Question 1

The system of arbitrary symbols used to encode one's experience of the world and of others is

Accepted Answer

Language is the system of arbitrary symbols used to encode experiences and communicate with others.

Question 2

The scientific study of language is known as

Accepted Answer

Linguistics is the scientific study of language.

Question 3

According to Peirce, a mode of signification in which the sign looks like that which it represents is called

Accepted Answer

An icon is a sign that looks like that which it represents.

Question 4

The principle which asserts that language has the power to shape the way people see the world is

Accepted Answer

The linguistic relativity principle, also known as the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis, suggests that the structure and vocabulary of a language influence how its speakers perceive and think about the world.

Question 5

A language with no native speakers that develops in a single generation between members of communities that possess distinct native languages is a

Accepted Answer

A pidgin is a simplified language that develops as a means of communication between speakers of different native languages. It typically arises in situations where speakers need to communicate for trade or other purposes and does not have native speakers.

Question 6

Theorizing race and language together is the project of

Accepted Answer

Raciolinguistics is the field that examines the intersection of race and language, exploring how they influence and shape each other.

Question 7

Robbins Burling argues that primate call systems

Accepted Answer

Primate call systems are fundamentally different from human language, making it hard to see how they could evolve into language.

Question 8

The purpose of raciolinguistics is

Accepted Answer

Raciolinguistics aims to explore and understand the complex relationships between language, race, and power, examining how they intersect and influence each other.

Question 9

At the beginning of the twenty-first century, many anthropologists and linguists have become involved in projects ______ languages with small numbers of native speakers.

Accepted Answer

Anthropologists and linguists often work on reviving languages with small numbers of native speakers to preserve cultural heritage and prevent language extinction.

Question 10

What did Evans-Pritchard discover in the early twentieth century about Azande language practices?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What did Evans-Pritchard discover in the early...

Question 11

Changes in the volume, tone, or rhythm of speech in language is known as prosody.

Accepted Answer

Prosody refers to the patterns of stress and intonation in a language, which includes changes in volume, tone, and rhythm of speech.

Question 12

However much we learn about language, we will never be able to exhaust its meanings or circumscribe its rules once and for all.

Accepted Answer

Language is dynamic and constantly evolving, with new words, meanings, and rules emerging over time, making it impossible to fully exhaust or permanently define its complexities.

Question 13

In the text, Dan Slobin talks about the "thinking for speaking" hypothesis. An example of this would be

Accepted Answer

The "thinking for speaking" hypothesis involves organizing thoughts in a way that is suitable for verbal expression, which is exemplified by preparing a talk for an audience.

Question 14

Recent research has led to the conclusion that pidgins and creoles are the same forms of language.

Accepted Answer

Pidgins and creoles are distinct; pidgins are simplified languages that develop for communication between speakers of different native languages, while creoles are fully developed languages that evolve from pidgins when they become native languages for a community.

Question 15

Which of the following statements about language endangerment do linguistic anthropologists consider correct?

Accepted Answer

Many languages are endangered because younger generations are not learning them, often due to the dominance of global languages.

Question 16

Which of the following statements correctly presents a position taken by those whose language is dying?

Accepted Answer

Some indigenous groups are concerned that loss of language will mean loss of access to traditional sources of religious power.

Question 17

People's vocabularies tend to reflect the way they see and/or understand their surroundings and what is important in their cultures.

Accepted Answer

Language and vocabulary are influenced by cultural values, experiences, and the environment, shaping how people express and prioritize concepts.

Question 18

Human communication extends beyond unspoken and spoken language.

Accepted Answer

Human communication includes non-verbal cues such as body language, facial expressions, gestures, and other forms of non-verbal interaction.

Question 19

If our understanding of reality is the product of a dialectic between experience and language (or, more broadly, culture), then ambiguity will never be permanently removed from any of the symbolic systems that human beings invent.

Accepted Answer

Ambiguity is inherent in language and cultural symbols because they are interpreted through individual experiences and perspectives, which are constantly evolving.

Question 20

Describe three reasons that language has been a central focus of anthropological interest. Provide examples and discuss why they are important.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Describe three reasons that language has been...

Quiz 9: Why Is Understanding Human Language Important