NZSL311 Key terms Wk 1

Linguistics

Scientific study of language

Descriptive

Describe how language is used based on empirical evidence from speakers rather than intuition: what linguists aim to do

Perspective

Evaluate or authorise how language ‘should’ be used (based on speaker intuition or assumption: what linguists try to avoid

Levels of structure

Levels of focus for analysing patterns in language: micro >macro

Discourse

How language is used in talk/texts in various situations

Syntax

Structure of sentences – what is acceptable/typical word order?

Morphology

Study of the smallest meaningful units in a language and processes for combining them to create new word meanings

Phonology

Study of the smallest formational units (sounds/ sign parts) in a language and rules for combining these in words

Semantics

Study of meaning

Sociolinguistics

Study of relationship between language and society: use of lang for social purposes, identity, variation, change, attitudes …

Metalinguistic awareness

Knowledge ‘about’ a language, ability to describe language 

Language modality

The mode is which language is physically produced: aural/verbal (spoken) v. visual/gestural (signed)

Gesture

Gesticulation with the hands to emphasise and show, often with speech. Cultural gestures. Variable in form. Not combined.

Sign

Conventional (shared) symbol with contextual meanings, used with other signs in sentence, carries the main message

Primary sign language

Naturally evolving SL of a multi-generational deaf community

Artificial sign system

Artificially contrived system for coding spoken language in signs

Alternate (shared) sign language

Signs developed in hearing communities for specific purposes (eg, silent rites, cross-language contact). Deaf people in this context share this SL with hearing. Usually limited in scope

Who is Bill Stokoe and M. Collins'-Ahlgren?

First researchers to describe ASL/ NZSL (respectively) in terms of linguistic structure, 1960s/ 1980s. Named the languages