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1.
Grammar is made up of ____________ that dictate how words should be pronounced
and___________ that dictate the placement of words in sentences.
2.
Provide a brief example to illustrate how we use the ritualizing function of language.
3.
In your own words, what is the difference between semantics and pragmatics?
4.
Define the difference between denotative meaning and connotative meaning.
5.
Briefly describe the meaning of the abstraction ladder. What is the difference between
words at the top of the ladder as compared to the ones on the lower rungs?
6.
Provide an example of a euphemism.
7.
Contrast the difference between slang and jargon.
8.
What is an example of jargon that you use at work or that you have encountered when
communicating with a professional in some field?
9.
What is the difference between hatespeech and hurtful language?
10.
Define and provide an example of politically correct language.
11.
What do we mean when we say that competent communicators use language that meets
a standard of civility, and how does that differ from rude or profane language?
12.
Define the process of code switching.
13.
Provide an example each of a context in which high language would be appropriate and
a context in which low language would be an appropriate choice.
14.
In your own words, what is the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis?
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15.
Imagine that you are a woman who is being hit on by a man you do not find attractive.
Provide an example of a resistance message that adheres to the feminine preferences
discussed in the text.
16.
Give an example of a tag question.
17.
Explain what we mean when we say that language is symbolic, informed by our
thoughts, ruled by grammar, bound by context, and that words have multiple meanings.
18.
List and explain the five functional communication competencies.
19.
Why is the use of abstract language described as a language problem? Why and how
would someone intentionally use abstract language to accomplish his or her
communication goals?
20.
Using a brief narrative example, illustrate how a person might understand how to use
language semantically but not grasp how to use those same words on a pragmatic level.
21.
Considering what you have learned throughout this chapter and others, explain why it is
important to label the things in our world, including people. Why is labeling
problematic?
22.
Define the concept of politically correct language. How do the principles of cognitive
language and the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis illuminate the underlying assumptions of the
political correctness movement? What do you understand to be the pros and cons of
using politically correct language?
23.
Synthesizing what you know about the situational context, the relational context, and the
cultural context, illustrate how language is bound by, builds on, and creates culture in
each context.
24.
Describe the differences in men’s and women’s language use. Why is it useful for us to
understand these differences? In what ways is it problematic to define particular
language patterns as masculine or feminine?
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25.
Tanya is a student at a college in her hometown, and has recently landed a summer
internship at a prestigious law firm in New York City. She’s an intelligent woman and
works hard—she is a star among her college peers, yet her colleagues dismiss her
questions and comments in meetings because of her language. They don’t seem to
understand what she’s saying and do not seem to recognize her intelligence. Synthesize
what you have learned in this chapter. Give Tanya some advice about her linguistic
challenges. Specifically, what can Tanya do to manage this communication problem?
26.
What are the challenges of using communication technology to communicate verbally?
What can we do to manage those challenges? In what ways have technologies like
e-mail, chat, and text messaging changed the way we communicate verbally?
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