Linguistics Notes For Lecturer English Subject Specialist English BPS-17

LINGUISTICS NOTES FOR COMMISSION EXAMS
OF LECTURER / SUBJECT SPECIALIST ENGLISH

Linguistics Notes for Lecturer English

If you're preparing for commission exams like FPSC, PPSC, SPSC, aiming to become an English Lecturer or Subject Specialist, these notes are crucial. Specifically crafted for competitive exams, they provide a strategic guide, covering syllabus details, exam formats, and essential topics for success. Focused on enhancing your grasp of English language and literature, the notes address key areas like Grammar, Literature Analysis, and Language Structure to boost proficiency. Integrating these notes into your study routine gives you a competitive edge, ensuring thorough preparation for the challenges of commission exams. Not only do they prepare you for immediate success, but they also equip you for a future career as a skilled English Lecturer or Subject Specialist.

1. What is linguistics?

Answer: Linguistics means the scientific study of language.

2. Main branches of linguistics?

Answer: Phonetics and syntax are fundamental branches in linguistics.

3. Define phonetics.

Answer: Phonetics is the study of speech sounds.

4. Difference between phonetics and phonology?

Answer: Phonetics focuses on sounds, while phonology examines sound patterns.

5. Explain "morphology."

Answer: Morphology is the analysis of word structure.

6. Example of a morpheme?

Answer: "Unhappy" breaks down into two morphemes: "un-" and "happy."

7. Define syntax.

Answer: Syntax delves into sentence structure.

8. What is semantics?

Answer: Semantics explores the meaning of language.

9. How does pragmatics differ from semantics?

Answer: Pragmatics studies language use in context, while semantics deals with meaning.

10. What is sociolinguistics?

Answer: Sociolinguistics examines language in societal contexts.

11. Explain psycholinguistics.

Answer: Psycholinguistics investigates language within the mind.

12. Stages of child language acquisition?

Answer: Child language acquisition involves babbling and word formation.

13. Define generative grammar.

Answer: Generative grammar operates on rule-based language systems.

14. Sapir-Whorf hypothesis?

Answer: The Sapir-Whorf hypothesis proposes language shapes thought.

15. Concept of linguistic relativity.

Answer: Linguistic relativity asserts language influences perception.

16. What is a language family?

Answer: A language family comprises related languages.

17. Example of a language isolate.

Answer: Basque serves as an example of a language isolate.

18. Define dialect.

Answer: A dialect refers to a regional language variety.

19. What is code-switching?

Answer: Code-switching involves using multiple languages in conversation.

20. Linguistic competence.

Answer: Linguistic competence involves implicit language knowledge.

21. Define language universals.

Answer: Language universals encompass common features across languages.

22. International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA)?

Answer: IPA employs phonetic symbols to represent sounds.

23. Prescriptive vs. descriptive grammar?

Answer: Prescriptive grammar dictates language usage, while descriptive grammar observes language use.

24. Pidgin vs. creole?

Answer: A pidgin is a simplified language, while a creole is a stable language.

25. Linguistic sign.

Answer: A linguistic sign connects sound and meaning.

26. Saussure and structuralism?

Answer: Saussure contributed to structuralism, emphasizing language structure.

27. What is diglossia?

Answer: Diglossia involves the coexistence of two language varieties.

28. Noam Chomsky's contribution?

Answer: Chomsky introduced generative grammar.

29. Synthetic vs. analytic language?

Answer: Synthetic languages use inflections, while analytic languages rely on word order.

30. Role of anaphora?

Answer: Anaphora establishes reference in discourse.

31. Define linguistic anthropology.

Answer: Linguistic anthropology studies language and culture.

32. Linguistic determinism.

Answer: Linguistic determinism posits that language shapes thought.

33. Creole vs. patois?

Answer: Creole languages are stable, while patois languages are regional 

34. Linguistic imperialism.

Answer: Linguistic imperialism involves the dominance of one language.

35. Hypernym and hyponym.

Answer: A hypernym is a general term, while a hyponym is specific.

36. Language isolate, example.

Answer: Basque stands as an example of a language isolate.

37. Metalinguistic awareness.

Answer: Metalinguistic awareness involves the ability to analyze language use.

38. Diachronic vs. synchronic study?

Answer: Diachronic studies language change over time, while synchronic studies the current state.

39. Linguistic variation.

Answer: Linguistic variation refers to differences in language use.

40. Fricative vs. plosive.

Answer: Fricatives are continuous sounds, while plosives are explosive.

41. Morphophonemics.

Answer: Morphophonemics studies the interaction of morphology and phonology.

42. Linguistic register.

Answer: Linguistic register involves variation in language formality.

43. Role of IPA in linguistic analysis?

Answer: IPA provides a standardized phonetic representation.

44. Language standardization.

Answer: Language standardization establishes rules.

45. Morph syntactic alignment.

Answer: Morph syntactic alignment studies grammatical relations.

46. Free vs. bound morphemes.

Answer: Free morphemes stand alone, while bound morphemes attach to others.

47. Linguistic atlas in research.

Answer: A linguistic atlas employs maps to illustrate linguistic features.

48. Linguistic sign in structuralism.

Answer: In structuralism, a linguistic sign relates sound to meaning.

49. Linguistic imperialism impact on minority languages.

Answer: Linguistic imperialism marginalizes minority languages.

50. How does linguistic variation contribute to language change?

Answer: Linguistic variation contributes to the evolution of language.