Introduction to English Linguistics Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards for Introduction to English Linguistics, covering key terms and concepts.

Language

A code for conveying information through symbols and syntax. relations are arbitrary

Syntax

the set of rules and principles that govern how words and phrases are arranged to form well‑formed sentences.

The sailors spoled the girls with binoculars.

Differential

Interdependence of meanings

Language sign is arbitrary, but

but not rsndom; not obvious relations between sound or shape and meaning.

Onomatopoeia

partial sound/meaning link

e.g. moo, boom, splash

Word in a language

symbol within a differential system

Saussure (Language as a Set of Signs)

Binary combinations of form (letters/sounds) and meaning (concepts).

Words are: 1 arbitrary, 2 conventional, 3 associative

structural Linguistics

focus on language system(langua)

Not the actual language used by individuals (parole)

Goal: analyze elements in language system and their relations (e.g mat, bat, cat…)

3 main function of language

• Expressive

• representative

• appellative

Linguistic symbols(function and form)

Symbols have function and form, e.g. Mary swims.

• Form: Sequence of 9 sounds in linear sequence make up a linear(noun, verb…)

  of 2 words

• Function: The words are constituent parts of the sentence(subject, predicate…)

Language has structure (linear and hierarchical sequences)

Can be represented as tree diagram

Hierarchial Structure

• The form of the first word consists of four sounds.

• The form of the second word consists of five sounds.

• Tree diagrams can show linear and hierarchical structure.

НАЙТИ ВИЗНАЧЕННЯ ЦЬОГО

Linguistic units are constructed according to rules

• Rules of sound sequencing

• Rules of word sequencing, etc.

• Speakers of the same language must know the same rules.

• Rules are descriptive not prescriptive.

• Native speaker knowledge of rules is unconscious.

Description (our focus)

Describing how language is actually used: what you find in practice

• E.g. the previous sentence, which contains both a double negative and the stigmatized form ain’t

Prescriptive

Prescribing rules for the use of language: what you (allegedly) should or should not do

• E.g. Do not use double negatives as in the sentence…

Phonetics

The study of sound systems of languages; What sounds are distinctive in a language

• Articulatory

• Acoustic

• Auditory

Lexis and Morphology

The vocabulary of language and its structure; The study of the internal structure (grammar) of words.

Syntax

the set of rules and principles that govern how words and phrases are arranged to form well‑formed sentences.The sailors spoled the girls with binoculars.

Why can you say “John sent a text to me” but not “sent me text a John to”?

Semantics

The study of the meaning of words, clauses, and sentences.

How is it related to syntax and lexis?

Subfields/ disciplines of linguistics

1.Phonetics

2./Phonology

3.Morphology

4.Syntax

5.Semantics

6.Pragmatics

7.Text

8.Sociolinguistics

Pragmatics

The study of how the context of an utterance is used to interpret it.

The study of how context contributes to meaning.>> A: Do you want some fudge brownies? B: There‘s got to be 2.000 calories in there.

Sociolinguistics

The study of how language is used in social context.

• Language use and social class

• Language use and gender

• Multilingualism, etc

Psycholinguistics

The study of how language is acquired, produced, perceived, and stored in the brain.

Applied Linguistics

Generating knowledge that can be used to solve real-world problems

E.g. Creating writing systems for languages which do not have them

Language or Code?

Variety or code: neutral terms for a distinct system, with grammar, vocabulary, etc.

Language (sub)Varieties

• Dialect

• Standard

• Accent

• Register

Dialect

patterned verbal choices in the language of speakers from a neatly defined geographical region that affect pronunciation, lexis and grammar

A sub-variety of a language based on social groups and status.

e.g. geography, social class.

Dialects differ from each other on a range of linguistic levels

Standard Language

A sub-variety or dialect of a language with high social status.

Accent

A way of pronouncing a variety of a language.

e.g. RP

Register

A sub-variety of a language based on social situations.

e.g. chat, essay, prayer, occupations

Arbitrariness

The lack of a direct relationship between the form of a linguistic sign and its meaning.