Vocabulary and Terminology Flashcards
linguistic competence
the ideal language system that enables speakers to produce and understand an infinite number of sentences in their language, and to distinguish grammatical sentences from ungrammatical sentences
linguistic performance
the actual use of language in concrete situations
performance error
an unintended deviation from the immanent rules of a language variety made by a second language learner
speech communication chain
the connection(s) between a talker and a listener via an auditory, a visual and/or an electric channel
speech communication chain steps
speech communication chain steps
noise
a sound, especially one that is loud or unpleasant or that causes disturbance
lexicon
the vocabulary of a person, language, or branch of knowledge.
mental grammar
the generative grammar stored in the brain that allows a speaker to produce language that other speakers can understand
language variation
a characteristic of language: there is more than one way of saying the same thing.
descriptive grammar
a set of rules about language based on how it is actually used
evidence that writing and language are not the same
Writing is usually permanent and written texts cannot usually be changed once they have been printed/written out.
Speech is usually transient, unless recorded, and speakers can correct themselves and change their utterances as they go along.
A written text can communicate across time and space for as long as the particular language and writing system is still understood.
Speech is usually used for immediate interactions.
Written language tends to be more complex and intricate than speech with longer sentences and many subordinate clauses. The punctuation and layout of written texts also have no spoken equivalent. However some forms of written language, such as instant messages and email, are closer to spoken language.
Spoken language tends to be full of repetitions, incomplete sentences, corrections and interruptions, with the exception of formal speeches and other scripted forms of speech, such as news reports and scripts for plays and films.
reasons some people believe writing to be superior to speech
Speaking is harder in many ways than writing because it is performance.
Writing must be self contained: there is no body language or vocal emphasis as everything must be in the words themselves
You can perform it again to improve on mistakes
When you finish an essay, it is done forever
prescriptive grammar
a set of rules about language based on how people think language should be used
prescribe
recommend (a substance or action) as something beneficial
Charles Hockett’s nine design features
Mode of communication Semanticity Pragmatic function Interchangeability Cultural transmission Arbitrariness Discreteness Displacement
mode of communication
visual, linguistic, spatial, aural, and gestural
semanticity
the quality that a linguistic system has of being able to convey meanings, in particular by reference to the world of physical reality.
pragmatic function
is the meaning a speaker wishes to convey to the person they are speaking to (the addressee)
interchangeability
the quality of being capable of exchange or interchange
cultural transmission
the process through which cultural elements, in the form of attitudes, values, beliefs, and behavioral scripts, are passed onto and taught to individuals and groups.
arbitrariness
the quality of being based on random choice or personal whim, rather than any reason or system
linguistic sign
an abstract structure whose instances participate in a linguistic system, or language
convention
a way in which something is usually done, especially within a particular area or activity
non-arbitrariness
not subject to individual determination
iconic
relating to or of the nature of an icon.
onomatopoeia
the formation of a word from a sound associated with what is named
conventionalized
represent in a traditional or conventional way
sound symbolism
the partial representation of the sense of a word by its sound, as in bang, fizz, and slide
discreteness
he state of being several and distinct. separateness, severalty, distinctness. separation - the state of lacking unity.
displacement
the moving of something from its place or position
productivity
a measure of efficiency of a person completing a task
modality
a particular mode in which something exists or is experienced or expressed
myths about signed languages
There is only one sign language
Sign languages are not real languages
All deaf people sign
Signing hinders learning speech
differences between codes and languages
Code is a finite set of rules for getting specific outputs from specific inputs
Though language is sometimes a rule-based activity, it is not defined by rules — it defines rules and pretty much everything else
