CHAPTER 5
LANGUAGE
1. Equivocal words are words that can be interpreted in more than one way.
2. Emotive words are words that sound as if they’re describing something, but are really announcing
the speaker’s attitude toward it.
3. Linguistic relativism is a notion that holds that our cultural worldview is shaped and reflected by
the language spoken by its members.
4. “I’m rather upset” is more powerful language than “I’m upset.”
5. A perfectly worded “I” message delivered with total sincerity will ensure that the other person will
not get defensive.
6. American Sign Language is considered a literal system of communication rather than symbolic.
7. Syntactic rules govern the grammatical aspects of a language.
8. Relative words gain their meaning from comparison.
9. The U.S. is a high-context language culture.
10. High-level abstractions can be useful as verbal shorthand between two people who know each other
well.
11. All human languages are symbolic in nature.
12. Inferential statements are conclusions arrived at from an interpretation of evidence.
13. A formal language culture will have different vocabularies for different sexes, levels of social
status, different types of occasions, or degrees of intimacy.
14. “No” is so clear and short that it is one of the few words that is never misinterpreted in any
intercultural exchange.
15. Statements that contain the word “is” (“Luis is an active guy”) may lead to the assumption that
people are unchanging.
16. Women use more indirect and elaborate ways of talking than men do.
17. Research shows that linguistic differences are more often a function of gender roles than they are of
biological sex.
18. Men discuss with other men the same conversation topics that women discuss with other women.
19. Your text confirms the stereotype that women are more likely to talk about feelings and
relationships than men are.
20. Men and women report using language for different purposes.
21. The process of static evaluation implies that people or things are unchanging.
22. Syntactic misunderstandings arise when people assign different meanings to the same words.
23. Low-level abstract language can lead to blanket judgments and stereotyping.
24. Communication researchers call the process of adapting one’s speech style to match that of others
convergence.
25. There are never times when equivocal language can be useful.
26. Pragmatic rules are stated rules that help us make sense of another’s messages.
27. Affiliation can be seen in online communities by increased use of “we.”
28. There are some occasions when less powerful forms of speech can enhance a speaker’s
effectiveness.
29. Researchers have found that “I/we” combinations have a good chance of being received favorably.
30. Low-context cultures use language to maintain social harmony.
31. One way in which language styles vary across cultures is whether they are elaborate or succinct.
32. Speakers of expressive and elaborate languages, such as Arabic, probably do not value silence as
much as speakers with a more succinct style.
33. After years of research, it has been concluded that names have little effect on how others think of us
and the way we act.
34. Problems can arise when we label our opinions as facts.
35. “I” language offers a more accurate and less provocative way to express a complaint.
36. Communication scholars use the term “cooperation” to describe the way conversation operates
when everyone involved uses the same set of pragmatic rules.
37. Speech can build and demonstrate solidarity with others.
38. Language can shape our perceptions of the world.
39. Studies show that people tend to negatively judge other people who have unusual names or unusual
spellings of common names.
40. An example of divergence is when people feel more connected on the job because their swearing
patterns match those of their bosses.
41. Turning words into numbers helps make them more concrete and specific.
42. Using a similar language style while instant messaging increases the chances of a couple’s
relationship continuing by 50%.
43. Expressions of disapproval are likely to be received more positively if they include a disclaimer
such as “I don’t mean to sound judgmental but…”
44. According to research, a tentative and accommodating speech style has few, if any, advantages.
45. Swearing has no useful role in the workplace.
46. When a speaker uses powerful speech pattern he/she
a. tends to be received more positively in culture like Mexico.
b. stresses relational goals over content goals.
c. may undermine relational goals to accomplish short term goals.
d. will use very polite phrases and intensifiers.
e. will be successful in all communication encounters.
47. “We” language
a. may accomplish the goals of “I” language and sound less egotistical.
b. should be avoided when expressing personal feelings and thoughts.
c. can signal closeness and cohesiveness with others.
d. can offend another person in some circumstances.
e. All of these choices are correct.
48. The Sapir-Whorf hypothesis is the best known declaration of
a. convergence.
b. linguistic relativism.
c. identity.
d. emotive theory.
e. pragmatism.
49. In a low-context language culture, you will notice
a. indirect expression of opinions.
b. use of silence admired.
c. less reliance on explicit verbal messages.
d. self-expression valued.
e. ambiguity admired.
50. Succinctness in language is most extreme in cultures where
a. silence is valued.
b. the language system is limited.
c. more than one language is spoken.
d. verbal fluency is admired.
e. the use of equivocation is high.
51. All of the following statements about gender and language are true except which one?
a. Men’s speech is more direct and task-oriented.
b. Women’s speech is more indirect and elaborate.
c. Female speech often contains statements of sympathy and empathy.
d. Women interrupt men more in mixed-sex conversations.
e. Women are more likely to use more intensive adverbs than men.
52. When we study semantic rules, we learn that
a. words mean a lot in and of themselves.
b. understanding occurs as a result of users agreeing on the same meanings for words.
c. words typically can be interpreted in only one way.
d. meanings rest more in words than in the people who use them.
e. All of these choices are correct are true about semantic rules.
53. In cultures that stress formality in language,
a. using correct grammar is most important.
b. language use defines social position.
c. the people talk less.
d. there are fewer real friendships.
e. the people are too stiff to really communicate.
54. Equivocal words
a. have more than one commonly accepted definition.
b. are low-level abstractions.
c. mean the same to all people and are thus redundant.
d. have meanings one person can guess at but another can’t.
e. have no known nonverbal signals to accompany them.
55. Which of the following is the least abstract definition of a successful college experience?
a. a better understanding of Western civilization
b. completion of the requirements listed on page 24 of the college catalog with a grade-point
average of 2.0 or higher
c. the ability to express oneself clearly, understand principles of the arts and sciences, and have
some expertise in a chosen field of study
d. both intellectual and social adjustment
e. the ability to contribute to society
56. A speaker’s willingness to take responsibility for his/her thoughts or feelings can be indicated by
the use of
a. singular terms.
b. “I” language.
c. “you” language.
d. consequence terms.
e. euphemisms.
57. “People from the East Coast are rude.” Which of the following abstraction problems is illustrated
by this statement?
a. stereotyping
b. confusing others
c. confusing yourself
d. being too frank
e. bicoastalism
58. Which of the following is a way to avoid the abstraction in the statement “I’ve got to be a better
student”?
a. “I’m going to spend two hours a day studying.”
b. “I’m going to try harder.”
c. “I’m going to get some help from some places on campus.”
d. “My mother and father will be happier if I’m a better student.”
e. “Instructors like students who try hard.”
59. A behavioral description should include
a. who is involved.
b. in what circumstances the behavior occurs.
c. the specific behaviors.
d. All of these choices are correct.
e. None of these choices are correct.
60. If I say “here the drink bring,” I have violated a(n) __________ rule of our language.
a. initial
b. syntactic
c. median
d. semantic
e. final
61. Syntactic rules of language govern
a. the grammar of a language.
b. the ways in which speakers respond to symbols.
c. the words that become slang.
d. the creation of new tactics.
e. the way that semanticists create meaning.
62. Making an inference is a reasonable thing to do relationally as long as
a. you make a number of them.
b. you wait for the other to infer also.
c. the other person understands you.
d. you identify the inference to the other person.
e. you first describe the observable behavior that led to the inference.
63. Which of the following statements best illustrates a fact?
a. “It’s clear you shouldn’t have said that.”
b. “Fact number one: you said a dumb thing.”
c. “It’s a fact that playing mind games always backfires.”
d. “I heard you tell Tim you weren’t interested.”
e. “You should have thought about the result of saying you weren’t interested before you opened
your mouth.”
64. If you take an “easy” class your friend recommended and find it “hard,” you have had semantic
problems due to
a. euphemistic language.
b. relative words.
c. equivocal words.
d. fiction terms.
e. semantic distracters.
65. Convergent speech patterns
a. demonstrate superiority over others.
b. express power and a sense of formality.
c. demonstrate affiliation with one another.
d. always utilize “I” statements instead of “you” statements.
e. None of these choices are correct.
66. A friend told you there was a “good chance” that he would come to your party. When he didn’t
show up you were upset. The semantic problem you experienced was due to
a. emotive language.
b. relative language.
c. equivocal words.
d. euphemisms.
e. semantic distracters.
67. A culture is unavoidably shaped and reflected by the language its members speak. This concept is
a. high-context culture.
b. low-context culture.
c. cultural anthropology.
d. cognitive determinism.
e. linguistic relativism.
68. “Frank is lazy” is an example of which semantic problem?
a. equivocation
b. relative language
c. abstraction
d. static evaluation
e. none of the above
69. You think Angelique’s behavior is “arrogant.” Your friend describes the same behavior as “self–
confidence.” An argument over who is right would revolve around
a. syntactic rules.
b. the language of responsibility.
c. emotive language.
d. sequential placement.
e. linguistic determinism.
70. Misunderstandings that revolve around equivocal and relative language can all be clarified by
a. clearer punctuation of perceptual events.
b. more interpersonal and less impersonal communication.
c. replacing abstract terms with concrete ones.
d. static definitions.
e. sequential placement.
71. You tell a friend “I wish you’d be direct instead of hinting around,” but your friend responds by
denying that she/he hints. One way to help resolve the issue is to
a. describe the hinting according to the dictionary.
b. give a behavioral description of how your mother hints so your friend gets the idea.
c. specifically describe the friend’s hinting behavior when it occurs.
d. describe all at once the many times that the troublesome behavior occurs.
e. None of these choices are correct will help resolve the issue.
72. How could you increase the power of the statement “I, uh, think I’d be a little happier if you could
make it on time. Okay?”?
a. Revise the sequential placement.
b. Use perception checking.
c. Use more disclaimers.
d. Add a tag question.
e. None of the above increases the power of the statement.
73. Communication researchers call the process of adapting one’s speech style to match that of others
a. identity.
b. convergence.
c. divergence.
d. semanticism.
e. agreement.
74. Of the following statements, which is not characteristic of powerful speech?
a. It can help candidates in job interviews.
b. It often results in a favorable impression.
c. It is always preferred over less powerful forms of speech.
d. It gets different results in different cultures.
e. All of these choices are characteristic of powerful speech.
75. Saying “You’re a fantastic person” rather than “You spent your whole weekend helping me move”
is an example of
a. emotive language.
b. static evaluation.
c. higher-level abstraction.
d. relative language.
e. pragmatism.
76. Highly abstract language can lead to which of the following problems?
a. stereotyping
b. misunderstandings
c. blanket judgments
d. confusion
e. all of these choices are correct
77. What type of misunderstanding occurs when people assign different meanings to the same words?
a. syntactic
b. pragmatic
c. semantic
d. disruptive
e. linguistic relativism
78. The grammar of a language is governed by
a. semantic rules.
b. pragmatic rules.
c. syntactic rules.
d. relative rules.
e. none of these choices.
79. Of the following, what is not characteristic of pragmatic rules?
a. They are almost always stated.
b. They help us interpret messages in a given context.
c. They aren’t found in a dictionary.
d. They govern how speech operates in everyday interaction.
e. All of these choices are characteristic of pragmatic rules.
80. A female employee may rely on __________ to interpret her older male boss’s statement, “You
look very nice in that sweater.”
a. semantic rules
b. syntactic rules
c. pragmatic rules
d. abstract language
e. relative words
81. Communicators who want to show affiliation with one another adapt their speech through
a. rate of talking.
b. choice of vocabulary.
c. number of pauses.
d. level of politeness.
e. all of the above.
82. Statements that basically cancel the thought that precedes them are
a. “it” statements.
b. “but” statements.
c. “we” statements.
d. “I/we” statements.
e. “you” statements.
83. Language styles vary across cultures
a. in elaborateness or succinctness.
b. in directness.
c. in formality or informality.
d. None of these choices are correct.
e. All of these choices are correct.
84. The Star Wars character, Yoda, is following a different set of __________ rules when he says
things like “the dark side are they.”
a. pragmatic
b. semantic
c. syntactic
d. all of the above
e. none of the above
85. Which of the following is an accurate statement from the “Swearing at Work” reading?
a. Hearers who are surprised by a speaker’s swearing are likely to deem the person as
incompetent.
b. Swearing can express emotional intensity.
c. Swearing can be a term of endearment.
d. Not swearing can violate the norms of some organizations.
e. All of the above are accurate statements.
86. Which of the following statements is most concrete and measureable?
a. “It hurts a lot.”
b. “I’m pretty sore.”
c. “It’s very painful.”
d. “It hurts right here the most.”
e. “It’s a 9 on a scale of 1–10.”
87. The chapter reading titled “Finding the Words to Talk About Disability” noted that
a. parents of children with disabilities are better equipped to talk to their children about
disabilities.
b. words used to describe disabilities matter. Words become reality.
c. the words we use to discuss disabilities can enable us to see beyond the disability.
d. both b and c above.
e. all of the above are true.
88. In the “Looking at Diversity” reading in Chapter 5, Pilar Bernal de Pheils encourages health care
workers to “speak the patient’s language.” What she means by this is that
a. speaking the same language as the patient will ensure no misunderstandings occur.
b. thinking we understand the patient can be just as dangerous as not understanding.
c. as long as health care providers think they understand, there is no need to ask further questions.
d. if we understand a few basic phrases in the patient’s language, we can get by pretty well.
e. patients will feel more comfortable when providers seem overconfident.
89. In one study, participants’ physiological responses were much stronger when hearing actual swear
words than euphemisms for those words. Researchers say this is an example of
a. emotive language.
b. powerful speech.
c. semantic rules.
d. linguistic relativity.
e. high-context communication.
90. To avoid fact-inference confusion, the authors advise you to use the skill of
a. “I” messages.
b. empathy.
c. rational emotive therapy.
d. linguistic relativity.
INSTRUCTIONS for questions 91–99: Identify each of the following statements as fact or inference.
a. inference
b. fact
91. You are trying to hurt me.
92. You told Jimmy that I didn’t want to go out with him.
93. Why are you mad at me?
94. Jim wrote me a letter to help me get that job.
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95. Your children are disruptive.
96. Your children interrupted me when I spoke.
97. The school board president was arrested for drunken driving.
98. Their new apartment is more comfortable than the old one.
99. You forgot my birthday.
100. “Language is power.” Discuss this statement, using (a) an explanation of the types of
powerful/powerless language given in your text, and (b) examples of these types of language in
your own life.
Answer: will vary Type: E Pages: 165-166 Analysis
101. Compare and contrast your use of language with that of someone else you know, pointing out the
similarities or differences in: 1) verbal communication style (direct/indirect, elaborate/succinct,
formal/informal) and 2) worldview. Cite specific examples.
Answer: will vary Type: E Pages: 177-181 Synthesis
102. Describe what abstract language is and how you use unnecessarily abstract language that causes
communication problems. Give at least five examples. Tell how you could lower the level of
abstraction in each of the examples you have given or provide reasons why the higher-level
abstraction is justified and relationally beneficial.
Answer: will vary Type: E Pages: 157-159 Synthesis
103. In your own words, explain the statement “meanings rest more in people than in words.” Cite
examples from your own experience.
Answer: will vary Type: E Pages: 156-162 Application
104. According to your text, each language has its own unique style that distinguishes it from others.
Explain the three ways verbal styles vary across cultures. Include examples in your discussion.
Answer: will vary Type: E Pages: 177-180 Analysis
105. Three linguistic habits often cause disagreements: fact-opinion confusion, fact-inference confusion,
and emotive language. Explain two of the habits and provide examples in your answer.
Answer: will vary Type: E Pages: 166-169 Analysis
106. Your text identifies three areas where language shapes our perceptions: through naming and
identity, affiliation, and power. Choose two areas and explain how they have shaped your
perceptions. Include specific examples in your discussion.
Answer: will vary Type: E Pages: 162-166 Synthesis
107. Analyze a recent misunderstanding that occurred because you and another person relied on different
sets of semantic or pragmatic rules. How could the situation have been avoided? What advice could
you give to others about this area of communication?
Answer: will vary Type: E Pages: 156-162 Evaluation
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108. Explain how the ideas expressed in the section “Finding the Words to Talk About Disability” are
related to the concept of self-fulfilling prophecies described in Chapter Two.
Answer: will vary Type: E Pages: 163, 49-51 Synthesis
109. Explain how cultural differences in language use might affect intercultural business exchanges.
Give examples.
Answer: will vary Type: E Pages: 177-180 Evaluation
The following essay questions work best as “take–home” exams because of the time necessary to effectively
complete them.
110. Record two separate 10- to 15-minute conversations you have with a man and a woman who are
important in your life. Describe these conversations briefly in terms of content and style. Compare
the conversations and comment on any variables involved, using terms and research from your text
that address the issue of gender and language.
Answer: will vary Type: E Pages: 173-177 Synthesis
111. The text describes some ways in which men and women use language both differently and
similarly. Cite a major research finding in each of the following areas and cite examples from your
life that reflect these findings or contradict them: a) content, b) reasons for communicating, c)
conversational style, and d) non-gender variables.
Answer: will vary Type: E Pages: 173-177 Synthesis