Chapter 4

What is a dialect?

A dialect is a variety of a language spoken by a particular group of people, based on regional differences or social differences such as gender, class, race or ethnicity.

How is vocal fry an example in sociolinguistics?

Vocal Fry??

What is sociolinguistics? What are some of the factors that affect how language is used in culture and society?

Sociolinguistics is the study of the impacts of socioeconomic and cultural factors, such as gender and class, on language and communication within a society. Certain factors include television, radio, industrialization.

...Be familiar with the components of language: phonology, morphology, syntax, and semantics.

Components of language: Phonology- Study of sounds systems in language, including phonetics and phonemics. Morphology- The study of the internal structure of words and the combination of meaningful units within the words. Syntax- The rules that generate the combination of words to form phrases and sentences. Semantics- Study of systems of meaning in language.

How can emblems be a cause for miscommunication?

Emblems(Nonverbal actions with specific meanings that substitute for spoken words) can be a cause for miscommunication because certain gestures or expressions can mean one positive meaning in one culture, but a totally different meaning in another culture.

What is ethnosemantics?

Ethnosemantics is the study of culture through people's use of language to categorize and classify people, objects, activities, and experiences.

What are loanwords?

Loanwords are words borrowed from one language to another.

What is non-verbal communication?

Nonverbal communication is communication through gestures, facial expressions, body posture, use of space, and touch.

What is the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis?

The Sapir-Whorf hypothesis is the assertion that the form and the content of language influence speakers' behaviors, thought processes, and worldview.

Why is the capability to express displacement unique in human communication?

The capability to express displacement is unique in human communication because it permits us to talk about imagined events, or to tell stories, deceive, or lie.

Know the three key features of human language (symbolism, displacement, productivity)

Three key features: Symbolism- A feature of language based on symbols or on the arbitrary association with sounds with meanings. Displacement- Ability to communicate about something that is not happening at the moment. Productivity- Ability to join sounds and words in theoretical infinite meaningful combinations.