Topic Notes

• In what sense is language arbitrary?What is language? In what sense is language arbitrary? Language is a special gift for humans. It helps us to talk and think. We use it every single day. It helps us share ideas and[Expand...]
• Why is linguistics considered a science?Why is linguistics considered a science? Linguistics is the scientific study of language. It examines how people speak and write. Linguists collect real-life language data. They find patterns and make rules. Like other sciences, linguistics[Expand...]
• Discuss the difference between langue and parole.Discuss the difference between langue and parole.  Or, Discuss Ferdinand de Saussure's theoretical linguistic dichotomy: Lague and Parole. Langue and Parole are vital linguistic concepts. Ferdinand de Saussure (1857- 1913) introduced them in his "Course[Expand...]
• What is the difference between syntagmatic and paradigmatic relationships?Write a note on syntagmatic and paradigmatic relationships.  Or, what is the difference between syntagmatic and paradigmatic relationships? Ferdinand de Saussure (1857- 1913) introduced two key ideas: syntagmatic and paradigmatic relationships. These ideas explain how[Expand...]
• Define diphthong. Mention the eight diphthongal phonemes of the English languageDefine diphthong. Mention the eight diphthongal phonemes of the English language with suitable examples.  A diphthong is a special vowel sound. It is made by joining two vowel sounds. The tongue moves during the sound.[Expand...]
• What is elision? Mention the rules of elision. What is elision? Mention the rules of elision.  Elision means leaving out a sound in speech. It happens when we speak quickly and smoothly. Some sounds are dropped to make talking easier. Elision is common[Expand...]
• What are allomorphs?What are allomorphs? Allomorphs are different forms of the same morpheme. A morpheme is the smallest part of a word with meaning. Sometimes, a morpheme can have more than one shape or sound. These different[Expand...]
• Explain deep and surface structure.Explain deep and surface structure. Deep structure and surface structure are ideas from Noam Chomsky (1928- Present). He explained them in his generative grammar theory. Deep structure means the real meaning behind a sentence. Surface[Expand...]
• Write a note on “Universal Grammar.” Write a note on “Universal Grammar.”  Universal Grammar is a theory of language. It was introduced by Noam Chomsky (1928 - Present). He said all humans share grammar rules. These rules are in our minds[Expand...]
• Show the difference between creole and pidgin.Show the difference between creole and pidgin. People from different language backgrounds often need to talk. Sometimes, they use simple new languages to communicate. These are called Pidgin and Creole. Both help people understand each[Expand...]
•  What are the differences between dialect and register?  What are the differences between dialect and register?  Sociolinguistics discusses dialect and register. A dialect is a form of language from a specific region or group. Dialects have their own words, grammar, and accent. Register[Expand...]
• What are voiced and voiceless sounds?What are voiced and voiceless/unvoiced sounds? Or, what do you mean by voiced and voiceless sounds? Write a note on them.  Every sound in English is different. Some sounds make the throat vibrate. These are[Expand...]
• Draw the tree diagram according to the grammar of the phraseDraw the tree diagram according to the grammar of the phrase structure of the following sentence: "The baby found its mother." [Sentence may be changed] [NU: 2021, 22] ★★★ IC Analysis/the phrase structure is used[Expand...]
• What is language? Discuss the major properties or characteristics of language.What is language? Discuss the major properties or characteristics of language. Language is a special gift for humans. It helps us to talk and think. We use it every single day. It helps us share[Expand...]
• What is a dialect? Discuss the standardization process of a language. What is a dialect? Discuss the standardization process of a language.  Language is spoken in many different ways. These ways are called dialects. This is the identity of where people come from. Dialects have their[Expand...]
• Who are Noam Chomsky and Ferdinand de Saussure?Who are Noam Chomsky and Ferdinand de Saussure? Evaluate their contribution to linguistics. 1. Noam Chomsky and His Contribution in Linguitics Noam Chomsky was born in 1928 in the USA. He is a professor and[Expand...]
• Discuss the different organs of speech with a diagram.Draw a labelled diagram to show the articulatory organs of speech production.  Or, Discuss the different organs of speech with a diagram. Speech organs help us produce spoken language. They work together to make different[Expand...]
• Classify the English consonant sounds according to the Manner of Articulation. Classify the English consonant sounds according to the Manner of Articulation.  English has many different consonant sounds. These sounds are not all made the same way. The way we make a consonant sound is called[Expand...]
• What is morphology? Classify the morphemes in detail.What is morphology? Classify the morphemes in detail. Or, What do you understand by morpheme? Discuss the features of free morphemes and bound morphemes.  Morphology is the study of word structure. It deals with the[Expand...]
• What is syntax? Discuss the major syntactic processes elaborately.What is syntax? Discuss the major syntactic processes elaborately. The Syntax is derived from the Greek word 'syntaxis,' which means 'ordering together' or 'together arranging.' Syntax is a branch of linguistics that studies how words[Expand...]
• What is IC analysis? Exemplify IC analysis through a tree diagram and determine its limitations.What is IC analysis? Exemplify IC analysis through a tree diagram and determine its limitations. IC Analysis stands for Immediate Constituent Analysis. Leonard Bloomfield first introduced IC analysis in 1933. Later, Zellig Harris and Charles[Expand...]
• Discuss the different stages of Child Language Development. Discuss the different stages of Child Language Development.  Child language development happens step by step. Every child learns language in different stages. Each stage has special features and landmarks. This process shows how children become[Expand...]
• Discuss the different varieties of sociolinguistics. Discuss the different varieties of sociolinguistics.  The study of language and society is called sociolinguistics. Language is an important part of human life. People use language to talk and express their thoughts. But language is[Expand...]
• What do you know about the Monitor Model Theory of Stephen Krashen?What do you know about the Monitor Model Theory of Stephen Krashen? Why is it important in SLA?  Stephen Krashen is a famous linguist. He created the Monitor Model for second language learning. The theory[Expand...]
• Make a comparative study of behaviourist and mentalist theory of L-1 acquisition.Make a comparative study of behaviourist and mentalist theory of L-1 acquisition. Language acquisition is a complex process in human development. Two main theories explain how children learn their first language (L1). The Behaviourist Theory[Expand...]
• Discuss the Nativist Theory of language learning. Discuss the Nativist Theory of language learning.  Noam Chomsky (1928-Present) developed the Nativist Theory of language learning in “Syntactic Structures” (1957). It is about language learning. It says humans are born with a special ability[Expand...]
• Describe cardinal vowels and show their position through a diagram. Describe cardinal vowels and show their position through a diagram.  Vowels are important sounds in every language. They help form words and carry meaning. Linguists study and compare vowel sounds across languages. To do this,[Expand...]
• Write a note on the development of interlanguage in a language learner.Write a note on the development of interlanguage in a language learner. Learning a new language is a long journey. People do not become fluent in one day. They go through a series of stages.[Expand...]
• Discuss the relationship between language and culture.Discuss the relationship between language and culture. Language and culture are very closely connected. Language is not just a way to talk. It also shows how people think and live. Culture shapes people’s beliefs, traditions,[Expand...]
• Describe the requirements of tragedy in the view of Aristotle.Describe the requirements of tragedy in the view of Aristotle. Aristotle (384-322 BC) clearly outlines the requirements of a good tragedy in “Poetics” (335 BCE). He says that tragedy is not just a sad story.[Expand...]