Question 1

What is the main idea communicated by the term linguistic relativism?
A)Language is relative.
B)Everything we talk about is relative.
C)Language strongly influences perceptions.
D)Culture determines the type of language it uses.

Accepted Answer

Linguistic relativism is the idea that language strongly influences perceptions and thoughts. It suggests that the language we speak shapes the way we think and perceive the world around us. This theory suggests that different languages may have different ways of representing the same concepts or ideas. For example, some languages may not have a specific word for a certain emotion, which could influence how that emotion is perceived and expressed within that culture.

Question 2

Which term refers to using speech mannerisms that emphasize a communicator's differences from others?
A)convergence
B)divergence
C)differentiation
D)accommodation

Accepted Answer

Divergence refers to using speech mannerisms that emphasize a communicator's differences from others.

Question 3

Aiden is a teen who has recently started to use slang that his parents don't fully understand. He also complains that his parents speak like they are "from a different planet." What linguistic strategy is Aiden using?
A)convergence
B)differentiation
C)divergence
D)stereotyping

Accepted Answer

Aiden is using divergence, which is intentionally using language that is different from the language used by a dominant group in order to establish a separate identity or to resist assimilation. He is differentiating himself from his parents and their language as a way to assert his own identity.

Question 4

"Sarah is a diabetic." Why is this statement problematic?
A)It is abstract.
B)It makes Sarah's disease her identity.
C)Not everyone has a clear understanding of the term "diabetic."
D)Sarah doesn't have diabetes.

Accepted Answer

This statement reduces Sarah to her medical condition, which is not an accurate or respectful way to describe a person. It is more appropriate to say "Sarah has diabetes" or "Sarah is living with diabetes."

Question 5

Which term refers to the idea that a culture is unavoidably shaped and reflected by the language its members speak?
A)high-context culture
B)low-context culture
C)cultural determinism
D)linguistic determinism

Accepted Answer

Linguistic determinism, also known as the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis, states that the language a person speaks determines or greatly influences the concepts and categories that they use to understand the world. Therefore, the way a culture thinks and behaves is shaped by the language they speak.

Question 6

How can a person clarify misunderstandings that revolve around emotive, equivocal, and relative language?
A)Use clearer punctuation of perceptual events.
B)Replace abstract terms with concrete ones.
C)Confine communication to static definitions.
D)Use more interpersonal and less impersonal communication.

Accepted Answer

Using concrete terms instead of abstract ones can help to clarify misunderstandings that revolve around emotive, equivocal, and relative language. Concrete language is more specific and less open to interpretation.

Question 7

What is an example of man-linked language?
A)men's washroom
B)TV shows targeted towards men
C)marketing materials that use language that attracts men
D)fireman

Accepted Answer

"Fireman" is an example of man-linked language as it uses "man" to describe a profession, implying it is male-specific.

Question 8

What is a common feature of the Arabic language?
A)direct and succinct speech
B)clear affirmations and rejections
C)strong assertions and exaggerations
D)ideas are stated once and rarely repeated

Accepted Answer

Strong assertions and exaggerations are a common feature of Arabic language, which is known for its rich and poetic expressions. This is reflected in the language's use of hyperbole and metaphor to convey meanings.

Question 9

Which of the following is a language style in which speakers defer to listeners by using hedges, hesitations, intensifiers, polite forms, tag questions, and disclaimers?
A)deferential
B)convergence
C)divergence
D)disruptive

Accepted Answer

This language style is called deferential, as it involves speakers showing respect and deference to their listeners through the use of various linguistic strategies such as hedges, hesitations, and polite forms. The other choices do not accurately describe this particular language style.

Question 10

A soccer team is at a local bar celebrating a victory. The captain is drinking excessively, and his teammates are concerned by his behaviour. The assistant captain decides to speak up and states, "I probably shouldn't say this, but you should stop drinking and go home." What type of deferential language did the assistant captain use?
A)disclaimer
B)hedge
C)hesitation
D)accommodation

Accepted Answer

The assistant captain used a disclaimer ("I probably shouldn't say this, but...") to preface his advice, indicating a form of deferential language that acknowledges potential overstepping before making a statement.

Question 11

Which rule governs the way symbols can be arranged, as opposed to the meanings of those symbols?
A)pragmatic rules
B)semantic rules
C)sequential rules
D)syntactic rules

Accepted Answer

Syntactic rules govern the way symbols can be arranged to form phrases and sentences, as opposed to the meanings of those symbols.

Question 12

What type of language rule does the statement "here the drink bring" violate?
A)pragmatic
B)semantic
C)sequential
D)syntactic

Accepted Answer

The statement "here the drink bring" violates the syntactic rule, which refers to the correct arrangement of words in a sentence to form a grammatically correct construction. In this statement, the subject "drink" should precede the verb "bring," making the correct sentence "Bring the drink here."

Question 13

Which rule of language do we rely on to distinguish a speaker's intention when we encounter unclear statements?
A)ambiguous
B)equivocal
C)pragmatic
D)syntactic

Accepted Answer

The pragmatic rule of language focuses on the meaning of a statement in context, including the speaker's intention, rather than just the literal meaning of the words. Therefore, when a statement is unclear or ambiguous, we rely on our understanding of the situation and the speaker's intended meaning to interpret what they are saying.

Question 14

Which idea is a result of the study of semantics?
A)Words have rich meaning in and of themselves.
B)Words typically can be interpreted in only one way.
C)Meanings rest more in words than in the people who use them.
D)The meanings of words come primarily from the people who use them.

Accepted Answer

The study of semantics suggests that the meanings of words come primarily from the people who use them, rather than being inherent in the words themselves.

Question 15

"I, uh, think I'd be a little calmer if you could stop driving so fast, okay?" How could this statement be more powerful?
A)Eliminate the disclaimer.
B)Eliminate the intensifiers.
C)Eliminate the polite form.
D)Eliminate the hedge.

Accepted Answer

Eliminating the hedge "uh" would make the statement more direct and straightforward, conveying a stronger message.

Question 16

Which statement demonstrates the non-sexist practice of "avoiding the generic pronoun?"
A)Green energy is good for humanity.
B)Letter carriers do their work rain or shine.
C)A good police officer always gets his man.
D)Male nurses have been expanding in number.

Accepted Answer

Choice B uses the gender-neutral term "letter carriers" instead of assuming the gender of the person doing the job. Choices A, C, and D use pronouns or gendered words (humanity, his) that assume a specific gender.

Question 17

"I was so excited when you invited me to lunch!" What is missing from this "I" statement?
A)a description of the other person's behaviour
B)a description of the speaker's feelings
C)a description of the consequences that the other person's behaviour has for the speaker
D)a description of the speaker's interpretation of the other person's behaviour

Accepted Answer

The answer of "I was so excited when you invited...

Question 18

On the strength of a recommendation from one of your friends, you took a class from a psychology instructor who your friend had described as "witty and bright." However, you find the instructor boring and dull. Why were you a victim of this misunderstanding?
A)emotive language
B)exaggeration
C)reappraisal language
D)linguistic divergence

Accepted Answer

The friend's description of the instructor as "witty and bright" is an example of emotive language, which can create positive or negative impressions and lead to misunderstandings. The friend's opinion and language may have influenced the expectations and perception of the student, leading to disappointment when the instructor did not meet those expectations.

Question 19

What is one semantic problem that is common in our language?
A)It is abstract.
B)It lacks emotion.
C)It is specific.
D)It is wordy.

Accepted Answer

One common semantic problem in our language is that it can be abstract, meaning words may not have clear or concrete meanings or may have multiple interpretations. This can lead to confusion and misunderstanding in communication.

Question 20

Which statement best exemplifies highly abstract language?
A)"You can play tennis!"
B)"Maneet is a loyal person."
C)"Turn to page 116 and do the exercise at the bottom of the page."
D)"My car wouldn't start this morning; I wish I had never bought it."

Accepted Answer

"Highly abstract" language refers to words or concepts that are vague, general, or philosophical in nature. Statement B, "Maneet is a loyal person," contains a highly abstract concept (loyalty) that can be difficult to define and varies from person to person. The other statements contain more concrete and specific language.

Quiz 5: Language: Barrier and Bridge

What is the main idea communicated by the term linguistic relativism?

Which term refers to using speech mannerisms that emphasize a communicator's differences from others?

Aiden is a teen who has recently started to use slang that his parents don't fully understand. He also complains that his parents speak like they are "from a different planet." What linguistic strategy is Aiden using?

"Sarah is a diabetic." Why is this statement problematic?

Which term refers to the idea that a culture is unavoidably shaped and reflected by the language its members speak?

How can a person clarify misunderstandings that revolve around emotive, equivocal, and relative language?

What is an example of man-linked language?

What is a common feature of the Arabic language?

Which of the following is a language style in which speakers defer to listeners by using hedges, hesitations, intensifiers, polite forms, tag questions, and disclaimers?

Which rule governs the way symbols can be arranged, as opposed to the meanings of those symbols?

What type of language rule does the statement "here the drink bring" violate?

Which rule of language do we rely on to distinguish a speaker's intention when we encounter unclear statements?

Which idea is a result of the study of semantics?

"I, uh, think I'd be a little calmer if you could stop driving so fast, okay?" How could this statement be more powerful?

Which statement demonstrates the non-sexist practice of "avoiding the generic pronoun?"

"I was so excited when you invited me to lunch!" What is missing from this "I" statement?

On the strength of a recommendation from one of your friends, you took a class from a psychology instructor who your friend had described as "witty and bright." However, you find the instructor boring and dull. Why were you a victim of this misunderstanding?

What is one semantic problem that is common in our language?

Which statement best exemplifies highly abstract language?