What Is Language?

Question 1

Define linguistics

Answer 1

The scientific study of language; multi-disciplinary

Question 2

Define arbitrariness

Answer 2

No “natural” connection between the form(sounds) and meaning(concept) of a word; relationship between words and objects is arbitrary

Question 3

Define duality

Answer 3

Human language is organised at two levels simultaneously: sound and meaning; sounds are meaningless by nature

Question 4

Define displacement

Answer 4

Human language does not relate to an immediate time and place only; allows us to talk about things happened in the past and will happen in future, and places

Question 5

Define productivity

Answer 5

Creating new expressions to describe new objects and situations; open-endedness

Question 6

Define cultural transmission

Answer 6

Human language is passed on from one generation to the next

Question 7

Define reflexivity

Answer 7

Humans can reflect on language as well as its uses using language

Question 8

Name the six key properties of language

Answer 8

Arbitrariness, duality, displacement, productivity, cultural transmission, reflexivity