Basic Linguistic Terms (100% Correct Answers)

Phonetics Correct Answers The study of the smallest unit of language Phonology Correct Answers The study of how speech sounds are distributed, the study of the sound system of a language. Morphology Correct Answers The study of how words are constructed. Syntax Correct Answers How words combine to make linguistically correct phrases and sentences. Semantics Correct Answers The study of linguistic meaning. Pragmatics Correct Answers The study of how context affects language use Descriptive Grammar Correct Answers Contains the rules that someone has deduced based on observing speakers' linguistic performance. Mode of Communication Correct Answers The means by which messages are transmitted and received. Interchangeability Correct Answers The ability of individuals to both transmit and receive messages. Arbitrary Correct Answers The meaning is not in any way predictable from the form; nor is the form dictated by the meaning. Iconic Correct Answers "Picture-like"; the forms represent the meanings directly Onomatopoeia Correct Answers Words that imitate natural sounds or have meanings associated with sounds of nature; BUT there is still an element of arbitrariness because the form is not an exact copy of the natural noise Sound Symbolism Correct Answers Certain sounds occur in words may suggest the meaning, but that exists because of the phonetic sound that exist naturally thus evoking a particular meaning. Ex. "teeny" "petite" Phonetic Genus Correct Answers The group of sounds that take a part of your individual linguistic performance.