Exam 4: How We Use Language

"Money doesn't grow on trees"is an example of what?

An instructor who simplifies his or her language when teaching an introductory level course as opposed to an advanced course is doing what?

Every time we watch a television commercial, read a pop-up ad on the Internet, or listen to a political speech, someone is trying to influence what we believe or how we will behave through what method?

Calling people derogatory names, intimidating them, and advocating violence against groups of individuals all qualify as what type of language?

Saying, "The governor has been ineffective in this crisis" is what type of statement?

____________ is a common communication behavior in social group settings because we frequently talk about people who are not present.

According to English professor Samuel Hayakawa, words can be arrayed along a ladder of ___________ that shows their progression from more abstract to more concrete.

The _____________________ principle maintains that people will comply with requests if they believe that others are also complying.

Whether retailers such as Walmart and Target use the phrase "Merry Christmas" or "Happy Holidays" Is a decision about what form of communication?

When you learn a new language, you must also learn new ____________ rules, so you know the correct pronunciation of words.

When McDonald's puts on its roadside signs "99 billion served", the company is hoping you will want to eat where so many other consumers have because of what principle?

Even if the denotative meanings of the words family and values are emotionally neutral, when put together, the connotation of the phrase family values becomes _______________ in U.S. politics.

To call a female dog a "bitch"is considered appropriate, but to call your math professor the same word would be considered ___________ because of the context.

Marek tells his friend Alicia that his dog bit him over the weekend. Horrified, Alicia pictures a large, aggressive dog. At the same time, she is surprised Marek has no visible injuries. Marek is amused by the misunderstanding, as he was referring to his three-pound Pomeranian. According to the semantic triangle, which element led to the miscommunication?

The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines the word persuasion as "an opinion held with complete assurance". This is the _____________ meaning of the word.

Linguistic _____________ suggests that because language determines our perceptions of reality, people see the world differently depending on what language they speak.

When you hear the word doctor, you either might think of a physician or a person with a PhD. Which linguistic rules pertain to the context by which doctor might be more precisely understood?

Which statement does not apply to the semantic triangle?

Marissa is from New York. She is sent to Georgia by her company to supervise a new division. While there Marissa notices a difference in the way language is used. For example, she uses words like "schlep" when describing her commute, while they use "y'all" Frequently. Marissa tries to be friendly with her new employees and coworkers, but they seem to question her credibility. What might be contributing to their lack of confidence in her?

Some topics are difficult or impolite to talk about directly, such as death or using the bathroom, so people tend to use ______________ instead.