Question 1

The design feature of language that allows you to produce and comprehend entirely new utterances that you've never spoken or heard before is which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Productivity, also known as generativity, is the design feature of language that allows users to produce and comprehend new sentences or utterances they have never heard before. It reflects the capacity of language to be creative and innovative, enabling endless communication possibilities.

Question 2

Although the capacity for speech appears to be part of the human genetic makeup, most linguistic anthropologists now believe that children learn languages

Accepted Answer

Children learn languages primarily in social and cultural settings, as these environments provide the necessary interactions and exposure to language in use, facilitating the natural acquisition of linguistic skills.

Question 3

A theory that as children develop their intellectual abilities and their linguistic abilities follow suit is what kind of theory?

Accepted Answer

The cognitivist theory posits that a child's cognitive development influences their linguistic development, suggesting that as children grow intellectually, their ability to understand and use language also evolves. This theory emphasizes the role of the child's internal mental processes in language acquisition.

Question 4

The design feature of language that refers to the fact that the units used for communication can be separated into distinct units that cannot be mistaken for one other is which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Discreteness in language refers to the property that allows complex messages to be built up from smaller, distinct units (such as phonemes or letters in written language) that are clearly different from one another, preventing ambiguity in communication.

Question 5

Which design feature of human language is shared with most other kinds of animal communication?

Accepted Answer

Broadcast transmission and directional reception is a feature shared by human language and most other kinds of animal communication. This means that signals can be sent out in all directions but are intended to be received by a specific target or targets, which is common in both human and animal communication systems.

Question 6

The design feature of language that refers specifically to the use of speaking and hearing as a key feature of language is

Accepted Answer

The vocal auditory channel refers to the use of voice (vocal) and hearing (auditory) as the primary means for language communication, distinguishing it as a key design feature of language.

Question 7

The design feature of language that refers to the fact that discrete units of language at one level (such as sounds)can be combined to create different kinds of units at a different level (such as words)is which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Duality of patterning refers to the characteristic of human language where simple, distinct units (like sounds or phonemes) can be combined in different ways to create a larger variety of complex units (like words), which can then be further combined to form sentences. This feature allows for the vast expressiveness and creativity found in human languages.

Question 8

The design feature of language that refers to the fact that speakers can hear themselves talk and that they can monitor what they say as they say it is referred to as

Accepted Answer

Total feedback refers to the ability of speakers to hear themselves and monitor their speech in real-time, allowing for adjustments and corrections as necessary. This feature is crucial for effective communication and language learning.

Question 9

A theory that children need to hear language from others around them (stimulus)and to receive praise (positive feedback)from parents and/or caretakers in order to develop their linguistic abilities is what kind of theory?

Accepted Answer

The behaviorist theory, associated with B.F. Skinner, posits that language learning is a result of environmental interaction, stimuli, and reinforcement, which includes praise from parents or caretakers as a form of positive feedback.

Question 10

The design feature of language that refers to the fact that the sounds of human language are sent out in all directions, but that listeners perceive those sounds as coming from a specific direction is referred to as

Accepted Answer

Broadcast transmission and directional reception refers to the phenomenon where the sounds produced in speech are emitted in all directions, yet listeners are able to perceive them as coming from a specific source or direction. This is a unique feature of human language communication, allowing for efficient and directed communication even in environments where sound can travel in multiple directions.

Question 11

A theory that language is the result of a complex set of theories that children create about the linguistic stimuli they are exposed to is what kind of theory?

Accepted Answer

The active construction of a grammar theory, also known as theory theory, posits that children actively construct grammatical rules and linguistic structures based on the input they receive, reflecting a cognitive approach to understanding language acquisition. This contrasts with innatist theories that suggest language ability is innate, behaviorist theories that focus on stimulus-response learning, and cognitivist theories that emphasize mental processes more broadly without the specific focus on active rule construction.

Question 12

The design feature of language that refers to the fact that you can talk about things that are not present is which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Displacement is the design feature of language that allows speakers to talk about things and events not present in the immediate environment. This includes discussing past and future events, hypothetical situations, and objects or ideas that are not physically present.

Question 13

The design feature of language th at refers to the fact t hat specific sound signals can be directly linked to specific meanings is

Accepted Answer

Semanticity refers to the feature of language that allows specific signals (like sounds or symbols) to be directly linked to specific meanings. This is what enables words to represent objects, actions, ideas, and so forth.

Question 14

The design feature of language that refers to the fact that language signals don't last very long is

Accepted Answer

Rapid fading refers to the transient nature of language signals, such as sounds, which disappear quickly after they are produced. This allows for the sequential production and perception of language without the signals interfering with each other over time.

Question 15

Linguistic anthropologist Robbins Burling argues that some of the earliest instances of language use might have been

Accepted Answer

Robbins Burling suggests that the initial stages of language development were likely more about understanding or comprehending signals and calls in the environment, rather than producing them. This comprehension would be a foundational step towards more complex language use, including generating calls or speech.

Question 16

Recent sign language research in Nicaragua appears to bolster which of the following theories about language acquisition?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Recent sign language research in Nicaragua appears...

Question 17

The design feature of language that refers to the fact that a speaker can repeat anything that any other human says is

Accepted Answer

Interchangeability refers to the ability of individuals to both transmit and receive messages, allowing any speaker to say anything that has been said to them.

Question 18

A theory that children's brains function as language acquisition devices, comparing specific languages with a genetically built-in "core grammar" to help children acquire specific languages rapidly, is what kind of theory?

Accepted Answer

The innatist theory, proposed by Noam Chomsky, suggests that the ability to acquire language is innate, with children possessing a language acquisition device (LAD) that enables them to understand and produce language based on a universal grammar. This contrasts with theories that view language acquisition as a result of environmental interaction or cognitive development.

Question 19

The design feature of language that refers to the fact that there is no necessary or causal connection between a signal and its meaning is:

Accepted Answer

Arbitrariness in language design refers to the fact that the relationship between linguistic signs (such as words or symbols) and their meanings is not inherently logical or natural but is instead based on social convention. This means there is no necessary or causal connection between the sound or form of a word and its meaning.

Question 20

Regarding ideas about language in children, the "active construction of a grammar (or theory )theory" argues that

Accepted Answer

The "active construction of a grammar theory" suggests that children actively observe and interact with their environment to form theories about language, rather than merely imitating or being conditioned by external stimuli. This perspective emphasizes the child's role in learning and constructing the rules of language.

Quiz 8: How and When Is Language Possible