Term
|
Definition
Describes the rules that govern what people do or can say in their language.
Descriptive rules …
… make no value judgments
… are natural; known intuitively, unconsciously |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Prescribes rules governing what people should/shouldn’t say to be considered correct/proper
Prescriptive rules:
… reflect value judgments
… are not natural; must be taught/learned in school |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| What you know about your language. Largely hidden and unconscious (most people aren't aware of their linguistic competence). |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Speaking.
Linguists can study a persons linguistic competence by observing their linguistic performance. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Nine features that a mode of communication must exhibit to be considered a language. Almost all communication displays the first three, so the last six are the most important. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
First design feature
A user can both transmit and receive messages.
Ex: People speaking back and forth to each other do exhibit interchangeability.
Ex: Humpback whales. Males sing and the females listen. This isn't a display of interchangeability (both don't sing and both don't listen). |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Second design feature
Part of language is learned from other users of that language.
Ex: Orca whales. Orphaned orcas will learn the language of their new pod.
Ex: Cuckoo birds. Regardless of upbringing, always say "cuckoo". |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Third design feature.
There is no necessary connection between a word and its meaning.
Non-arbirtrary (iconic) messages:
Dog growling
Cat clawing
Arbitrary:
The word "dog" does not at all imply the furry thing on four legs. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Fourth design feature.
Large, complex messages are made out of smaller parts.
Sounds->letters->words->sentences
Can be divided and subdivided
Animal calls are not discrete. They must be heard as a whole. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Fifth design feature.
The ability to speak about things that are not immediately present in space or time.
Ex: Lying (telling something that isn't true).
Ex: Talking about the future |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Sixth design feature.
Users can create new sentences, never heard before, that can be understood by others. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| The scientific study and analysis of human language. |
|
|
