1. The semiotic perspective that describes language as __________ assumes that a word may
represent a wide variety of meanings.
A. Arbitrary
2. Verbal communication refers to __________.
D. Volume and intonation
3. Semiotic approaches of language consider how __________ and __________ help shape our
language use.
A. Norms
4. A tree is called a tree because someone randomly selected the symbol (word. to talk about the
object. This is an example of understanding language as __________.
A. Ambiguous
5. Andrea asks Olivia to meet her by the tree in the “free speech area” on campus to discuss the
upcoming Student Government campaign. Olivia can think of a variety of trees in that space
(oak, maple, pear, and magnolia). These associations with “tree” are the __________ meanings.
6. The Sapir-Whorf hypothesis claims that __________ shapes our __________.
7. This approach to language challenges a formalist or structural approach to study of language
8. A danger to assuming words are only or primarily representative of things is to say that
language is _________ , or, simply an assembling of assembling building blocks into something
that makes sense.
9. When we take seriously the ways language creates or builds identities, relationships,
organizations, and cultures, we understand that language is
10. ____________ is an “ideological struggle for meaning.” In other words, Each of us is
advancing our own vision or understanding of the world, as it is shaped and limited by language.
11. _______ is the researcher known for introducing a popular example regarding the number of
“Eskimo” words for snow to illustrate how language can be used to understand central aspects of
everyday language.
12. __________ and ___________ studied language across cultures and were able to discern that
language had a significant role in shaping people’s understandings of their experience.
13. The word – the spoken and/or written representation of something or someone is known as
the
14. The meaning we associate with a word is the
15. The spoken or written representation and the connotative or associated meanings of the term
become the
16. ________ was interested in understanding languages formal properties like form and
structure.
17. The argument that language does not exist in a vacuum was advanced by
18. The final and central claim of the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis is that reality is, ine the end,
shaped by our
19. The Sapir-Whorf hypothesis claims that our _______ are shaped by our language.
A. Cultures
20. ____________ are words that describe or identify a state of affairs.
A. Performatives
21. When language accomplishes action, it is known as a
A. Constative
22. The simple surface level of speech act is known as the
A. Speech movement
23. The intent behind a given performative is known as the
24. The effect of a given message is known as the
25. __________ argues that speech can have significant effects on those who witness it.
A. Sapir
26. Meaning-making is an active process.
27. According to Stewart, and the post-semiotic approach to language, we can only understand
our realities as we mediate them through words.
28. Communication occurs naturally and simply.
29. Words are just symbols, and who is speaking or what is being said matters very little.
30. A post-semiotic understanding of language assumes that words are simply representations.
31. Sue asks Rachel for a cup of tea. This simple request should have no misunderstandings
because “tea” is not arbitrary, ambiguous, nor abstract.
32. Kate tells her friend Meagan that she likes cats. Her use of the word “cats” is an example of a
signifier.
33. Justice, as a concept, is ambiguous because the word “justice” was applied to the concept
randomly.
Type: E
34. What is the speech act theory? To answer this question, please provide an explanation for the
theory. Next, define three parts of speech theory and provide an example (labeling it’s parts).
Type: E
35. Judith Bulter extended Austin’s work with performatives (speech act theory). Explain
Butler’s extensions to the theory and the significance of language performs versus language is
performative. Give an example to illustrate your argument.
Type: E
36. Stewart describes the process of articulate contact. List and explain the five key components
discussed in the Warren and Fassett text. Provide examples for each of the components.