Question 1

The Sapir-Whorf hypothesis is also referred to as _____.

Accepted Answer

The Sapir-Whorf hypothesis is also known as linguistic relativity, which suggests that the language we use affects the way we perceive and think about the world. This theory proposes that our perceptions and experiences are shaped by the language we use.

Question 2

The syntax and grammar of a language refer to the:

Accepted Answer

The syntax and grammar of a language refer to the system of rules governing word forms and how words should be strung together to form meaningful utterances. This includes rules for sentence structure, word order, tense, agreement, and so on. It does not refer to synonyms and antonyms (A), rules for pronunciation (B), or rules for social use (D).

Question 3

_____ refer to nonverbal gestures that carry meaning,like a phrase or sentence.

Accepted Answer

Emblems are nonverbal gestures or signals, such as a thumbs up or nodding, that carry a specific meaning and can be used in place of verbal communication. Channels refer to the medium through which a message is conveyed, Conversation regulators are nonverbal cues that help regulate the flow of conversation, and paralinguistic cues refer to aspects of speech such as tone, pitch, and inflection.

Question 4

Which of the following is a difference between high-context cultures and low-context cultures?

Accepted Answer

The main difference between high-context cultures and low-context cultures is the way they convey messages. In high-context cultures, messages are conveyed indirectly and through context, while in low-context cultures, messages are conveyed primarily and directly through verbal language. Therefore, option B is the correct choice. Option A is incorrect because it reverses the roles of high-context and low-context cultures. Option C is incorrect because honorific speech can be used in both high-context and low-context cultures. Option D is incorrect because lexicons and pragmatics can be influenced by both high-context and low-context cultures.

Question 5

Language acquisition occurs in all individuals.

Accepted Answer

Language acquisition is a universal process that occurs in all individuals, regardless of culture or language background.

Question 6

_____ is the term used to define what we call ourselves and others.

Accepted Answer

Self-other referents refers to the way we identify and refer to ourselves and others in social situations. It involves using personal pronouns (I, me, you) and other linguistic markers to establish our relationships and roles in a given context.

Question 7

Pragmatics refers to the system of rules governing:

Accepted Answer

Pragmatics refers to the study of how language is used in social contexts, taking into account factors such as the speaker’s intentions, the listener’s interpretation, and the context of the communication. It is concerned with the rules and conventions that govern how people use language to achieve their communication goals, rather than just the structure of language itself. Options B, C, and D are more closely related to the fields of syntax, phonetics, and morphology, respectively.

Question 8

_____ refers to speech styles in certain languages that denote status differences among interactants.

Accepted Answer

Honorific speech refers to the use of linguistic forms that express politeness, respect, and deference to the listener or the subject of the speech. It is commonly used in languages such as Japanese, Korean, and Thai to denote status differences among interactants. For example, in Japanese, the honorific suffix "-san" is often used to address someone in a polite and respectful manner, such as "Suzuki-san" for Mr. Suzuki.

Question 9

What are the smallest and most basic units of meaning in a language?

Accepted Answer

The smallest and most basic units of meaning in a language are morphemes. Morphemes are the smallest units of meaning in a language that cannot be further broken down into smaller units. For example, "un-" and "-able" are morphemes that, when combined, create the word "unbreakable". Phonemes are the smallest units of sound in a language, while monemes and memes are not recognized linguistic terms.

Question 10

Which of the following is a difference between illustrative and emblematic gestures?

Accepted Answer

Illustrative gestures are used to depict or reinforce verbal communication, while emblematic gestures are used to convey specific meanings or messages without any verbal communication. Emblematic gestures can stand on their own and convey messages without any support from verbal communication, while illustrative gestures are usually used in conjunction with verbal communication.

Question 11

The smallest and most basic units of sound in a language are called _____.

Accepted Answer

Phonemes are the smallest and most basic units of sound in a language. They are distinct units of sound that can change the meaning of a word when swapped with another phoneme. Morphemes are the smallest and most basic units of meaning in a language, while monemes and memes do not have a linguistic definition.

Question 12

Which of the following is an accurate statement about infants and language?

Accepted Answer

Infants initially have the ability to produce a wide range of phonemes, but through interaction and reinforcement, their sound production is shaped to match the phonemes of their native language.

Question 13

Semantics refers to:

Accepted Answer

Semantics refers to the meaning of words, and how they relate to each other in sentences and discourse. It is concerned with how speakers and listeners understand linguistic communication, including the meanings of individual words, phrases, and sentences, as well as the social and cultural context in which they are used.

Question 14

Phonology refers to the:

Accepted Answer

Phonology refers to the study of the sound system in a given language, including the rules that govern the distribution and organization of sounds. It is not concerned with the origin of words or their spelling.

Question 15

Who among the following is using a speech illustrator?

Accepted Answer

Reuben is using a gesture to illustrate his speech, which is a form of speech illustration.

Answer: C
 Tony is using technology (Google) to aid him in correctly pronouncing words, which is also a form of speech illustration.

Therefore, the best choices are A and C.

Question 16

During an induction program,Ravi lets the new recruits know that all the senior associates in the company should be addressed as either "Sir" or "Ma'am" depending on their gender.In this scenario,Ravi is using _____.

Accepted Answer

Ravi is using honorific speech, which is the use of language or titles to show respect for someone's status or position. By instructing new recruits to address senior associates as "Sir" or "Ma'am", Ravi is using honorific speech to convey the level of respect and deference that is expected in the workplace.

Question 17

The _____ suggests that speakers of different languages think differently and that they do so because of the differences in their languages.

Accepted Answer

The Sapir-Whorf hypothesis is often referred to as linguistic relativity, and it suggests that the structure of a language influences and even determines the ways that its speakers perceive and conceive of the world around them. This theory has been debated among linguists, but it continues to be studied and discussed in various academic fields. The other choices are not related to this concept.

Question 18

Who among the following is exhibiting a nonverbal behavior?

Accepted Answer

Peter's action of giving a pat on the back is a nonverbal behavior that conveys his admiration for Meg's work.

Question 19

A lexicon refers to the:

Accepted Answer

A lexicon refers to the words contained in a language. It is essentially an inventory of the words and their meanings that make up a language.

Question 20

Human cultures exist precisely because of the ability to have language.

Accepted Answer

Language allows for communication and transmission of knowledge and ideas, which are essential in the creation and development of cultures. Without language, it would be difficult for humans to share information and collaborate effectively, leading to a lack of cultural cohesion.

Quiz 10: Culture, Language, and Communication