Vocab/Term module 2

Question 1

linguistic competence

Answer 1

the ability to do something successfully or efficiently.

Question 2

linguistic performance

Answer 2

1. the action or process of carrying out or accomplishing an action, task, or function.

Question 3

performance error

Answer 3

errors made by learners when they are tired or hurried

Question 4

speech communication chain

Answer 4

Describes stages in speech where a message moves from the mind of a speaker to the mind of the listener

Question 5

speech communication chain steps

Answer 5

1. Sender has a thought, the thought must be encoded
2. Selection of words - lexicon is inventory of words that represents your thoughts, you pull from it to form words/phrases and combine them
3. Following Rules - use syntax to properly phrase thoughts
4. Nerve Impulses - signals get transported through neural pathways to motor nerves
5. Muscle Movements - nerves driving our vocal muscles to produce sound which then activates the lungs, moves tongue to articulate, the lips, the hand, and your face
6. Sound Waves - when noise comes out you are producing sound waves

Question 6

noise

Answer 6

1. a sound, especially one that is loud or unpleasant or that causes disturbance.
2. Noise is unwanted sound considered unpleasant, loud or disruptive to hearing

Question 7

lexicon

Answer 7

the vocabulary of a person, language, or branch of knowledge.

Question 8

mental grammar

Answer 8

Mental grammar is the generative grammar stored in the brain that allows a speaker to produce language that other speakers can understand

Question 9

language variation

Answer 9

Variation is a characteristic of language: there is more than one way of saying the same thing. Speakers may vary pronunciation, word choice, or morphology and syntax.

Question 10

descriptive grammar

Answer 10

a set of rules about language based on how it is actually used

Question 11

prescriptive grammar

Answer 11

a set of rules based on how people think language should be used.

Question 12

evidence that writing and language are not the same (list 4 reasons)

Answer 12

1. Language is a system of communication that relies on verbal or non-verbal codes to transfer information. Communication is a way of interchanging messages or information between two or more people, focusing on the message.
2. Language is a tool of communication. Communication is a process of transferring messages.
3. Language changes dynamically, as new words can be created. Communication is considered static, as its basic steps remain unchanged.
4. The basics of communication do not change. However, new words are added to the dictionary of language almost daily.

Question 13

what are reasons some people believe writing to be superior to speech (list 3 reasons)

Answer 13

1. speaking is informal while written is more formal
2. speech is almost entirely synchronous while written communication is almost entirely asynchronous
3. written communication is generally archived and recorded for later retrieval, while spoken communication is generally not recorded

Question 14

prescribe

Answer 14

To lay down a guide, direction, or rule

Question 15

Charles Hockett’s nine design features

Answer 15

1. Vocal-auditory channel: Communicator speaks; receiving individual hears
2. Broadcast transmission;
   directional reception: Message goes out in all directions; receiver can tell what direction message comes from.
3. Rapid fading: Message is transitory and does not persist.
4. Interchangeability: Transmitters can become receivers, and vice versa
5. Total feedback: We hear all that we say.
6. Specialization: We communicate just for the purpose of communicating
   (not incidentally to some other primary function).
   Direct energy consequences are unimportant.
7. Semanticity: Symbols used (phonemes, morphemes) have particular meanings.
8. Arbitrariness: Symbols are arbitrary
9. Discreteness: Symbols are made by combining smaller symbols; that differ discontinuously

Question 16

mode of communication

Answer 16

The medium or channel through which communicative intent is expressed

Question 17

semanticity

Answer 17

the quality that a linguistic system has of being able to convey meanings, in particular by reference to the world of physical reality. Example: Bird - an animal with wing that fly.

Question 18

pragmatic function

Answer 18

meaning a speaker wishes to convey to the person they are speaking to. (Passive aggressive or indirect comments) Example: Direct comment “do the dishes” vs Pragmatic function “the sink is full of dishes.”

Question 19

interchangeability

Answer 19

1. two things capable of being put or used in the place of each other
2. capable of replacing or changing places with something else

Question 20

cultural transmission

Answer 20

Cultural transmission is 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.

Question 21

arbitrariness

Answer 21

the quality of being based on random choice or personal whim, rather than any reason or system

Question 22

linguistic sign

Answer 22

an abstract structure whose instances participate in a linguistic system, or language.

Question 23

convention

Answer 23

way in which something is usually done, especially within a particular area or activity.

Question 24

non-arbitrariness

Answer 24

not subject to individual determination; set rule. opposite of arbitrariness

Question 25

iconic

Answer 25

relating to or having the characteristics on an icon

Question 26

onomatopoeia

Answer 26

the direct formation of a word from a sound associated with what is named. Example: sizzle, slap, clap

Question 27

conventionalized

Answer 27

cause to become conventional. past tense of convention

Question 28

sound symbolism

Answer 28

the apparent or partial representation of the sense of a word by its sound. different from onomatopoeia

Question 29

discreteness

Answer 29

stream of language that is broken down or rearranged into smaller sounds. Example: {P} {I} {T} can be made into tip or pit with the letters all sounding the same but in order

Question 30

displacement

Answer 30

the capability of language to communicate about things that are not immediately present

Question 31

productivity

Answer 31

the degree to which native speakers use a particular grammatical process, especially in word formation

Question 32

modality

Answer 32

he phenomenon whereby language is used to discuss possible situations. the "for instants..." idea

Question 33

myths about signed languages (list 4)

Answer 33

1. There is only one sign language 2. Sign languages are not real languages 3. All deaf people sign 4. Signing hinders learning speech

Question 34

differences between codes and languages (list 4)

Answer 34

1. Code is finite while language is infinite 2. Language is signs for establishing communication, while code is the grammar. 3. Language is an umbrella for communication, while code is the rules for how to use it.