Language

Question 1

Is there a universal definition for Language?

Answer 1

No

Question 2

Defining language is like defining the term life. The exact characteristics have to be talked about. Currently ___ definitions (single/several) for language exist

Answer 2

Several

Question 3

(Symbol System) Every language that exists in ___ form chooses some symbols for its sounds Eg /k/ in English and ka in Hindi for similar sounds

Answer 3

Written

Question 4

( Symbol System) these symbols form an ____. According to a system, they join and form meaningful words.

Answer 4

Alphabet

Question 5

( Symbol system) A symbol is a concrete event or object that stands for something___Eg Cross ✝️for Christians

Answer 5

Abstract

Question 6

( Symbol System) Words are symbols for objects. give Eg

Answer 6

Table is a symbol for a wooden object on 4 legs

Question 7

( Symbol System) When someone wants to communicate, they put their message across in symbol form. The receiver shares a ___ with the sender and is able to interpret and understand the symbols.

Answer 7

Common understanding

Question 8

( Arbitrary) Is there one to one correspondence between a word structure and the object it stands for?

Answer 8

No

Question 9

( Arbitrary) There is a ___ established that can’t be easily changed. eg PEN is not spelled as NEP

Answer 9

Convention

Question 10

( Arbitrary) However language is still infinitely ___ and ____ to community needs eg Shakespeare modified stomach to mean courage & new words like Sputnik

Answer 10

Extendable, modifiable

Question 11

( Arbitrary) This nature of language allows ___ but it’s conventionality gives it ___

Answer 11

Change, stability

Question 12

( Animal communication) Language is possessed only by ___ as opposed to less developed animals.

Answer 12

Humans

Question 13

( Animal communication) Language is species ___ and ___

Answer 13

Specific, uniform

Question 14

( Animal communication) eg A bee can convey distance and source of nectar but not it’s quality
This shows which differing quality?

Answer 14

Infinite- Human language can convey infinite set of messages while animal language is limited

Question 15

( Animal communication) Eg distinguishing symbols of /k/ /t/ etc but not distinct symbols in long hums of bees
What differing quality does this show?

Answer 15

Discrete -Human langauge uses clearly distinguishable symbols while animal symbols are continuous

Question 16

( Animal communication) Eg a bees dance is the same as it was years ago.
What differing quality does this show?

Answer 16

Modifiable and extendable - Human language changes with time.

Question 17

( Animal communication) Eg RP English has 44 sounds that join to form many words. This doesn’t exist in a monkeys cry.
What differing quality does this show?

Answer 17

Complexity- Each sentence has its own structural complexity.

Question 18

( Animal communication) Eg The bees skill to dance is inherited and inbuilt. Each human child has to learn language from peers.
What differing quality is this?

Answer 18

Non-instinctive– The process of language acquisition is by humans

Question 19

( Animal communication) Eg when a cat meows it related to its immediate time and place, not what will happen in two days.
What differing quality does this show?

Answer 19

Displacement- Human language is capable of forming messages related to past, present,future, near, distant ie Multidimensional setting.

Question 20

( Animal communication) Displacement enables humans to talk even of ___ and enables creation of ___

Answer 20

Imaginary things, fiction

Question 21

( Vocal ) Language is primarily speech from ___symbols

Answer 21

Oral-auditory

Question 22

( Vocal ) A speaker produces a string of ___ conveyed through air to the listener, who through their ___ recieves sound waves and conveys these to the ___ to interpret the symbols.

Answer 22

Oral sounds , hearing organs, Brain

Question 23

( Vocal) in the beginning, language must’ve been vocal sounds only.Writing came later as a __ of the sounds Eg Letter k to represent /k/ sound

Answer 23

Graphic representation

Question 24

( Vocal) A child too learns to speak first. The total quantum of speech is
___ than the total quantum of writing.

Answer 24

Larger

Question 25

( Vocal) What is the one advantage writing has over speech? How has this advantage changed in modern times?

Answer 25

1) Writing can be preserved in books. 2) But in modern times with invention of cassette and phone to record speech, primacy of speech is again seen.

Question 26

Each sentence has a structure, made by the brain. The brain can produce infinite and creative sentences from the limited set of sounds and symbols in a language. This property is called?

Answer 26

Productivity

Question 27

( System of Systems) Language is not ____, it is ordered

Answer 27

Chaotic

Question 28

( System of Systems) Language systems are at 2 levels, which?

Answer 28

Phonological and syntactical

Question 29

( System of systems) at phonological level some sounds of a langauge have a fixed combination to form ___, and at syntactical level words combine to form ___ according to the grammar framework.

Answer 29

Words, sentences

Question 30

( System of systems) Thus langauge is a system of systems as it operates at multiple levels. This property is also called __

Answer 30

Duality

Question 31

( Means Of Communication) One person can communicate to another person as they share a common ___.

Answer 31

Code

Question 32

( Means of communication) Many systems of communication ie Maps, smiles etc depend on langauge. It controls a person's ____. On a group level it carries civilization as ___ is carried through langauge.

Answer 32

Activity, human philosophy is carried

Question 33

( Means of communication) as language is present in all human activities we are called ___(talking animals).

Answer 33

Homo loquens

Question 34

( Means of communication) Human language permits a speaker to be a listener and vice versa without impairing functioning. This property is?

Answer 34

Reciprocity

Question 35

( Social Behaviour) A human child learns to speak the language of the linguistic community they're placed in Eg?

Answer 35

Chinese infant in Indian family

Question 36

( Social Behaviour) Social behaviour through language allows ___ in culture.

Answer 36

Participation

Question 37

Characteristics of LANGAUGE: how many points?

Answer 37

8