Vocabulary and Terminology

Question 1

linguistic competence

Answer 1

the unconscious knowledge of grammar that allows a speaker to use a language.

Question 2

linguistic performance

Answer 2

the ability to use and understand sentences in a language.

Question 3

performance error

Answer 3

errors made by someone who is learning a language that are too tired or rushed.

Question 4

speech communication chain

Answer 4

the way a message is transferred from speaker to listener.

Question 5

speech communication chain steps

Answer 5

Step 1: The speaker thinks about what to say Step 2: The message is put into words Step 3: Your brain starts to produce movements and sounds. Step 4: The sound waves are created. Step 5: The listener receives the sound waves. Step 6: The listeners brain analyzes the information just given to them.

Question 6

noise

Answer 6

a sound that can be considered unpleasant and loud.

Question 7

lexicon

Answer 7

the words used in a certain language or subject.

Question 8

mental grammar

Answer 8

grammar stored in the brain that allows someone to produce language that another person will understand.

Question 9

language variation

Answer 9

the differences between the varieties of language.

Question 10

descriptive grammar

Answer 10

rules about a language based on how the language is used.

Question 11

evidence that writing and language are not the same (list 4 reasons)

Answer 11

1. People start speaking within the first two years of life, while writing takes maybe up to 6-7 years to learn. 2. Speech makes it easier to get your point across. 3. Words can not be changed once written down, where as if words are not recorded, language can always change. 4. Words written can be read as often as you’d like, while speech can not.

Question 12

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

Answer 12

1. You can think out better what you’re writing. 2. Writing is a great way to remember things. 3. You are able to use proper grammar when writing.

Question 13

prescriptive grammar

Answer 13

Set of rules given on how to properly speak and write.

Question 14

prescribe

Answer 14

telling a speaker how they should or shouldn’t use a language.

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

the way a message in transmitted through any form of communication.

Question 17

semanticity

Answer 17

having signals that transmit a message.

Question 18

pragmatic function

Answer 18

useful purpose of all communication methods.

Question 19

interchangeability

Answer 19

communication system in which all individuals have the ability to give and receive messages.

Question 20

cultural transmission

Answer 20

System in which aspects of communicating are learned from other individuals.

Question 21

arbitrariness

Answer 21

absence of connection between a words meaning and how it sounds.

Question 22

linguistic sign

Answer 22

the combination of a linguistic form and its meaning

Question 23

convention

Answer 23

something that is established.

Question 24

nonarbitrariness

Answer 24

the physical properties of a form and the meaning of that form.

Question 25

iconic

Answer 25

describes a relationship between form and meaning.

Question 26

onomatopoeia

Answer 26

the imitation of a sound.

Question 27

conventionalized

Answer 27

adjective to describe a convention in society.

Question 28

sound symbolism

Answer 28

certain sounds are evocative of a certain meaning.

Question 29

discreteness

Answer 29

meaning language can be broken down into units.

Question 30

displacement

Answer 30

capability to communicate about subjects that are not present.

Question 31

productivity

Answer 31

limitless ability to use language.

Question 32

modality

Answer 32

mode of communication.

Question 33

myths about signed languages (list 4)

Answer 33

1. Signed language are codes. 2. They don’t have internal structure. 3. Signed language are all the same. 4. They are widely recognized.

Question 34

differences between codes and languages (list 4)

Answer 34

1. A code is constructed. 2. A code represents another language. 3. A language is transmitted easier. 4. A code borrows a structure from a language.