Exploring Structural Linguistics: A Comparative Study of de Saussure and Bloomfield activities

Exploring Structural Linguistics: A Comparative Study of de Saussure and Bloomfield activities

· 6 min read
Exploring Structural Linguistics: A Comparative Study of de Saussure and Bloomfield activities
Exploring Structural Linguistics: A Comparative Study of de Saussure and Bloomfield activities

Exploring Structural Linguistics: A Comparative Study of de Saussure and Bloomfield activities


Questions and Answers Activity: Structural Linguistics

Instructions: Read each question carefully and write down your answer. Then, compare your answer with the provided response.

  1. Question: What is structural linguistics?

·         Answer: Structural linguistics refers to schools or theories in linguistics where language is viewed as a self-contained semiotic system, with elements defined by their relationships within the system.

  1. Question: Who laid the foundation for semiotics?

·         Answer: Ferdinand de Saussure is credited with laying the foundation for semiotics.

  1. Question: What does a linguistic sign comprise, according to de Saussure?

·         Answer: A linguistic sign consists of the signifier (word or symbol) and the signified (concept it represents).

  1. Question: What linguistic approach does de Saussure primarily adopt?

·         Answer: De Saussure primarily adopts a synchronic approach to linguistics.

  1. Question: What aspect of language does Bloomfield emphasize in his structuralism?

·         Answer: Bloomfield emphasizes language as behavior in his structuralism.

  1. Question: According to Bloomfield, where should linguistic study begin?

·         Answer: Bloomfield suggests linguistic study should start from the phonetic form, not from the meaning.

  1. Question: What concept distinguishes between langue and parole in de Saussure's structuralism?

·         Answer: The distinction between langue (language) and parole (speech) is highlighted in de Saussure's structuralism.

  1. Question: Which linguist is more open to examining the historical development of languages?

·         Answer: Leonard Bloomfield is more open to diachronic analysis of language development.

  1. Question: What term does de Saussure use to describe the arbitrary connection between the signifier and the signified?

·         Answer: De Saussure refers to this arbitrary connection as "arbitrariness."

  1. Question: Which linguist emphasizes language as a dynamic system of interconnected units?

·         Answer: Ferdinand de Saussure emphasizes language as a dynamic system of interconnected units.

 


  1. What is structural linguistics according to the provided lesson?
    • A) It emphasizes the historical development of language
    • B) It focuses on the behavior of language
    • C) It views language as a self-contained semiotic system
    • D) It primarily analyzes individual speech utterances
  2. Who is credited with laying the foundation for semiotics?
    • A) Leonard Bloomfield
    • B) Ferdinand de Saussure
    • C) Noam Chomsky
    • D) Roman Jakobson
  3. According to de Saussure, what comprises a linguistic sign?
    • A) Signifier and sign language
    • B) Signified and symbolic representation
    • C) Language and speech
    • D) Word and meaning
  4. Which linguistic approach primarily focuses on describing the structure of a language at a particular point in time?
    • A) Diachronic analysis
    • B) Phonological analysis
    • C) Synchronic analysis
    • D) Morphological analysis
  5. What is the emphasis of Bloomfield's structuralism?
    • A) Language as a static system
    • B) Language as a self-contained semiotic system
    • C) Language as behavior
    • D) Language as a universal grammar
  6. According to Bloomfield, where should linguistic study begin?
    • A) From the meaning
    • B) From the syntax
    • C) From the phonetic form
    • D) From the written form
  7. What concept distinguishes between langue and parole in de Saussure's structuralism?
    • A) Phonetics and phonology
    • B) Synchrony and diachrony
    • C) Language and speech
    • D) Syntax and morphology
  8. Which linguist was more open to diachronic analysis, examining the historical development of languages?
    • A) Ferdinand de Saussure
    • B) Leonard Bloomfield
    • C) Noam Chomsky
    • D) Roman Jakobson
  9. What term is used to describe the arbitrary connection between the signifier and the signified in de Saussure's theory?
    • A) Langue
    • B) Parole
    • C) Semiotics
    • D) Arbitrariness
  10. Which structural linguist is associated with the idea that "linguistics will have to recognize laws operating universally in language"?
  • A) Leonard Bloomfield
  • B) Ferdinand de Saussure
  • C) Noam Chomsky
  • D) Roman Jakobson
  1. What aspect of language does Bloomfield emphasize in his structuralism?
    • A) Historical development
    • B) Empirical analysis
    • C) Universal grammar
    • D) Semiotic system
  2. According to de Saussure, what does parole refer to?
    • A) Language
    • B) Speech
    • C) Signifier
    • D) Signified
  3. Which structuralist primarily focuses on language as behavior?
    • A) Ferdinand de Saussure
    • B) Leonard Bloomfield
    • C) Noam Chomsky
    • D) Roman Jakobson
  4. What term does de Saussure use to refer to the system possessed by all those belonging to the same linguistic community?
    • A) Langue
    • B) Parole
    • C) Semiotics
    • D) Synchrony
  5. Which linguistic approach is concerned with examining the historical development of languages?
    • A) Phonological analysis
    • B) Synchronic analysis
    • C) Diachronic analysis
    • D) Morphological analysis
  6. What does Bloomfield suggest should be the starting point of linguistic study?
    • A) Meaning
    • B) Syntax
    • C) Phonetic form
    • D) Written form
  7. According to de Saussure, what constitutes a virtual system that enables mutual understanding among members of a linguistic community?
    • A) Langue
    • B) Parole
    • C) Phonetics
    • D) Morphology
  8. Which linguist emphasizes language as a self-contained semiotic system?
    • A) Ferdinand de Saussure
    • B) Leonard Bloomfield
    • C) Noam Chomsky
    • D) Roman Jakobson
  9. What concept does de Saussure use to describe the linguistic sign?
    • A) Langue and parole
    • B) Signifier and signified
    • C) Phonetics and phonology
    • D) Syntax and morphology
  10. What does Bloomfield's structuralism primarily focus on?
    • A) Language as a static system
    • B) Language as behavior
    • C) Language as a universal grammar
    • D) Language as a historical artifact
  11. According to Bloomfield, where should linguistic study start?
    • A) From the meaning
    • B) From the syntax
    • C) From the phonetic form
    • D) From the written form
  12. Which linguist is known for emphasizing the arbitrary nature of language?
    • A) Ferdinand de Saussure
    • B) Leonard Bloomfield
    • C) Noam Chomsky
    • D) Roman Jakobson
  13. What does de Saussure refer to as "language"?
    • A) Langue
    • B) Parole
    • C) Phonetics
    • D) Morphology
  14. What is the primary focus of Bloomfield's structuralism?
    • A) Historical development of language
    • B) Empirical analysis of language use
    • C) Diachronic analysis of language change
    • D) Synchronic analysis of language structure
  15. According to de Saussure, what does parole encompass?
    • A) Language
    • B) Speech
    • C) Signifier
    • D) Signified
  16. Which linguist is more inclined towards examining language as it exists in historical and contemporary contexts?
    • A) Ferdinand de Saussure
    • B) Leonard Bloomfield
    • C) Noam Chomsky
    • D) Roman Jakobson
  17. What term does de Saussure use to describe the linguistic system possessed by members of the same linguistic community?
    • A) Langue
    • B) Parole
    • C) Semiotics
    • D) Synchrony
  18. Which structuralist emphasizes language as a dynamic system of interconnected units?
    • A) Ferdinand de Saussure
    • B) Leonard Bloomfield
    • C) Noam Chomsky
    • D) Roman Jakobson
  19. What does Bloomfield suggest should be the initial focus of linguistic study?
    • A) Meaning
    • B) Syntax
    • C) Phonetic form
    • D) Written form
  20. According to de Saussure, what constitutes the texts and utterances produced by an individual?
    • A) Langue
    • B) Parole
    • C) Phonetics

Haut du formulaire

the answers to the generated multiple-choice questions:

  1. C) It views language as a self-contained semiotic system
  2. B) Ferdinand de Saussure
  3. D) Word and meaning
  4. C) Synchronic analysis
  5. C) Language as behavior
  6. C) From the phonetic form
  7. C) Language and speech
  8. B) Leonard Bloomfield
  9. D) Arbitrariness
  10. B) Ferdinand de Saussure
  11. B) Empirical analysis
  12. B) Speech
  13. B) Leonard Bloomfield
  14. A) Langue
  15. C) Diachronic analysis
  16. C) Phonetic form
  17. A) Langue
  18. A) Ferdinand de Saussure
  19. B) Signifier and signified
  20. B) Language as behavior
  21. C) From the phonetic form
  22. A) Ferdinand de Saussure
  23. A) Langue
  24. D) Synchronic analysis of language structure
  25. B) Speech
  26. B) Leonard Bloomfield
  27. A) Langue
  28. A) Ferdinand de Saussure
  29. C) Phonetic form
  30. B) Parole

 

 

Gap-fill Activity: Understanding Structural Linguistics

Fill in the gaps with the appropriate words or phrases from the provided lesson.

  1. Structural linguistics, or __________, in linguistics, denotes schools or theories in which language is conceived as a self-contained, self-regulating semiotic system whose elements are defined by their relationship to other elements within the system.
  2. Ferdinand de Saussure's structuralism primarily adopts a __________ approach, which focuses on describing the structure of a language at a particular point in time.
  3. De Saussure emphasized the arbitrary nature of language, where the linguistic system establishes the connection between the __________ and the signified.
  4. Bloomfield's structuralism emphasizes language as __________.
  5. According to Bloomfield, linguistic study must always start from the __________ form and not from the meaning.
  6. De Saussure drew a distinction between __________ and parole. A langue is the virtual system possessed by all those belonging to the same linguistic community.
  7. Bloomfield's approach to structuralism is more concerned with language as it exists in __________ contexts.
  8. De Saussure's work laid the foundation for __________, the study of signs.
  9. Bloomfield posits that linguistic study must always start from the __________ form and not from the meaning.
  10. According to de Saussure, parole refers to the __________, the utterances, produced by an individual, making use of the system that is the langue.

Answers:

  1. structuralism
  2. synchronic
  3. signifier
  4. behavior
  5. phonetic
  6. langue
  7. historical and contemporary
  8. semiotics
  9. phonetic
  10. speech$