Question 1

Clay has moved to a new school.He starts using slang that other students are using even though these are words he normally doesn't use.What is Clay experiencing?
A) divergence
B) convergence
C) using differential language
D) using disruptive language

Accepted Answer

Clay is experiencing convergence, which refers to the process of individuals adapting their language or communication style to match that of a group they are interacting with.

Question 2

"Canadians love hockey." What is this statement an example of?
A) confusing self-talk
B) equivocation
C) self-fulfilling prophecy
D) stereotyping

Accepted Answer

This statement is an example of stereotyping, as it suggests that all Canadians share a common interest in hockey. While hockey may be a popular sport in Canada, it is unfair and inaccurate to assume that all Canadians love it. Stereotyping can lead to biased and limited thinking about individuals or groups based on certain characteristics or attributes.

Question 3

Which statement best illustrates stereotyping?
A) Old people get dementia.
B) Women comprise less than 10 percent of that population.
C) Disabled workers claim over $1 million per year in benefits.
D) Forty percent of the wealthiest people in the U.S. give 20 percent of their income to charity.

Accepted Answer

This statement is an example of stereotyping because it suggests that all old people will get dementia, which is not necessarily true.

Question 4

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

Accepted Answer

One common semantic problem in language is its abstract nature. Words can have multiple meanings, and context can change the interpretation of a word or phrase. This can lead to misunderstandings and miscommunication.

Question 5

"Excuse me.I have to work in the morning.Would you mind turning down the music just a little?" What form of deferential language is this?
A) an intensifier
B) a hedge
C) a hesitation
D) a polite form

Accepted Answer

This is a polite form of language as the speaker is making a request but using deferential language to not come across as rude or confrontational.

Question 6

"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 7

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 governs the ordering of words in a sentence. The correct form of the sentence would be "bring the drink here."

Question 8

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

Accepted Answer

Referring to someone solely by their disability or illness reduces them to that one aspect of their identity, which is disrespectful and dehumanizing. A more appropriate way to refer to Marjorie would be to use person-first language, such as "Marjorie has a disability."

Question 9

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 the linguistic strategy of divergence, which is when a person intentionally uses language that separates them from others or group they do not identify with. In this case, Aiden is using slang to differentiate himself from his parents and to create distance between their language use and his own.

Question 10

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

We rely on the pragmatic rule of language to distinguish a speaker's intention when we encounter unclear statements. Pragmatics is concerned with the meaning of words and phrases in specific social and cultural contexts, and how people use language to accomplish specific goals or convey particular messages. This includes interpreting non-literal language, such as sarcasm or irony, as well as accounting for factors like tone of voice, facial expressions, and body language in determining a speaker's intended meaning.

Question 11

What do people who practise convergence in their speech hope to achieve?
A) affiliation and acceptance with a group
B) agreement on a critical issue
C) resolution of a conflict
D) unity within a group

Accepted Answer

People who practise convergence in their speech hope to achieve affiliation and acceptance with a particular group or individual by adopting similar communication patterns, such as dialects, tone, vocabulary, and other speech behaviours.

Question 12

"You probably won't agree but no one should be working on Labour Day." What form of deferential language does this statement contain?
A) a disclaimer
B) a hedge
C) a hesitation
D) a polite form

Accepted Answer

The phrase "You probably won't agree" serves as a disclaimer, indicating that the speaker anticipates disagreement and is softening the assertion.

Question 13

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 14

What do the syntactic rules of language govern?
A) the words that become slang
B) the way that semanticists create meaning
C) the ways in which symbols can be arranged
D) the ways in which speakers respond to symbols

Accepted Answer

The syntactic rules of language govern the ways in which symbols can be arranged to create structured and meaningful sentences or phrases. These rules determine the order and relationship of words, phrases, and clauses within a sentence, and guide the transformation of sentences into various forms, such as interrogative, declarative, or imperative. The syntactic rules do not govern the creation of slang or the response of speakers to symbols, nor do they necessarily determine the meaning of a sentence, as meaning is also influenced by context and semantics.

Question 15

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 create sentences or phrases, without specifying their meaning. They focus on the arrangement of words, phrases, and clauses within a sentence or discourse.

Question 16

"Don't you think we should give it another try?" What form of deferential language does this statement contain?
A) a disclaimer
B) a hedge
C) a hesitation
D) a tag question

Accepted Answer

This statement contains a tag question ("don't you think?"), which is used to make the sentence less direct and more polite, showing deference to the listener's opinion or feelings.

Question 17

What is the process of adapting one's speech style to match that of others with whom the communicator wants to identify?
A) convergence
B) divergence
C) differentiation
D) accommodation

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is the process of adapting one's...

Question 18

"I'm really excited to see you." What form of deferential language does this statement contain?
A) an intensifier
B) a hedge
C) a hesitation
D) a polite form

Accepted Answer

The statement contains an intensifier ("really") to emphasize the speaker's excitement, which is a common way to strengthen a statement without altering its basic meaning.

Question 19

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

The language style described in the question is deferential. This style involves speakers using various linguistic devices to show politeness and deference to their listeners. Hedges, hesitations, intensifiers, polite forms, tag questions, and disclaimers are all examples of such devices.

Question 20

"Judges always favour women." What is this statement an example of?
A) directness
B) self-confusion
C) self-fulfilling prophecy
D) stereotyping

Accepted Answer

This statement is an example of stereotyping, as it makes a generalization about a group based on their gender and assumes that all women receive preferential treatment from judges. This stereotype is not necessarily true and ignores individual cases and circumstances.

Quiz 5: Language: Barrier and Bridge

Clay has moved to a new school.He starts using slang that other students are using even though these are words he normally doesn't use.What is Clay experiencing?

"Canadians love hockey." What is this statement an example of?

Which statement best illustrates stereotyping?

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

"Excuse me.I have to work in the morning.Would you mind turning down the music just a little?" What form of deferential language is this?

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

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

"Marjorie is a cripple." Why is this statement problematic?

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?

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

What do people who practise convergence in their speech hope to achieve?

"You probably won't agree but no one should be working on Labour Day." What form of deferential language does this statement contain?

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

What do the syntactic rules of language govern?

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

"Don't you think we should give it another try?" What form of deferential language does this statement contain?

What is the process of adapting one's speech style to match that of others with whom the communicator wants to identify?

"I'm really excited to see you." What form of deferential language does this statement contain?

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?

"Judges always favour women." What is this statement an example of?