Flashcards on Language as Communication and Linguistic Theories
Language as Communication & Linguistic Theories Explained
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Language
38 cards
Card 1
Question: What are the two basic manifestations of language as communication mentioned in the content?
Answer: Oral language and written language.
Card 2
Question: How does Trager define language?
Answer: A system of arbitrary vocal symbols by means of which the members of a society interact in terms of their total culture.
Card 3
Question: Give a concise personal definition of language from the content.
Answer: A communication system to express thoughts, emotions and feelings in an oral or written way.
Card 4
Question: According to the content, what has linguistic and neurological research determined about human speech?
Answer: Human speech depends on a neural network located in the brain.
Card 5
Question: What do evolutionary linguists believe about the origin of human languages?
Answer: They believe all human languages descended from a single primitive language that evolved from human grunts and noises.
Card 6
Question: What was Noam Chomsky's influential view on language origin?
Answer: He believed that language is an innate ability in humankind.
Card 7
Question: How do scholars distinguish between human and animal language in the content?
Answer: Human language is based on the capacity to communicate through linguistic signs; animal language uses auditory, visual and olfactory signs to convey m
Card 8
Question: What distinction did Saussure make between 'language' and 'speech'?
Answer: Language is the set of linguistic signs used by a speaker community; speech is the particular use a speaker makes of that language.
Card 9
Question: List everyday examples given that illustrate communication uses of different 'languages' or signals.
Answer: A dog barking, a baby crying, a person asking the time, an ambulance siren, and a blind person reading braille.
Card 10
Question: Why does the content argue it is necessary to pay attention to the communicative process?
Answer: Because people spend much of their time communicating and language is the primary mode for expressing feelings, thoughts and ideas.