Assessment Module One Work

Short Answers (45 pts or15 pts. each)

Respond to the three questions below with a short response of two to three
paragraphs. Include the question with the response. Each response is worth 15 points.
1. In the video Introduction to Linguistics three branches of linguistics are
presented: sounds, structure, and meaning. Explain what each of those entail.
Sound is comprised of two main sub branches: Phonetics- studies human speech
sounds and Phonology principles of sounds systems of particular languages

Structure comprises: Morphology studies the components parts of words and Syntax-
study of sentence structure

Meaning comprises: Semantics studies the relationship between words and Pragmatics
studies the use and meaning of sentences

2. Chapter One of the text suggests several misconceptions about Linguistics.

What were they? How would you respond to someone who held those
misconceptions? In other words, what would you say to clarify what linguistics
really is?

The text cites three commonly held misconceptions about linguistics as the
following:
1. Linguistics is the study of specific languages with with the goal of learning to
read, write, or speak them
2. Linguistics is concerned with trying to get people to speak properly
3. Linguistics is not relevant for primary and secondary school teachers.

The text further clarifies the misconceptions as such:

1. Linguistics is the scientific study of the phenomenon of human language.
2. Linguists are concerned with describing how people actually speak.
3. Lingusitics is highly relevant for primary and secondary school teachers.
 3. Pinkers talk on Linguistics as a Window to Understanding the Brain
highlights some fascinating aspects about language. Watch the first 30 minutes
or so of the video (until the section on Chomsky's contribution). Mention three
issues that you discovered about language that were new to you. You might
also refer to what Pinker says that linguistics is NOT.

Three issues that were new to me:

1. Linguistics or language and thought are different. I associated thought as spoken
language but
2. Evolutionary changes such as the lowering of the larynx
3. Split infinitives as a grammatical or prescriptive rule is a result of adopting a Latin
rule and applying it literally into English

Submit your answers by uploading to the Module One dropbox.

Discussion (15 pts.)
What did you think linguistics meant before this module? Have you changed your
view? Is there something you discovered that was striking, surprising, or unusual? If
you wish, you might mention how knowledge of linguistics will help you as a teacher
or researcher. Now respond to other postings and comment on those. Others may
have considered issues you did not. Go to the Discussion Board or click here:
Discussion One
Before this module, I associated linguistics with the study of language from a broad
overview closely related to grammar. I didnt believe that linguistics had the goal to
read, write and speak languages as noted in the misconceptions. However, I did hold
the misconception that it followed more closely with prescriptive rules.
I was surprised at the depth and breadth of the sub-fields of linguistics; phonetics,
phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, and pragmatics. They appear to be distinct
yet closely related fields that span a wide range of issues. This fact emphasizes the
importance of the linguistics field for teachers and researchers.
The difference in how the human brain process language compared to a computer was
very interesting and highlighted how linguistics research can be applied to the
computer science field to advance technology.