liquids
gilides
all vowels
What are consonantals?
some obstruction to air flow
What are examples of consonantals?
all consonants except glides:
obstruents
nasals
liquids
What are nonconsonantals?
no obstruction
What are examples of nonconsonantals?
glides
all vowels
What are continuants?
no total obstruction in oral cavity
What are examples of continuants?
fricatives
liquids
glides
all vowels
What are noncontinuants?
total obstruction in oral cavity
What are examples of noncontinuants?
stops
nasals
affricates
What are the articulatory classes?
LCAS labials coronals anteriors sibilants/stridents
What are the articulatory parameters?
specific to vowels: high, mid or low front, central or back rounded or unrounded tense or lax
What are obstruents?
full or almost full obstruction of air flow
What are sonorants?
little or no obstruction of air flow
What are examples of sonorants?
nasals
liquids
glides
vowels
What are examples of obstruents?
stops
fricatives
affricates
What are consonantals?
obstruents (stops, fricatives, affricates)
nasals
liquids
What are nonconsonantals?
glides
vowels
What are noncontinuants?
total obstruction wsomewhere in the oral cavity (even if air escapes through the nose)
What are examples of noncontinuants?
stops
nasals
africates
What are continuants?
no obstruction in the oral cavity
What are examples of continuants?
fricatives
liquids
glides
vowels
How do you write in IPA: futon?
[ɸʊton]
How do you write in IPA: kayak?
[qajaq]
What are high vowels?
Blade of tongue raised [i] he, be [ɪ] it, lip Back of tongue raised [u] poodle [ʊ] foot, put
What are mid vowels?
Tongue neither raised nor lowered [e] pear [ɛ] pet [ʌ] bus [o] bore [ə] resign
What are low vowels?
Tongue is lowered
[æ] bat
[ɑ] pot
[a]+V fight [aɪ]
What are rounded vowels?
Rounded: [u], [ʊ], [o]
What are unrounded vowels?
Unrounded: [i], [ɪ], [e], [ɛ], [æ], [ʌ], [ə], [ɑ], [a]
What are English unrounded vowels?
Unrounded: all front & central vowels and [ɑ]
What are English rounded vowels?
Rounded: all back vowels except for [ɑ]
What are tense vowels?
Greater constriction in vocal tract
Tongue muscles tenser
Longer duration
[i], [e], [u], [o], [a], [ɑ]
What are lax vowels?
Less constriction in vocal tract
Tongue muscles less tense
[ɪ], [ɛ], [ʌ], [ə], [ʊ], [ɔ], [æ]
What are dipthongs?
vowel changes in quality within a syllable
tongue moves toward glide position
longer than simple vowels
What is a word that uses the IPA vowels [aɪ]?
rye, tide
What is a word that uses the IPA vowels[oɪ]?
boy, point
What is a word that uses the IPA vowels[eɪ]
pay, paint
What is a word that uses the IPA vowels[aʊ]
brow, pout
What is a word that uses the IPA vowels[oʊ]
flow, boat
What is the order from left to right for Canadian English vowels?
i I e E ae e^ a aI aU oI oU a o U u
how would you describe u by articulatory parameters?
high back tense rounded vowel
What are the descriptions for articulatory parameters for vowels?
height
retraction
tenseness
rounding
What are the descriptions for articulatory parameters for ae?
high, front, lax, unrounded
What are the descriptions for articulatory parameters for e?
medium, front, tense, unrounded
What are the descriptions for articulatory parameters for i?
high front tense unrounded
What are the descriptions for articulatory parameters for I?
high front lax unrounded
What are the descriptions for articulatory parameters for eI?
medium front tense unrounded
What are the descriptions for articulatory parameters for E?
medium front lax unrounded
What are the descriptions for articulatory parameters for e? ae?
low front lax unrounded
What are suprasegmentals?
prosodic properties, distrinct from place or manner of articulation
What are the examples of prosodic properties?
suprasegmentals are: length intonation tone stress
Are suprasegmentals more or less than one segment?
more than one segment
What is length for suprasegmentals? Is it used in English?
length of vowels and consonants may affect word meaning
not typically used in English
What are long consonants? Are they used for English?
geminates
not typically used in English; more like in Italian
What is pitch and how do you control it?
the scale of voice according to how your vocal folds’ tension is controlled and the amount of air passing through the glottis
What do tense vocal folds give you (re:pitch)?
they vibrate faster, and greater air pressure in the glottis usually means a higher pitch
What do more tense vocal folds give you (re: pitch)?
less tense vocal folds vibrate slower, and with lower air pressure usually means a lower pitch
What are two kinds of controlled pitch movement?
intonation and tone
What is significant for speech: relative or absolute pitch?
relative (refers to that within a sentence, rather than how high or low your speech is in general)
What is intonation?
the pattern of pitch movements across a stretch of speech
What are 2 phenomena associated with intonation?
pitch accents and edge tones
What is pitch accent?
tone change in the middle of an utterance which indicates prominence
e.g., I want to go to MY house vs.
I WANT to go to my house
may be implied in a different manner
What is edge tone?
a tone change at the END of a phrase
sentence ends with a continuation drop, whereas questions end with a continuation rise
Is differences in pitch associated with differences in word meaning in English?
not typically
more like for Nigerian, Thai, etc.
Are the majjority of world languages tone or non-tone languages?
tone languages
e.g., africa, Asia (Chinese, Thai, Burmese…), Native North American languages
What is stressed in suprasegmentals?
combined effects of pitch, length and loudness that emphasizes particular syllables
How do syllables’ stress vary in sentences?
they are focused on the primary, secondary, penultimate, unstressed (the type of emphasis, not the order it’s in)
