Cours 1 : Introduction

Question 1

scientific study of a language

Answer 1

a method of procedure that has characterised natural science since the 17th century

we apply a scientific method to the study of language

the method must be objective, replicable and falsifiable

Question 2

sociolinguistics

Answer 2

the study of the relationships between language and society

Question 3

prescriptive attitude

Answer 3

the teacher tells you how you should speak English, saying what is correct and what is incorrect

Question 4

descriptive attitude

Answer 4

linguists say what they observe in the regions where English is spoken

belief that language systems are shaped by their users

Question 5

5 linguistic levels interact with society

Answer 5

phonology (can’t-can’t)

morphology (3rd person “s”)

lexicon (elevator-lift)

syntax

semantics

Question 6

macro VS micro-linguistics

Answer 6

macro linguistics : differences between the way the US/UK speak

micro linguistics : why it is that Sam and Jane speak differently

Question 7

goal of the sociolinguists

Answer 7

finding a system (pattern) in the variation and making predictions about it