U.1 Linguistics as a discipline

Question 1

Noam Chomsky, why study language?

Answer 1

• Language is a mirror of the mind. There are abstract concepts that cover its structure and are universal by biological necessity. Common elements must say sth bout human nature

Question 2

Language vs a language: definitions

Answer 2

• Language: cognitive faculty enables comm through complex structured symbolic systems.
• A language: a complex structured symbolic system shared by a community w function of comm

Question 3

Language dimensions

Answer 3

• Semiotic (syst. of signs)
• Biological phenomenon (happens phisically)
• Social (determines our identity and defines our social system. Rich people don’t speak like poor ones)

Question 4

Object study

Answer 4

It’s main object study is language, but since we can’t see this faculty we study in thorugh languages.

Question 5

Definition of linguistics

Answer 5

Science that studies human ability to produce and interpret language expressed through speaking, writing and signing. Every language constitutes potential data for research although writing has been traditionally priviledged.

Question 6

Linguist definition

Answer 6

A linguist is someone who studies and describes the structure and composition of language and/or languages in a methodical and rigorous manner.

Question 7

General vs Particular Linguistics

Answer 7

• General: Studies language as a faculty and language in its diversity
• Particular: a language or a language family in its specificity.

Question 8

Traditional vs modern conception of linguistics

Answer 8

• Traditional: The study of a language’s textual tradition, including textual criticism, linguistic description, and literary and cultural analysis.
• Modern: Modern conception of Philology (broad sense): interdisciplinary study of a language, its literature, and its culture. Literature and linguistics are overlapped, lit. being useful for language analysis.

Question 9

Origin of linguistics as a scientific discipline

Answer 9

Course in General Linguistics (Saussure, 1916) First time language studied thorugh concepts not related to literature or other sicences.

Question 10

Principles of modern Linguistics

Answer 10

• *Functionality: for a unit to be part of lang, it must have a specific function within the linguistic system
• Opposition :A linguistic unit gains its identity through its contrast or opposition to other units in the language system.
• Systematicity: Language is an organized and rule-governed system where every unit is part of the larger structure.
• Neutralization: Oppositions between linguistic units, are eliminated or blurred in specific contexts. E.g., writing [ˈɹaɪɾɪŋ] = riding [ˈɹaɪɾɪŋ

Question 11

Taxonomic vs theoretical conception of linguistics

Answer 11

• Taxonomic conception of Linguistics (observation, classification, conclusions).
  —- Objectivity in data selection.
  —-Consideration of oral, written and signed language.
  —-Linguistic introspection < empirical analysis.
• Theoretical conception of Linguistics (general theories about language).
  —-Descriptive, systematic and generalizing.

Question 12

Prescriptive vs Descriptive approach to linguistics

Answer 12

• Prescriptive: rule
• Descriptive: Describes