INSTITUTO JUIS JORGE FONTANA - LINGÜÍSTICA DESCRIPTIVA 14/11/2022

ANSWER:

.1- Explain the arbitrary relation between Word and Meaning.

The relationship between speech sounds and the meanings they represent is, for the most part, an arbitrary one. When
you acquiring a language you have to learn that the sounds represented by the letters house signify the concept.

.2- Explain Language Universals.

In a grammar there are parts that pertain to all languages, these components form what is called general grammar. In
addition to these general parts, there are those that belong only to one particular language and these constitute the
particular grammar of each language. There are rules of particular languages, such as ENGLISH that form part of the
individual grammars of these languages, and then there are rules that hold in all languages. Those rules representing
the universal properties that all languages share constitute a universal grammar.

.3- Chomsky and Saussure.

Chomsky’s view that there is a universal grammar that is part of the biologically endowed human language faculty. It
specifies the different components of the grammar and their relations, how the different rules of these components
are constructed, how they interact. The linguist’s goal is to reveal the LAWS OF HUMAN LANGUAGE.

SAUSURRE
The sign is arbitrary because it is not motivated, there is no relationship between the signified and signifier.
The concept is the meaning. They are mental representations of an idea, they have general characteristics.
The acoustic image is the signifier. They are psychic imprints produced in our minds.
Saussure said that the signifier is linear because it unfolds in time.

.4- Concept of Linguistic. Why is it important?

Linguistics is the scientific study of human language. So, it is not necessarily studying a specific language or learning to
speak a language, but looking at language as a system of grammar. Linguistics looks at: The general phenomenon of
human language. Linguistics helps us understand our world, this knowledge can be applied to improving
communication between people, contributing to translation activities, assisting in literacy efforts, and treating speech
disorders.

.5- General grammar and special grammar

The difference between GENERAL GRAMMAR and SPECIAL GRAMMAR is that in grammar, there are parts that pertain
to all languages, these components form what is called the general grammar. In addition to these general parts, there
are those that belong only to one particular language and these constitute the particular grammars of each language.

.6- Prescriptive grammar and descriptive grammar.

DESCRIPTIVE GRAMMAR. It is a grammar that describes how language is used by its speakers. A descriptive grammar
looks at the way a language is actually used by its speakers and then attempts to analyze it and formulate rules about
structure.
PRESCRIPTIVE GRAMMAR. It is traditional approach of grammar that tells people how to use the English language,
what forms they should utilize and what function they should serve. It is essential as it helps people use formal
speech and writing. It refers to the structure of a language as certain people think it should be used.

A descriptive grammar is a study of a language, its structure, and its rules as they are used in daily life by its speakers
from all walks of life, including standard and nonstandard varieties. A prescriptive grammar, on the other hand,
specifies how a language and its grammar rules should be used.