Language and Linguistics in Human Geography Quiz

Linguistics is the scientific study of language, encompassing its structure, meaning, and use in human communication.

Phonology is the branch of linguistics that deals with the study of the sounds (phonemes) used in speech.

Diachronic linguistics is the study of language change over time, focusing on historical development.

Code-switching is the practice of alternating between two or more languages or varieties within a single conversation or discourse.

Cognitive linguistics focuses on the mental processes, including perception, memory, and conceptualization, involved in language use.

Geography is not a branch of linguistics; linguistics branches include phonetics, syntax, semantics, and more.

A 'lingua franca' is a common language used for communication between people who speak different native languages.

Noam Chomsky proposed the theory of Universal Grammar, suggesting that the ability to acquire language is innate to humans.

Sociolinguistics examines the interaction between language and social factors, including cultural norms, class, and regional variations.

Functionalism in linguistics emphasizes the role of social context and practical functions of language in shaping linguistic structures.

Ferdinand de Saussure is recognized as the founder of modern linguistics, making significant contributions to structuralism.

The Sapir-Whorf hypothesis proposes that the structure of a language influences the way its speakers perceive and think about the world.

A morpheme is the smallest unit of meaning in a language, often a word or part of a word.

The Whorfian hypothesis, or linguistic relativity hypothesis, posits that language influences and constrains the way people think.

Dell Hymes is known for the theory of communicative competence, which emphasizes the ability to use language appropriately in various social contexts.