Chapter 8—Verbal Messages: Exchanging Ideas Through Language
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. The functions of language include:
a.
social interaction
b.
social cohesion
c.
expressions of identity
d.
A and B
e.
A, B, and C
2. Identify the correct term that refers to ‘a shared set of symbols or signs that a cooperative group of
people has mutually agreed to use to help create meaning.’
a.
language
b.
script
c.
schemata
d.
communication
e.
common mindset
3. Which of the following demonstrates the arbitrary nature of the symbols used in language?
a.
the word for ‘cat’ in Spanish is Gato
b.
the word truth means the same thing in all languages
c.
the word for ‘cat’ in German is ‘katze’
d.
A and C
e.
A, B, and C
4. Pronunciation differences in the U.S. are due to:
a.
concerted revision efforts
b.
early immigrants
c.
the natural evolution of language
d.
B and C
e.
A, B, and C
5. Differences in spelling between American English and that used in England were the result of ____.
a.
the natural evolution of language
b.
a calculated effort
c.
limited access to dictionaries and other resources in Colonial America’
d.
simple but repeated errors
e.
A, C, and D
6. Examples of regional accents in the United States include:
a.
Northern and Southern
b.
Australian and Canadian
c.
English and German
d.
Coptic and Nordic
e.
A, B, and C
7. Dialect refers to:
a.
pronunciation of shared vocabulary
b.
someone who speaks two languages
c.
differences in vocabulary and grammar
d.
pronunciation of non-shared vocabulary
e.
B and D
8. Argot refers to ____.
a.
information in short-form
b.
certain common terms
c.
a private vocabulary
d.
factoids and other simplified content
e.
A and D
9. Of the following statements, which is/are correct?
a.
slang reflects the use of nonstandard terms
b.
use of slang marks social or linguistic identity
c.
slang can be used exclusively by a co-culture
d.
A and B
e.
A, B, and C
10. The idea that language is a dominant influence in shaping one’s worldview and perception of reality is
commonly known as ____.
a.
the synergy of language and culture
b.
the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis
c.
the many-worlds interpretation
d.
the perceptual interface
e.
the linguistic theory of mind
11. Which of the following is true about the use of the Spanish language in Mexico?
a.
gendered nouns and pronouns emphasize males
b.
verb conjunctions in formal and informal speech are indistinguishable
c.
use of language reflects preference for indirectness
d.
A and C
e.
A, B, and C
12. These fundamental values of Chinese culture are expressed in language:
a.
collectivism, intra-group harmony, and societal hierarchy
b.
collectivism, intra-group harmony, societal anarchy
c.
collectivism, intra-group harmony, reduced emphasis on status
d.
individualism, state-centeredness, social control
e.
science, technology, and history
13. The importance of status is demonstrated through the language use in ____.
a.
Japan
b.
Korea
c.
China
d.
B and C
e.
A, B, and C
14. Which of the following is not correct about the Arabic language?
a.
among Arabs, it is considered one of their greatest cultural treasures
b.
linguistic identity tends to transcend ethnic origins and national borders, with a few
exceptions
c.
Arabs see the language as excluding emotional content
d.
A and C
e.
A, B, and C
15. The frequent use of the word ‘I‘ in American conversations reflects:
a.
ethnocentrism
b.
the cultural value of the individual
c.
elitism
d.
the cultural value of collectivism
e.
A and C
16. The principal difference between translation and interpretation is ____.
a.
contextual nuances in interpretation don’t apply to translation
b.
written content is generally the focus of translation whereas interpretation involves spoken
words
c.
translation occurs as it is happening while interpretation occurs after the fact
d.
the two terms are used synonymously to mean the same thing
e.
A and C
17. What is the most important consideration when choosing an interpreter:
a.
language knowledge
b.
dialect knowledge
c.
specialized terminology
d.
cultural knowledge
e.
A, B, C, and D
18. Why is English the most common language used on the Internet?
a.
the system was conceived and implemented in the U.S.
b.
the U.S. is the country with the largest number of Internet users
c.
English is the ‘lingua franca’ of scientific and academic publishing
d.
A and C
e.
A, B, and C
19. The authors refer to being receptive to new information, open to creating new categories, and
recognizing that others may not share your perspective as ____.
a.
being mindful
b.
flexhumility
c.
intercultural awareness
d.
being-in-becoming
e.
universal
20. What aspects of your speech should you attend to when engaged in a conversation with someone from
another culture?
a.
speech rate
b.
vocabulary
c.
nonverbal behaviors
d.
A and B
e.
A, B, and C
TRUE/FALSE
1. In a 2009 U.S. census report, 19% of people five years of age or older spoke a language other than
English at home.
2. Language serves other functions than directly expressing or exchanging ideas.
3. Language has little influence on the formation and expression of identity.
4. Historically, the way that people speak carries an unimaginable weight in how they are perceived in
society.
5. Language is a shared set of arbitrary symbols or signs that a cooperative group of people have
mutually agreed to use to help them create meaning.
6. Accents refer to differences in vocabulary, grammar, and even punctuation.
7. Dialects reflect the variations in pronunciation that occur when people are speaking the same language.
8. This question number was omitted in the printed copy of the test bank. To maintain the integrity of the
numbering system between the printed copy and ExamView, this question has been marked “do not
use on test” in ExamView’s question information dialog.
9. Argot is the specific term for specialized vocabulary shared by a group and jargon is the more general
term.
10. A culture’s language vocabulary emphasizes what is considered important in that culture.
11. Communicative interaction, especially conversation, is not important to most Mexicans.
12. Chinese will often use precise language to avoid conflict.
13. Japanese language reflects the culture’s emphasis on one’s social position.
14. The ‘noisy, animated speech’ form often associated with Arabs is normally limited to interactions with
elders and superiors.
15. In professional settings, translation deals with written messages only.
16. There are two types of translation: consecutive and simultaneous.
17. Language knowledge is the single most important consideration when working with translators and
interpreters.
18. The most common language among Internet users is English.
19. Being mindful, monitoring your speech rate, and selecting appropriate vocabulary are all ways to
improve intercultural communication competence.
20. Learning a second language not only allows you to communicate with more people, it can also help
you to better express yourself or explain certain concepts.
ESSAY
1. List and describe the functions language. Include an example for each.
2. Explain the relationship between language and meaning.
3. Differentiate between accents and dialects by defining each and providing examples.
4. What is an argot? How is it related to the concepts of slang and dialect?
5. How does use of slang mark social or linguistic identity? When is it commonly used?
6. What are conversational taboos?
7. Explain the relationship between language and culture.
8. Provide at least two examples of how culture is expressed through the Spanish language.
9. How is Chinese culture reflected in the use of the Chinese language?
10. Identify at least two ways that culture is reflected in the Korean language.
11. Discuss how Japanese culture is expressed through the Japanese language. Be sure to include
examples.
12. Compare the cultural values expressed in Arabic language to those expressed in the English language.
Use examples to demonstrate similarities and differences.
13. What is the difference between translation and interpretation? What type of translation is most
difficult?
14. Discuss the cultural considerations in interpretation and translation.
15. List and describe the most important factors to consider when selecting an interpreter or translator.
16. How has technology, and the Internet in particular, influenced languages in general
17. Describe each of the five suggestions offered in the text for improving intercultural interactions.
18. Explain the benefits of learning a second language. Why should U.S. citizens learn a second language?