Vocabulary and Terminology

Question 1

Linguistic competence

Answer 1

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

Question 2

Linguistic performance

Answer 2

The observable use of language; actualization of one’s 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. Information source; 2. Transmitter; 3. Signal; 4. Receiver; and 5. Destination

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

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 their use of the language

Question 11

Evidence that writing and language are not the same

Answer 11

1. Spoken language exists everywhere, but writing does not; 2. You learn spoken language naturally, whereas you must teach someone writing; 3. Spoken language cannot be edited, once it is said, you cannot take it back, whereas writing can be changed before others see it; 4. Writing was developed before spoken language was developed

Question 12

Reasons some people believe writing to be superior to speech

Answer 12

1. Writing encodes spoken language into a physically preservable form; 2. Writing is more physically stable; and 3. Writing can be edited.

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

To lay down as a rule or course of action to be followed

Question 15

Charles Hockett’s nine design features

Answer 15

1. Mode of communication; 2. Semanticity; 3. Pragmatic function; 4. Interchangeability; 5. Cultural transmission; 6. Arbitrariness; 7. Discreteness; 8. Displacement; and 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 a communication system by which all individuals have the ability to both transmit and review messages

Question 20

Cultural tranmission

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 it linguistic form, nor is its form dictated by its meaning

Question 22

Linguistic sign

Answer 22

The combination of linguistic form and meaning

Question 23

Convention

Answer 23

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

Question 24

Nonarbitrariness

Answer 24

Direct correspondence between the 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

Onomatopia

Answer 26

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

Question 27

Conventionalized

Answer 27

Something that is established, commonly agreed upon, or operating in a 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 allows them to be used to communicate about things, actions, and ideas that are not present at the pace or time where communication is taking place

Question 31

Productivity

Answer 31

The capacity of a communication system 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 language

Answer 33

1. Signed language originally was derived from spoken language; 2. Signed languages do not have internal structure; 3. In sign language, words are completely iconic; and 4. Sign language is the same universally

Question 34

Difference between codes and languages

Answer 34

1. Codes do not have native speakers, languages do; 2. Codes have no structure but borrows it from the language it represents; 3. Word order is different; and 4. They each have their own structure