Deck 4: How We Use Language

Question 1

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

A) Nonverbal
B) Paralanguage
C) Language
D) Proxemics

Answer 1

Language

Question 2

Using the right words in a job interview or marriage proposal may make the difference between failure and success, because being a competent communicator requires us to use ______________ in a deliberate and informed way.

A) language
B) nonverbal communication
C) paralanguage
D) identity

Answer 2

language

Question 3

Which of the following could be described as a structured system of symbols used for communicating meaning?

A) Communication
B) Nonverbal communication
C) Paralanguage
D) Language

Answer 3

Language

Question 4

Language is characterized by the use of words, which represent ideas, observations, feelings, and thoughts. This means that words are a type of

A) language.
B) symbol.
C) rule.
D) idea.

Question 5

The word five is a(n) ____________ because it represents an idea of quantity but does not constitute the quantity itself.

A) idea
B) number
C) symbol
D) denotation

Question 6

Talking to her grandmother about her new computer, Reina uses such words as "web" and "tweet". Reina's grandmother wonders what spiders and birds have to do with Reina's computer. What can we conclude about the nature of language based on Reina's grandmother's confusion?

A) Words are fickle.
B) All language is symbolic.
C) Computer language is static.
D) Misunderstandings are humorous.

Question 7

English speakers use the word dog, even though that word actually look or sound like a dog, because they have agreed to give the word dog that particular meaning, thus showing the _______________ nature of language.

A) static
B) fixed
C) rule-governed
D) arbitrary

Question 8

Which of the following is NOT a rule that governs language?

A) Syntactic
B) Symbolic
C) Phonological
D) Semantic

Question 9

The character of Yoda is a favorite of many Star Wars fans, both for his odd looks and his unique use of the English language. Changing the conventional order of words in a sentence, Yoda might say, "Help you I can, yes" instead of "Yes, I can help you". The uniqueness of Yoda's speech is an example of what type of deviation from English language rules?

A) Syntactic
B) Phonological
C) Semantic
D) Symbolic

Question 10

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

A) semantic
B) syntactic
C) phonological
D) pragmatic

Question 11

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?

A) Syntactic
B) Pragmatic
C) Phonological
D) Semantic

Question 12

___________ rules deal with the implication or interpretation of statements.

A) Semantic
B) Pragmatic
C) Syntactic
D) Phonological

Question 13

In the hallway at school, Felipe's girlfriend says to him, "I'd like to see you later". Soon after, Felipe's economics professor also says, "I'd like to see you later". Although Felipe is looking forward to the meeting with his girlfriend, he is not as excited about the meeting with his professor, whose subject he's failing. Which rules allow Felipe to draw a conclusion about the two different meanings of the same statement?

A) Phonological
B) Syntactic
C) Pragmatic
D) Semantic

Question 14

Ross and Emma have been dating for a few months. One evening, Ross tells Emma he loves her, by which he means he likes spending time with her and enjoys her company. Emma understands this word to mean Ross is going to stay with her forever and she can plan on a long-term commitment. Which term refers to a difference in meaning, like that of the word love?

A) Definition
B) Arbitrary
C) Denotative
D) Connotative

Question 15

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

A) arbitrary
B) denotative
C) connotative
D) fixed

Question 16

Which of the following is NOT an element of the semantic triangle?

A) Referent
B) Symbol
C) Word
D) Reference

Question 17

Which statement does not apply to the semantic triangle?

A) The semantic triangle illustrates the relationship between words and their denotative and connotative meanings.
B) If several listeners hear the same word, they might attribute the same denotative meaning to it, but also different connotative meanings.
C) In its three corners, the semantic triangle portrays three necessary elements for identifying the meaning in language.
D) The differences in interpretation lie in a word's denotative, not connotative, meaning.

Question 18

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?

A) Reference
B) Referent
C) Symbol
D) Denotation

Question 19

Because of its negative historical connotation, the word Nazi is an example of which of the following?

A) Ambiguous language
B) Loaded language
C) Semantics
D) Misunderstanding

Question 20

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.

A) semantic
B) ambiguous
C) loaded language
D) emotionally charged

Question 21

Kelly asks her mother for "some" money before she goes on a trip with friends. Kelly is disappointed when her mother gives her twenty dollars, because by "some"
Money she was expecting about five times as much. Kelly's language lacked clarity, and was therefore

A) ambiguous.
B) concrete.
C) loaded.
D) semantic.

Question 22

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

A) ambiguity
B) semantics
C) abstraction
D) language

Question 23

If you can trace the progression of an idea from living creatures, to animals, to mammals, to canines, to cocker spaniels, to your pet named Lucy, what are you following?

A) Semantics
B) Ambiguity
C) The Sapir-Whorf hypothesis
D) The ladder of abstraction

Question 24

The Ashanti tribe in Africa has a proverb that says, "The poor man and the rich man do not play together". This proverb not only influences the ways tribal members see the world, but also reflects the attitudes and behaviors of the tribe's people. This example illustrates what concept?

A) Ladder of abstraction
B) Sapir-Whorf hypothesis
C) Ambiguity of language
D) Complexity of language

Question 25

Peter Gordon, a psycholinguist at Columbia University, studied Brazil's Pirahas tribe and their use of language. He found they had very few words for time and no words for numbers or numerical ideas. His study, published in the journal Science, found that the Pirahas were incapable of doing basic math, and in fact, they were incapable of learning even the concept of numbers, despite eight months of tutoring. The fact that this tribe of people could not conceive of something for which they had no vocabulary reflects what principle?

A) Linguistic relativity
B) Ambiguous language
C) Ladder of abstraction
D) Linguistic determinism

Question 26

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

A) ambiguity
B) abstraction
C) relativity
D) determinism

Question 27

You might think Rocky is stronger than Percy simply based on his name because

A) a person's name represents a sense of self.
B) a person's name can suggest information about a person's characteristics.
C) language expresses who we are.
D) names can provide clues about someone's ethnicity.

Question 28

Although William's parents name him William, he grows up being called Billy. When he goes away to college, he introduces himself to his new friends as Will. He becomes frustrated when, returning home for the holidays, his family continues to call him Billy. Which statement about language best applies to his frustration?

A) Language connects us to others.
B) Language motivates action.
C) Language expresses who we are.
D) Language controls our relationships.

Question 29

_____________ is the extent to which others perceive us to be competent and trustworthy.

A) Relativity
B) Likability
C) Ambiguity
D) Credibility

Question 30

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

A) Cliché
B) Dialect
C) Weasel word
D) Slang phrase

Question 31

Which of the following uses of language is least likely to diminish your credibility?

A) Clichés
B) Concrete words
C) Weasel words
D) Equivocation

Question 32

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?

A) Her use of a dialect different from theirs.
B) Her New Yorker clichés.
C) Her use of weasel words.
D) Her frequent equivocation.

Question 33

If you speak in a dialect familiar to your audience because you know it enhances your credibility, you are practicing ________________ theory.

A) equivocation
B) communication enactment
C) enhancement
D) communication accommodation

Question 34

_____________ is language that disguises a speaker's true intentions.

A) Dialect
B) Equivocation
C) Weasel language
D) Ambiguity

Question 35

Your mother asks you if she looks good in a particular outfit and you know it is not a flattering dress on her. You don't want to hurt her feelings, so you use _______________ by saying, "I like the cut of the dress, but isn't that a color you don't like wearing"?

A) weasel words
B) concrete words
C) equivocation
D) equalization

Question 36

Kareem interviews five students about his persuasive speech topic on the legalization of marijuana. Of the five, three support his topic. During his speech, Kareem states, "Three out of five college students believe that marijuana should be legalized". Kareem's dubious research skills led him to state the misleading data that sixty percent of students support the legalization of marijuana. Kareem is using what type of language?

A) Weasel words
B) Abstract words
C) Clichés
D) Equivocation

Question 37

Many people use social networking sites such as Facebook to meet new people and stay in contact with those they already know. Which of the following is true of the social and linguistic functions of sites like Facebook?

A) Connect us to others
B) Motivate action
C) Express who we are
D) Control contact with others

Question 38

Juan likes to say to his girlfriend things like "I hope to marry you one day" and "You are the most important person in the world to me". What is Juan using language to express?

A) Credibility
B) Affection
C) Inclusion
D) Comfort

Question 39

There are web sites and organizations that organize card drives, sending thousands of cards are sent to American troops overseas. Besides the support these cards express, what else do they provide through the power of language?

A) Inclusion
B) Identity
C) Comfort
D) Credibility

Question 40

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

A) Conversation
B) Talking
C) Equivocation
D) Gossip

Question 41

Although we sometimes ______________ about people's positive qualities, research shows that we are far more likely to talk with others about a person's negative features or behaviors.

A) talk
B) use language
C) gossip
D) connect

Question 42

When you say what you dislike about your brother's new girlfriend, you are expressing

A) criticism.
B) gossip.
C) threats.
D) jargon.

Question 43

When an instructor writes comments on an assignment to help us improve, it is considered _______________ criticism.

A) verbal
B) constructive
C) destructive
D) normal

Question 44

A declaration of the intention to harm someone is called a

A) criticism.
B) cliché.
C) weasel word.
D) threat.

Question 45

A parent saying to a child, "If you want to cry, I'll give you something to cry about"is an example of a

A) threat.
B) fact.
C) cliche.
D) criticism.

Question 46

"Subway-Eat Fresh"is an example of

A) persuasion.
B) a slogan.
C) a commercial.
D) a cliché.

Question 47

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?

A) Coercion
B) Slogans
C) Persuasion
D) Gossip

Question 48

A booster club at a local high school needs to raise money for the football team's trip to the state championships. They mail out a flyer offering potential sponsors different levels of sponsorship: $1,000 (diamond); $500 (platinum); $250 (gold); $100 (silver); $50 (bronze). The boosters were afraid that if they asked for $50 outright, many supporters would balk at the cost. But they hope that by using the __________ approach, the sponsors will think $50 is reasonable.

A) anchor and contrast
B) reciprocity
C) scarcity
D) cause and effect

Question 49

According to the _________________, we should feel a sense of duty to help individuals who have helped us in the past.

A) anchor and contrast theory
B) payback theory
C) norm of reciprocity
D) norm of scarcity

Question 50

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?

A) Cause and effect
B) Social validation
C) Scarcity
D) Reciprocity

Question 51

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

A) reciprocity
B) cause and effect
C) anchor and contrast
D) social validation

Question 52

What is a way humor does NOT enhance our communication and associations with others?

A) It can bring us closer to people.
B) It can undermine feelings of intimacy.
C) It can make social interaction more pleasant and enjoyable.
D) It can defuse stress.

Question 53

Celine asks her professor if she can give a speech on "friends with benefits". The professor agrees, thinking the topic will be on the benefits of friendship. Much to the professor's surprise, the speech is about friends who have sex with one another. Celine's professor did not realize that Celine was using a ______________ to make the topic sounds less explicit.

A) euphemism
B) slang word
C) jargon term
D) metaphor

Question 54

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

A) jargon
B) slang
C) euphemisms
D) profanity

Question 55

Seth works in computers for a large company. He is asked to give a presentation to the top executives on current issues in technology. Halfway through his speech that includes issues such as adware, biometrics, and dongles, Seth realizes he has lost his audience due to his excessive use of

A) jargon.
B) slang.
C) profanity.
D) euphemisms.

Question 56

Excessive use of ______________ can make someone feel like an outsider.

A) profanity
B) defamation
C) jargon
D) euphemisms

Question 57

Libel and slander are two types of what misuse of language?

A) Jargon
B) Defamation
C) Hate speech
D) Profanity

Question 58

Celebrity Kim Kardashian was recently sued by the Cookie Diet when she wrote negative comments about the diet and its founder on a Twitter post. The company claimed Kardashian caused tens of millions of dollars' worth of damage to their business and harm to their reputation because of her negative comments. The Cookie Diet company is accusing Kardashian of what misuse of language?

A) Profanity
B) Hate speech
C) Jargon
D) Defamation

Question 59

What is a term for language that is considered vulgar, rude, or obscene in the context of which it is used?

A) Hate speech
B) Profanity
C) Jargon
D) Defamation

Question 60

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.

A) profanity
B) jargon
C) hate speech
D) defamation

Question 61

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

A) Defamation
B) Hate speech
C) Profanity
D) Hurtful

Question 62

In 2010, high school student Phoebe Prince hanged herself after weeks of bullying during which classmates allegedly called her "Irish whore" and used Facebook posts to encourage Phoebe to kill herself. Phoebe is a tragic example of a person victimized by what kind of language?

A) Hate speech
B) Profanity
C) Language
D) Jargon

Question 63

Which term expresses a personal judgment or preference that we can agree or disagree with, but that is not true or false in an absolute sense?

A) Factual claim
B) Implication
C) Opinion
D) Inference

Question 64

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

A) Factual
B) Inference
C) Opinion
D) Profane

Question 65

In a discussion with classmates, Helen proclaims, "Abortion should be illegal in the United States". A classmate points out that her statement is not a fact, which angers Helen. She is convinced that it is a fact that abortion should be illegal and says she can prove it. Having expressed an evaluation of what "should be", Helen is unable to see that she has made what kind of statement?

A) Opinion
B) Inference
C) Identity
D) Value

Question 66

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

A) Owning his or her thoughts and feelings.
B) Separating opinions from factual claims.
C) Avoiding hate speech.
D) Speaking at an appropriate level.

Question 67

Which type of statement claims ownership of what a communicator is feeling or thinking?

A) You-statement
B) We-statement
C) They-statement
D) I-statement

Question 68

You are arguing with your cousin and getting frustrated because she does not seem to understand what you are saying. Instead of saying, "You are not listening to me", you state, "I don't think I'm being clear". You have used what principle of effectively using language?

A) Separating fact from opinion
B) Owning your own thoughts or feelings
C) Speaking at an appropriate level
D) Avoiding hate speech

Question 69

"My feelings are hurt"is an example of what kind of statement?

A) I-statement
B) We-statement
C) You-statement
D) They-statement