Chapter 05 – Verbal Issues in Intercultural Communication
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CHAPTER FIVE
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Which of the following statements is true about the study of phonology?
d. It includes the study of how a language is actually used in particular contexts and focuses
on specific purposes of language use.
2. Which of the following is best defined as the study of meaning, or how words communicate
the meaning we intend to get across in our communication?
a. phonology
3. Which of the following is best defined as the study of the structure of a language, or the rules
for combining words into meaningful sentences?
d. phonology
4. Which of the following is best defined as the study of how a language is actually used in
particular contexts?
5. Which of the following is a salient feature of slang?
a. It is less creative than standard language.
6. Communication which is indirect because most of the meaning is internalized in a person is
known as _____ communication.
Chapter 05 – Verbal Issues in Intercultural Communication
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d. elaborate
7. When the majority of a message is in the spoken word, a speaker is probably using the _____
communication style.
d. affective
8. Which of the following statements is true about high-context communication?
a. It places the majority of meaning and information in the verbal message.
9. The _____ communication style emphasizes verbal messages that reveal a speaker’s true
intentions, needs, wants, or desires.
d. understated
10. Denise wants a new coat. Instead of asking her mother outright (which would be improper in
her family), she openly admires the coats of others. Denise is using a(n) _____ style of
communication.
a. direct
11. Many Arabic speakers use rich, expressive language in everyday talk. They probably are
using a(n) _____ style of communication.
d. understated
12. In the _____ style of communication, simple assertions and silence are valued.
a. elaborate
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13. The _____ style of communication, which emphasizes being explicit, is highly valued in
many cultures where people feel it is better to get to the point, be explicit, and not leave
things unstated.
d. indirect
14. Howard thinks that relationships are the most important aspect of life, so if he has
information that might upset the other person, he may not share it completely. Howard
probably prefers the _____ style of communication.
d. elaborate
15. Ramona believes in “telling it like it is” with her roommates, even though sometimes that
means saying negative things. Ramona is probably using the _____ style of communication.
a. understated
16. Changing our communication style so that we can be more effective communicators in
another culture is known as _____.
a. language acquisition
17. Darrel is gay, and a few of his colleagues are aware of this. At work, he uses communication
strategies that emphasize trying to fit in and be accepted by a dominant group. He talks about
his nephews when his colleagues talk about their kids and he laughs at some homophobic
jokes he does not really feel are funny. In this scenario, Darrel is using _____ strategies in
order to assimilate.
a. assertive
18. Eduardo, a student who uses a wheel chair, goes to great lengths to prove that he is like the
other students. He separates himself as much as possible from other people with disabilities
and engages in self-ridicule to show that he is humble. In this scenario, Eduardo is using
a(n)_____ assimilation strategy.
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d. instrumental
19. Which of the following statements is true about assertive accommodation strategies?
d. These strategies involve becoming a part of dominant structures and then working from
within to promote significant changes, even if the personal costs are high.
20. Which of the following statements is true about nonassertive accommodation strategies?
d. These strategies involve becoming a part of dominant structures and then working from
within to promote significant changes, no matter how high the personal cost.
21. Sankaran immigrated to the United States from India as a child. Although he speaks fluent
English, he prefers to live, work, and socialize with people who look like him. Sankaran has
chosen to use a(n) _____ separation strategy.
a. assertive
22. _____ separation strategies (e.g., attacking and sabotaging others) are used by those for
whom cocultural segregation is an important priority.
a. Elaborate
23. People who speak more than two languages are considered _____.
d. translators
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24. Which of the following is best defined as the process of verbally expressing what is said or
written in another languages?
a. translation
25. Cliff is in the process of producing an English target text that refers to an article written in
Portuguese (source text). Cliff is engaged in _____.
d. interpretation
26. John, a White American, wasn’t sure what to do when he was called on to make a toast at his
Filipino friend’s engagement party. He “winged it,” patterning his remarks after the last
toast by the groom’s father, and it was well received. Which of the following statements is
true of John, considering he did not know exactly what to say?
d. John engaged in interpreting what the groom’s father said.
27. In German, the modifier goes before the verb instead of after. Jorg, a native German speaker,
says “Interesting this is.” In this scenario, which of the following statements is true of Jorg?
a. He is improvising his performance.
28. Cocultural groups sometimes develop a language that is designed largely to be understood
only by insiders and to keep certain communications from outsiders. What is this language
called?
a. verlan
29. Verlan is a special form of _____, used by French cocultural groups, in which words are
reversed to keep their meaning secret.
a. equivalency
Commented [MPS1]: AQ: Should it be changed to
“another language” or “other languages”?
Chapter 05 – Verbal Issues in Intercultural Communication
True or False
30. Groups with the most power in a society use a communication system that supports their
perception of the world.
31. Nonassertive separation strategies are used by people who assume that segregation is a part
of everyday life.
32. Learning a new language involves only learning new words and their meaning.
33. Most bilinguals speak both languages at the same level of fluency.
34. One of the benefits of assertive separation strategies, like the nonassertive strategies, is that
they promote cocultural unity and self-determination.
35. Learning the language of a group a person dislikes is pretty much the same as learning the
language of a more favored group.
36. A law stating that English is the only language to be used in educational settings would be a
language policy.
37. Trying to use humor in a foreign language can be really challenging because the basis of
humor is so often linked to particular cultural experiences.
38. The direct style of communication is often used when individuals wish to preserve the
harmony of a relationship.
Chapter 05 – Verbal Issues in Intercultural Communication
Essay Questions
39. Discuss the power effects of labels.
40. Identify and discuss the issues of equivalency and accuracy in interpretation and translation.
41. Compare and contrast the high-context communication style with the understated
communication style.
42. What might the benefits of the nonassertive assimilation style be for a Muslim American
working in an organization run by Protestant Americans? What might be the costs of using
this approach?
43. Compare and contrast third culture style with improvised performance. In what situations
would each be most beneficial?
44. Explain the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis.
45. Under what circumstances might silence be a primary mode of communication in the United
States of America?
46. Why are differences in social positions central to understanding communication?