Vocabulary and Terminology

Question 1

linguistic competence

Answer 1

Linguistic competence is the system of linguistic knowledge possessed by native speakers of a language.

Question 2

linguistic performance

Answer 2

The actual use of language in concrete situations.

Question 3

performance error

Answer 3

When a speaker unintentionally produces an incorrect form of a language despite having an understanding of the correct forms. Sometimes caused by distraction or memory lapse.

Question 4

speech communication chain

Answer 4

The Speech Chain is the transformation of an intention in the mind of the speaker to an understanding of that intention in the mind of the listener. via articulation, sound, hearing, and perception

Question 5

speech communication chain steps

Answer 5

Speech communication chain steps: Grammatical Code, the Phonological Code, articulation, sound, hearing and perception.

Question 6

communication noise

Answer 6

Communication noise refers to negative influences on effective communication and its interpretation. It includes psychological noise, physical noise, physiological and semantic noise

Question 7

lexicon

Answer 7

The complete set of meaningful units (words) in a language.

Question 8

mental grammar

Answer 8

Mental grammar is the generative grammar stored in the brain that allows a speaker to produce language that other speakers can understand.

Question 9

language variation

Answer 9

The term linguistic variation (or simply variation) refers to regional, social, or contextual differences in the ways that a particular language is used.

Question 10

descriptive grammar

Answer 10

A descriptive grammar is a set of rules about language based on how it is actually used. In descriptive grammar, there is no right or wrong language. (compare prescriptive grammar).

Question 11

4 reasons writing and language are not the same.
#1

Answer 11

1. Acquisition. People everywhere start speaking during the first two years of life; many of the abilities involved are probably inborn rather than learned. Learning to write typically builds on learning to speak.

Question 12

4 reasons writing and language are not the same.
#2

Answer 12

2. Age. Speech goes back to human beginnings, perhaps a million years ago. Writing is relatively recent, however; it was first invented by the Sumerians, in Mesopotamia, around 3200 B.C.

Question 13

4 reasons writing and language are not the same.
#3

Answer 13

3. Universality. Humans everywhere can speak. But before the Sumerian invention, people were nonliterate. Even now there are many nonliterate groups and many nonliterate people in officially literate societies.

Question 14

4 reasons writing and language are not the same.
#4

Answer 14

4. Standardization. Spoken languages have dialects—forms varying across geographical areas and social groups. But in complex societies that use writing, the needs of communication encourage moves toward a single written norm.

Question 15

3 reasons some people believe writing to be superior to speech. #1

Answer 15

1. Grammar. Written language, because of its permanence and standardization, shows slower and less sweeping changes. Spoken language, everywhere and always, undergoes a continual change of which speakers may be relatively unaware.

Question 16

3 reasons some people believe writing to be superior to speech. #2

Answer 16

2. Graphocentrism: Some people privilege seeing above hearing. (see Phonocentrism for a counterargument.)

Question 17

3 reasons some people believe writing to be superior to speech. #3

Answer 17

3. Prestige: Written language is associated with political and economic power, admired literature, and educational institutions, all of which lend it high prestige.

Question 18

prescriptive grammar

Answer 18

A prescriptive grammar is a set of rules about language based on how people think language should be used.

Question 19

prescribe

Answer 19

To lay down rules i.e. prescriptive grammar.

Question 20

Charles Hockett’s nine design features.

Answer 20

1. Mode of Communication
2. Broadcast Transmission/Directional Reception
3. Transitoriness (rapid fading)
4. Interchangeability
5. Total feedback
6. Specialization
7. Semanticity
8. Arbitrariness
9. Discreteness

Question 21

mode of communication

Answer 21

Refers to the idea that speaking/hearing is the mode humans use for language. Includes other channels of language, such as tactile-visual or chemical-olfactory.

Question 22

semanticity

Answer 22

Specific sound signals are directly tied to certain meanings.

Question 23

pragmatic function

Answer 23

Pragmatic function refers to the use of language and messages in communicative situations.

Question 24

interchangeability

Answer 24

The idea that humans can give and receive identical linguistic signals.

Question 25

cultural transmission

Answer 25

How humans, usually as children, learn to speak by interacting with experienced language users.

Question 26

arbitrariness

Answer 26

There is no intrinsic or logical connection between a sound form (signal) and its meaning. Whatever name a human language attributes an object is purely arbitrary.

Question 27

language sign

Answer 27

Any unit of language (morpheme, word, phrase, or sentence) used to designate objects or phenomena of reality.

Question 28

displacement

Answer 28

The idea that humans can talk about things that are not physically present or that don’t even exist.

Question 29

productivity

Answer 29

The idea that language-users can create and understand novel utterances.

Question 30

convention

Answer 30

A principle or norm that has been adopted regarding the use of and definition of a specific term.

Question 31

nonarbitrariness

Answer 31

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

Question 32

iconic

Answer 32

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

Question 33

onomatopoeia

Answer 33

Iconic use of words that are imitative of sounds occuring in nature or that have meanings that are associated with such sounds. i.e. gurgle, mumble, and belch

Question 34

conventionalized

Answer 34

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

Question 35

sound symbolism

Answer 35

Phenomenon by which certain sounds are evocative of a particular meaning

Question 36

discreteness

Answer 36

The use of finite means to express an unlimited array of thoughts.

Question 37

displacement

Answer 37

The idea that humans can talk about things that are not physically present or that do not even exist.

Question 38

productivity

Answer 38

The idea that language-users can create and understand novel utterances.

Question 39

modality

Answer 39

The means through which a message is transmitted for any given communication system.

Question 40

myths about signed languages (list 4)

Answer 40

1. Because it does not use spoken language it is not considered language.
2. There is one, universal sign language and when learned one can communicate with any other signed language.
3. Sign language is static and does not evolve like spoken languages.
4. Only deaf people use sign language.

Question 41

differences between codes and languages (list 4)

Answer 41

1. Code can be used where language would be impossible i.e. semaphore flags, Morse
2. Code can be used for brevity i.e. LOL
3. Code can be used to protect secrets i.e. cryptic
4. Communication systems for sensory impairments, such as sign language for deaf people and braille for blind people, are based on movement or tactile codes.