Question 1

Semantics can be defined as the
A) science of meaning in language.
B) study of transformational grammar.
C) discipline devoted to creating words.
D) systematic examination of spelling and syntax.

Accepted Answer

Semantics is the scientific study of the meaning of words and phrases in language. It is concerned with how people assign meaning to words, how words are organized into phrases to convey meaning, and how different words and phrases can have similar or different meanings in different contexts. Transformational grammar (B) is a linguistic theory that explains how sentences in a language can be transformed into different structures, while creating words (C) is the study of lexicography. Spelling and syntax (D) are covered in other linguistic disciplines, such as phonology and syntax.

Question 2

Which of the following does not mean that "words are arbitrary"?
A) Words have inherent meaning.
B) Words are created by people.
C) The meaning of words is decided by listeners.
D) Things are named by people.

Accepted Answer

If words have inherent meaning, then they are not arbitrary. The fact that words are created by people, the meaning of words is decided by listeners, and things are named by people all suggest that words are arbitrary.

Question 3

Dating is a term in general semantics that means communication is improved if you always specify how your observation was made.

Accepted Answer

This is the principle of dating in general semantics, which emphasizes the importance of specifying the time, place, and circumstances of an observation to reduce misunderstandings and improve communication.

Question 4

Connotative meaning refers to the individualized,personalized meaning that we give to a word.

Accepted Answer

Connotative meaning is subjective and personal meaning that an individual gives to a word based on personal experiences, emotions, and attitudes. It is different from denotative meaning, which refers to the objective, dictionary definition of a word.

Question 5

When you say that you need "to use the rest room" instead of saying,"I have to go to the toilet," you are using slang.

Accepted Answer

Using "rest room" instead of "toilet" is not slang; it is a euphemism, a more polite or less direct way of referring to something potentially uncomfortable.

Question 6

When we say that "words are arbitrary," we mean that words have a meaning in and of themselves,a meaning that is the same for everyone using that language.

Accepted Answer

When we say that "words are arbitrary," we mean that the connection between a word and its meaning is not inherent or natural, but rather arbitrary and based on convention. The meaning of a word is not the same for everyone using that language and can vary based on context, culture, and individual experiences.

Question 7

To say that "fraternity guys are rich" is a violation of the general semanticist's notion of indexing.

Accepted Answer

Indexing in general semantics involves recognizing that not all members of a group share the same characteristics. Saying "fraternity guys are rich" ignores individual differences and overgeneralizes.

Question 8

Technical language that has been developed by a professional group is known as
A) irony.
B) paraphrase.
C) colloquialisms.
D) jargon.

Accepted Answer

Technical language developed by a professional group is known as jargon.

Question 9

The term that refers to the arrangement of words is
A) grammar.
B) code.
C) encoding.
D) syntax.

Accepted Answer

Syntax refers to the arrangement of words and phrases to create well-formed sentences in a language. Grammar is the set of rules for speaking and writing a language, while code and encoding refer to the conversion of information from one form to another.

Question 10

Paraphrasing is the repetition of a message in the same words.

Accepted Answer

Paraphrasing is the process of rephrasing or restating a message in different words while retaining the same meaning.

Question 11

Semantics is the science of meaning in language.

Accepted Answer

Semantics is indeed the science that studies the meaning of words, phrases, and sentences in language.

Question 12

Which of the following does not accurately describe what we mean when we say that language is personal?
A) We each have different vocabularies.
B) We develop our own expressions to describe our own reality.
C) We have different levels of experience that limit or expand our capacity to communicate ideas and things.
D) We each have developed language without the influence of our age,gender,or personality.

Accepted Answer

The statement "We each have developed language without the influence of our age, gender, or personality" is false. Age, gender, and personality all play a significant role in shaping our language use and development.

Question 13

Which of the following is an example of indexing?
A) Fords get great gas mileage.
B) My Shih Tzu chews on everything.Does yours do that as well?
C) Everyone in the Midwest farms.
D) All landlords are unhelpful.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following is an example...

Question 14

Syntax refers to the rules by which we arrange words.

Accepted Answer

Syntax does refer to the rules by which we arrange words.

Question 15

When we say that "the word is not the thing," we mean that the word is an abstraction,a simplification,a symbol of that for which it stands.

Accepted Answer

When we say "the word is not the thing," we are making the distinction between the symbol or representation (the word) and the actual thing or concept that it represents. The word is an abstraction because it simplifies and summarizes the complex ideas and experiences that it represents, but it does not fully capture or embody those ideas and experiences in their entirety. Therefore, it is important to recognize that the word is a representation and not the actual thing itself.

Question 16

When a professor says that in order to avoid being counted absent you must come to scheduled classes,come to class before the bell,stay the entire class period,and leave only when dismissed,she is using an operational definition.

Accepted Answer

The professor is providing a clear and specific definition of what is required to be considered "present" in her class, making it an operational definition.

Question 17

Which of the following examples best depicts the denotative meaning of a word?
A) Abortion is the murder of a fetus.
B) Abortion is the termination of a pregnancy in the first trimester.
C) Abortion is the last ditch birth control.
D) Abortion is the death of a human soul.

Accepted Answer

The denotation of a word refers to its literal or dictionary definition. Option B provides a straightforward and factual definition of abortion as the termination of a pregnancy in the first trimester, without any subjective or emotional connotations. Option A includes the controversial assertion that abortion is murder, while options C and D express personal opinions and values rather than objective definitions.

Question 18

The Sapir-Whorf hypothesis states that our perception of reality is shaped by our language.

Accepted Answer

The Sapir-Whorf hypothesis, also known as linguistic relativity, posits that the language we use influences how we see and interpret the world around us.

Question 19

Denotative meaning refers to the individualized,personalized meaning that we give to a word.

Accepted Answer

Denotative meaning refers to the literal or dictionary definition of a word, not the personalized meaning that individuals may give to it.

Question 20

Encoding means assigning meanings of words into thoughts of our own.

Accepted Answer

Encoding means converting incoming information into a form that can be stored in memory, such as assigning sounds or letters to words, not assigning meaning to words.

Quiz 3: Communicating Identities

Semantics can be defined as the

Which of the following does not mean that "words are arbitrary"?