Choose the correct definitions of language:

1. A. Language uses symbols that are primarily vocal but may also be visual; its subfields are phonetics, phonology, writing systems, orthography and nonverbal communication.
2. B. Language is used for communication; its subfields are sentence processing, pragmatics, discourse analysis and conversation analysis.
3. C. Language uses symbols that have conventionalized meanings; its subfields are universal grammar, innateness, emergentism, neurolinguistics and cross-cultural analysis.
4. D. Language is a systematic means of communicating ideas or feelings by the use of conventionalized signs, sounds, gestures or marks having understood meanings.
5. E. Language has region-specific characteristics; its subfields are phonetics, phonology, morphology, syntax, discourse analysis and lexical analysis.

1. AA, B and C only
2. BA, B and D only
3. CB, C and D only
4. DB, D and E only

Pick an option to check yourself, or open the answer below.

Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: B. A, B and D only

Explanation

A and B pair a property of language with the subfields that study it, and D is the standard dictionary definition. C mixes theoretical positions (universal grammar, emergentism) rather than subfields of that property, and E wrongly makes 'region-specific' a defining feature of language.