Linguistics 1020: Language and Environment

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts from the course on language and environment, focusing on the relationship between language, cognition, and culture.

Verbal Hygiene

A term used by Deborah Cameron to describe the urge to intervene in language matters.

Political Correctness

A type of verbal hygiene advocating for language use that avoids offending or marginalizing groups.

Linguistic Determinism

The strong form of the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis, claiming that language determines perceptions of reality.

Linguistic Relativity

The weaker form of the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis, stating that language influences perception and thought.

Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis

The claim that the structures of language not only have intrinsic value but also shape attitudes.

Lexicalization

The process of bundling concepts into words, with different languages doing so differently.

Grammaticalization

The process where lexical items become grammatical elements in a language system.

Folk Taxonomies

Ways of classifying important aspects of the world specific to a culture, different from scientific classifications.

Kinship Terminology

Labels for relationships based on genealogy, such as mother, husband, cousin.

Semantic Distinctions

Linguistic features requiring specification of evidence sources in certain languages.

Positive Politeness

Language use that reinforces a hearer’s positive face and emphasizes solidarity.

Negative Politeness

Language indicating awareness of an individual's negative face needs.

Social Constructionist Approach

Analyzing linguistic and discourse variables in constructing social identities.

Cognition

The mental action of acquiring knowledge and understanding through thought, experience, and the senses.

Language Loss

The decline of a language, often leading to the loss of unique cultural insights.

Cultural Emphasis

The focus of a culture's language reflecting its values and concerns.

Derogatory Labels

Offensive terms that reflect negatively on individuals or groups.

Euphemism

A mild or indirect word or expression substituted for one considered to be too harsh or blunt.

Language Perception

How language influences the way individuals understand and interpret their surroundings.

Cognition and Language

The study of how language and thought influence each other.

Language Change

The evolution of language over time, influenced by social and cultural factors.

Culturally Specific Vocabulary

Words and phrases unique to specific cultures that may not translate directly.

Distinctions in Grammar

Variations in how different languages encode aspects of reality like tense and aspect.

Educational Linguistics

The study of how language affects education and learning processes.

Monosyllabic Responses

Short answers often indicating limitations in linguistic resources.

Complex Grammars

The intricate structures of language that can exist in so-called 'primitive' languages.

Influence of Environment on Language

How physical and cultural environments shape the vocabulary and grammar of a language.