The Nature of Language and Language Study

Flashcards to review key concepts, definitions, and theories related to language, its nature, and communication.

A primary human method of communicating ideas, emotions, and desires through a system of voluntarily produced symbols.

Language

Five essential skills for language teachers: listening, speaking, reading, writing, and viewing.

Macro Skills

The skill of grasping and decoding information during the exchange of messages.

Listening

The ability to communicate verbally, involving complex cognitive and linguistic skills.

Speaking

A multifaceted process involving word recognition, comprehension, fluency, and motivation.

Reading

An extremely complex cognitive activity requiring control of language variables to create coherent text.

Writing

The knowledge of language structures and the ability to use them appropriately in various situations.

Communicative Competence

The language a person learns first, typically acquired naturally through immersion and interaction.

First Language

Any language learned after the first, usually through formal instruction and practice.

Second Language

A narrower view of linguistics focusing on the structures of the language system itself.

Micro Linguistics

A broader view examining language acquisition, cultural influence, and societal factors.

Macro Linguistics

A standardized form of English used globally in business, trade, and academia.

World English

Localized varieties of English influenced by different cultures, featuring distinct grammar and vocabulary.

World Englishes

The process of increased interconnectedness among countries, cultures, and economies.

Globalization

The ability to communicate effectively in three or more languages.

Multilingualism

The way non-humans communicate without the use of words, often using signals.

Non-Human Communication

The ability to combine a fixed number of sounds into an infinite number of meanings.

Duality of Patterning

The ability to produce new expressions and sentences using linguistic resources.

Creativity

The capacity to discuss things not immediately present in the environment.

Displacement

The lack of inherent connection between the signs used in language and their meanings.

Arbitrariness

The process through which language is taught and learned within cultural contexts.

Cultural Transmission

The biological structures required for producing speech and language.

Biology