Unit 5 - Language: Basic Concepts, Theories & Pedagogy
UGC NET English Paper 2 Complete Study Material
📚 This comprehensive unit covers fundamental linguistic concepts, major language theories, pedagogical approaches, and practical aspects of English usage essential for UGC NET English Paper 2 preparation.
Nature of language, Design features (Hockett), Functions of language (Jakobson), Language vs. communication, Human vs. animal communication.
"Language is a system of arbitrary vocal symbols used for human communication." - Wardhaugh
Key Concepts: Arbitrariness, Duality, Displacement, Cultural transmission, Productivity
Study Basic ConceptsArticulatory phonetics, IPA, Phonemes/allophones, Suprasegmentals, Phonological processes, English sound system.
Key Concepts: Minimal pairs, Complementary distribution, Assimilation, Elision, Stress-timing
Master PhoneticsMorphemes (free/bound), Inflection vs. derivation, Word formation processes, Morphological typology.
"Unbreakable" = un- (prefix) + break (root) + -able (suffix)
Key Concepts: Allomorphy, Compounding, Conversion, Blending, Clipping, Acronyms
Explore MorphologyPhrase structure rules, Transformational grammar, IC analysis, Grammatical categories, Syntactic functions.
NP → (Det) (Adj) N (PP)
VP → V (NP) (PP)
Key Concepts: Deep/surface structure, Movement rules, X-bar theory, Government & binding
Study SyntaxLexical relations, Componential analysis, Speech acts, Grice's maxims, Deixis, Presupposition.
"Can you pass the salt?" - Literal meaning vs. pragmatic request
Key Concepts: Synonymy, Antonymy, Hyponymy, Polysemy, Implicature, Felicity conditions
Analyze MeaningStructuralism (Saussure), Generativism (Chomsky), Functionalism (Halliday), Cognitive linguistics (Lakoff).
"Colorless green ideas sleep furiously." - Chomsky's grammatical but nonsensical sentence
Key Concepts: Langue/parole, Competence/performance, Universal grammar, Systemic functional grammar
Explore TheoriesLanguage variation, Dialects, Registers, Pidgins/creoles, Language policy, Multilingualism.
"A language is a dialect with an army and navy." - Weinreich
Key Concepts: Diglossia, Code-switching, Linguistic relativity, Language planning
Study SociolinguisticsLanguage acquisition (L1 & L2), Critical period hypothesis, Krashen's monitor model, Error analysis.
1. Acquisition-Learning
2. Monitor
3. Input (i+1)
4. Affective Filter
5. Natural Order
Key Concepts: Interlanguage, Fossilization, Contrastive analysis, Communicative competence
Learn AcquisitionMethods (Grammar-translation, Direct, Audio-lingual, Communicative), Approaches (Task-based, Content-based).
"Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn." - Benjamin Franklin
Key Concepts: PPP model, TBLT, CLT, Learner autonomy, Needs analysis
Master ELTDiscourse analysis, Stylistics, World Englishes, ESP, Corpus linguistics, New media English.
"Texting is not writing. It's fingered speech." - David Crystal
Key Concepts: Cohesion/coherence, Register analysis, Kachru's circles, Lexical bundles
Explore English UsageLanguage Analysis Practice
Identify the Linguistic Concept
The study of how language is used in social contexts, including variations based on factors like region, class, and gender.
Match the Theorist to the Concept
Language Feature Identification
Which design feature of language is demonstrated by the ability to talk about things not present?
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