BLL 1

What does linguistic competence refer to?

• The actual use of language in real-world situations

• A speaker's internalized knowledge of a language

• The rules of a language as it is spoken

• The ability to create novel sentences

What is the difference between linguistic competence and linguistic performance?

• Competence is about rules; performance is about use

• Competence is innate; performance is learned

• Both refer to the same concept

• Competence is about use; performance is about rules

What does a descriptive grammar aim to do?

• Objectively describe how a language is spoken

• Teach language to non-native speakers

• Analyze the historical development of a language

• Prescribe rules for correct language use

Which of the following is an example of a prescriptive grammar rule?

• Language evolves over time

• You should not split infinitives

• You can end a sentence with a preposition

• All dialects are equally valid

Why do linguists consider prescriptive grammar rules non-essential?

• They promote language change

• They are based on actual language use

• They reflect social biases rather than linguistic principles

• They are universally accepted

What does arbitrariness in language refer to?

• The relationship between words and their meanings

• The structure of sentences

• The use of onomatopoeia

• The ability to create new words

What is an example of onomatopoeia?

• Grammar

• Language

• Cat

• Buzz

What does displacement in language allow us to do?

• Use language without any rules

• Discuss abstract ideas and hypothetical situations

• Talk only about present events

• Communicate only with gestures

What does discreteness in language mean?

• Language is only spoken, not written

• Language consists of distinct units that can be combined

• Language is fluid and constantly changing

• Language has no structure

What does productivity in language refer to?

• The ability to memorize vocabulary

• The ability to create and understand novel sentences

• The ability to speak multiple languages

• The ability to translate texts