Exam 5: Language

Which of the following is NOT one of the criticisms that have been levied against the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis?

The word set has nearly 200 discrete meanings in the English language. Imprecise use of set illustrates which of the following statements about language?

An I-statement claims ownership of what one is feeling or thinking, whereas a you-statement shifts that responsibility to the other person.

Words that evoke strongly positive or strongly negative connotations are known collectively as

Technically speaking, which of the following is a factual claim?

Which of the following statements about smoking is the best example of an appeal to pathos?

Research on humor has found that different cultures and societies have different ideas about what makes a joke funny. Using what you know about humor, about culture, and about language in general, explain why this should be the case. That is, why should cultures differ from each other in their appreciation of humor? In your explanation, make explicit reference to the principles of culture, language, and humor that support your argument.

Which of the following terms is onomatopoetic?

An allness claim is one in which the speaker intentionally misleads the hearer by arguing that everyone else agrees with his or her position.

People often use language that is intentionally vague or unclear. Create a situation in which someone might use vague language intentionally to mislead someone. How might you improve this situation? Finally, comment on the ethical considerations of intentionally using language that is vague or misleading. Is it unethical to use language that is intentionally vague in order to give someone the wrong impression? Are there situations in which intentionally misleading someone is acceptable?

Which of the following phrases is an example of doublespeak?

Which of the following statements would be true according to the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis?

Using emotion to persuade is known as an appeal to ethos.

Your text has made the suggestion that generally positive forms of language, like humor, can sometimes have negative consequences, and that generally negative forms of language, like profanity, can sometimes be positive. This point illustrates how much the effects of language depend on the context in which it is used. In a short essay, explain this point by using concrete examples of humor and profanity (as both positive and negative). Then, extend your discussion to the other forms of speech discussed in the chapter, including euphemism, slang, libel, slander, and hate speech. Is it true that each of these forms of language could have either positive or negative effects, depending on the context?

A structured system of symbols used for creating meaning is known as a(n)

What are the elements of the semantic triangle? Define each element, and provide an example of how they work together.

What type of language rule deals with the correct pronunciation of words?

Which of the following examples illustrates the idea of reclaiming a phrase?

Which of the following linguistic features was NOT identified in the textbook as affecting a speaker's credibility?

The claim that "4 out of 5 doctors prefer" a certain medication for a headache is an example of which kind of statement?