CHAPTER 4: LANGUAGE

MULTIPLE CHOICE

1. A collection of symbols governed by rules and used to convey messages between individuals is referred to in the chapter as _________________.
2. syntactic rules
3. language
4. phonological rules
5. symbols
   

Answer: B
Blooms: Remembering

A-head: The Nature of Language

Objective: 4.1: Explain how symbols and linguistic rules allow people to achieve shared meaning.

1. Arbitrary constructions that represent a communicator’s thoughts are referred to in the chapter as _________________.
2. syntactic rules
3. communication
4. phonological rules
5. symbols
   

Answer: D
Blooms: Remembering

A-head: The Nature of Language

Objective: 4.1: Explain how symbols and linguistic rules allow people to achieve shared meaning.

1. The rules that govern how words sound when they are pronounced are called _________________.
2. syntactic rules
3. semantic rules
4. phonological rules
5. pragmatic rules
   

Answer: C
Blooms: Remembering

A-head: The Nature of Language

Objective: 4.1: Explain how symbols and linguistic rules allow people to achieve shared meaning.

1. The rules that deal with the meaning of specific words are called _________________.
2. syntactic rules
3. semantic rules
4. phonological rules
5. pragmatic rules
   

Answer: B
Blooms: Remembering

A-head: The Nature of Language

Objective: 4.1: Explain how symbols and linguistic rules allow people to achieve shared meaning.

1. The rules that govern the structure of language—the way symbols can be arranged—are known as _________________.
2. syntactic rules
3. semantic rules
4. phonological rules
5. pragmatic rules
   

Answer: A
Blooms: Remembering

A-head: The Nature of Language

Objective: 4.1: Explain how symbols and linguistic rules allow people to achieve shared meaning.

1. The rules that govern how people use and understand language in everyday interactions are known as _________________.
2. syntactic rules
3. semantic rules
4. phonological rules
5. pragmatic rules
   

Answer: D
Blooms: Remembering

A-head: The Nature of Language

Objective: 4.1: Explain how symbols and linguistic rules allow people to achieve shared meaning.

1. What rules make it possible for us to agree that “bikes” are for riding and “books” are for reading?
2. syntactic rules
3. semantic rules
4. phonological rules
5. pragmatic rules
   

Answer: B
Blooms: Remembering

A-head: The Nature of Language

Objective: 4.1: Explain how symbols and linguistic rules allow people to achieve shared meaning.

1. Even though people from France and the United States spell the word “champagne” the same, Jean from France says it differently than Thomas from the United States. Which rules explain why?
2. syntactic rules
3. semantic rules
4. phonological rules
5. pragmatic rules
   

Answer: C
Blooms: Understanding

A-head: The Nature of Language

Objective: 4.1: Explain how symbols and linguistic rules allow people to achieve shared meaning.

1. “Going you the to tonight game are.”
   Which rules help explain the mistakes in the above sentence?
2. syntactic rules
3. semantic rules
4. phonological rules
5. pragmatic rules
   

Answer: A
Blooms: Understanding 2

A-head: The Nature of Language

Objective: 4.1: Explain how symbols and linguistic rules allow people to achieve shared meaning.

1. A 45-year-old man tells an unrelated teenage girl she looks pretty.
   Which rules explain why this might be an awkward situation?
2. syntactic rules
3. semantic rules
4. phonological rules
5. pragmatic rules
   

Answer: D
Blooms: Understanding

A-head: The Nature of Language

Objective: 4.1: Explain how symbols and linguistic rules allow people to achieve shared meaning.

1. Which sentence below best represents that meanings are in people, not in words?
2. Some people understand the real meanings of words.
3. It’s safe to assume all people use words the same way you do.
4. The meanings people associate with words have far more significance than do their dictionary definitions.
5. Successful communication occurs only when we let others know the true meaning of words.
   

Answer: C
Blooms: Understanding

A-head: The Nature of Language

Objective: 4.1: Explain how symbols and linguistic rules allow people to achieve shared meaning.

1. Statement A: “Woman bites dog.” Statement B: “Dog bites woman.” Statements A and B consist of the same words but have different meanings due to which rule of language?
2. Syntactic
3. Phonological
4. Pragmatic
5. Semantic

Answer: A
Blooms: Analyzing

A-head: The Nature of Language

Objective: 4.1: Explain how symbols and linguistic rules allow people to achieve shared meaning.

1. Annie is going to present a present to her friend Janice at her going-away ceremony at work. She texts Janice to confirm she is coming. She texts, “R U coming 2 the ceremony?” The ceremony will be held in the conference room. The conference room door says “Employees Only.” Which part of this description best represents the importance of phonological rules?
2. Annie is going to present a present to her friend Janice.
3. She texts Janice to confirm she is coming.
4. She texts, “R U coming 2 the ceremony?”
5. The conference room door says “Employees Only.”
   

Answer: A
Blooms: Analyzing

A-head: The Nature of Language

Objective: 4.1: Explain how symbols and linguistic rules allow people to achieve shared meaning.

1. Annie is going to present a present to her friend Janice at her going-away ceremony at work. She texts Janice to confirm she is coming. She texts, “R U coming 2 the ceremony?” The ceremony will be help in the conference room. The conference room door says “Employees Only.” Which part of this description best represents syntactic rules?
2. Annie is going to present a present to her friend Janice.
3. She texts Janice to confirm she is coming.
4. She texts, “R U coming 2 the ceremony?”
5. The conference room door says “Employees Only.”
   

Answer: C
Blooms: Analyzing

A-head: The Nature of Language

Objective: 4.1: Explain how symbols and linguistic rules allow people to achieve shared meaning.

1. When her professor hands back her exam and says, “Meet me in my office after class. We need to talk,” Tina’s stomach lurches, a reaction influenced by which rule of language?
   
2. Phonological.
3. Syntactic.
4. Semantic
5. Pragmatic
   

Answer: D
Blooms: Analyzing

A-head: The Nature of Language

Objective: 4.1: Explain how symbols and linguistic rules allow people to achieve shared meaning.

1. Which of the following statements is untrue?
2. Language is governed by rules.
3. Denotative meaning involves thoughts and feelings associated with words.
4. Denotative meanings are formally recognized definitions of a term.
5. Not all linguistic symbols are spoken or written words.

Answer: B

Blooms: Remembering

A-head: The Nature of Language

Objective: 4.1: Explain how symbols and linguistic rules allow people to achieve shared meaning.

1. Close friends and lovers often develop special terms that serve as a way of signifying their relationship. Using the same vocabulary sets these people apart from others, reminding themselves and the rest of the world of their relationship. This is referred to as ______________.
   
2. equivocation
3. responsibility
4. divergence
5. convergence
   

Answer: D
Blooms: Remembering

A-head: The Power of Language

Objective: 4.2: Identify ways in which language shapes our attitudes and reflects how we feel about ourselves and others.

1. Communicators who want to set themselves apart from others adopt the strategy of ______________.
   
2. equivocation
3. responsibility
4. divergence
5. convergence
   

Answer: C
Blooms: Remembering

A-head: The Power of Language

Objective: 4.2: Identify ways in which language shapes our attitudes and reflects how we feel about ourselves and others.

1. A person’s name, accent, usage of powerful and powerless speech, and affiliative language can affect their ______________.
   
2. status
3. attitudes
4. responsibility
5. intelligence
   

Answer: A
Blooms: Remembering

A-head: The Power of Language

Objective: 4.2: Identify ways in which language shapes our attitudes and reflects how we feel about ourselves and others.

1. Robert named his first male child Robert Jr. Based on research into names, we can conclude that naming his baby after him may help to ___________________________.
   
2. create a connection between father and son.
3. foster a sense of cultural identity.
4. facilitate discrimination in future employment decisions.
5. encourage the son to follow in his father’s footsteps.
   

Answer: A

Blooms: Understanding
A-head: The Power of Language

Objective: 4.2: Identify ways in which language shapes our attitudes and reflects how we feel about ourselves and others.

1. Research has demonstrated that ________________ are more than just a simple means of identification: They can shape the way that we view ourselves and how others treat us.
   
2. names
3. words
4. languages
5. genetics
   

Answer: A
Blooms: Analyzing

A-head: The Power of Language

Objective: 4.2: Identify ways in which language shapes our attitudes and reflects how we feel about ourselves and others.

1. Consider the statement below and choose the answer that best applies.
   “Um, I hate to ask, but can I borrow your pen perhaps?”
   
2. powerless language
3. powerful language
4. strong approach
5. weak approach
   

Answer: A
Blooms: Understanding

A-head: The Power of Language

Objective: 4.2: Identify ways in which language shapes our attitudes and reflects how we feel about ourselves and others.

1. Lt. Charles just joined the air force. She notices that the people she works with seem to have a way of speaking that is different than other groups she has observed. They use certain words that they all seem to understand. They are tight knit. She starts to use such language in an attempt to become closer to the group. What best explains her actions?
   
2. powerless language
3. powerful language
4. convergence
5. divergence
   

Answer: C
Blooms: Understanding

A-head: The Power of Language

Objective: 4.2: Identify ways in which language shapes our attitudes and reflects how we feel about ourselves and others.

1. An _____________ involves pronunciation perceived as different from the local speech style.
   
2. affiliation
3. elocution
4. accent
5. expression
   

Answer: C
Blooms: Understanding

A-head: The Power of Language

Objective: 4.2: Identify ways in which language shapes our attitudes and reflects how we feel about ourselves and others.

1. When speaking to her professor, Samantha uses words that her professor commonly uses. When speaking to her undergraduate students, Samantha uses technical words that are specific to her graduate studies. How are these instances similar?
   
2. They both use powerless language.
3. They both use powerful language.
4. They both use responsible language.
5. They both express affiliation.
   

Answer: D
Blooms: Analyzing

A-head: The Power of Language

Objective: 4.2: Identify ways in which language shapes our attitudes and reflects how we feel about ourselves and others.

1. Justin has a strong southern accent. He’s speaking with his friend Jamarcus. Jamarcus thinks of Justin as a little less sophisticated because of his accent. They’re discussing where to eat when Justin says, “It frustrates me when you always choose where we eat.” Jamarcus responds, “I hate to make you feel that way, um, is there something I can do?” Which part of the description addresses status?
   
2. Jamarcus thinks of Justin as a little less sophisticated because of his accent.
3. Justin says, “It frustrates me when you always choose where we eat.”
4. Jamarcus responds, “I hate to make you feel that way, um, is there something I can do?”
5. No part of the description addresses status.
   

Answer: A
Blooms: Analyzing

A-head: The Power of Language

Objective: 4.2: Identify ways in which language shapes our attitudes and reflects how we feel about ourselves and others.

1. Which definition best fits the description of a dialect?
2. A version of a language which is less powerful.
3. A version of a language with a distinctive pronunciation.
4. A version of a language with its own distinctive words and meanings.
5. A version of a language without a distinctive pronunciation.

Answer: C

Blooms: Remembering

A-head: The Power of Language

Objective: 4.2: Identify ways in which language shapes our attitudes and reflects how we feel about ourselves and others.

1. Listeners who assume that particular accents are invariably proof of specific abilities and traits are exhibiting _____________.
2. Status
3. Stereotypes
4. Affiliation
5. Divergence

Answer: B

Blooms: Understanding

A-head: The Power of Language

Objective: 4.2: Identify ways in which language shapes our attitudes and reflects how we feel about ourselves and others.

1. Words that have more than one definition are called _________________.
   
2. equivocal words
3. relative words
4. slang
5. jargon

Answer: A
Blooms: Remembering

A-head: Misunderstandings

Objective: 4.3: Recognize and remedy vague and confusing language.

1. A deliberately vague statement that can be interpreted in more than one way is referred to as _________________.
   
2. an inferential statement
3. an equivocation
4. a euphemism
5. emotive language
   

Answer: B
Blooms: Remembering

A-head: Misunderstandings

Objective: 4.3: Recognize and remedy vague and confusing language.

1. Words that gain their meaning by comparison are called _________________.
   
2. equivocal words
3. relative words
4. slang
5. symbiotic words
   

Answer: B
Blooms: Remembering

A-head: Misunderstandings

Objective: 4.3: Recognize and remedy vague and confusing language.

1. The language used by a group of people whose members belong to a similar coculture or other group is called _________________.
   
2. equivocal words
3. relative words
4. slang
5. jargon
   

Answer: C
Blooms: Remembering

A-head: Misunderstandings

Objective: 4.3: Recognize and remedy vague and confusing language.

1. The specialized vocabulary that functions as a kind of shorthand for people with common backgrounds and experiences is called _________________.
   
2. equivocal words
3. relative words
4. slang
5. jargon
   

Answer: D
Blooms: Remembering

A-head: Misunderstandings

Objective: 4.3: Recognize and remedy vague and confusing language.

1. A pleasant term substituted for a more direct but potentially less pleasant one is referred to as _________________.
   
2. an inferential statement
3. an equivocation
4. a euphemism
5. emotive language
   

Answer: C
Blooms: Remembering

A-head: Misunderstandings

Objective: 4.3: Recognize and remedy vague and confusing language.

1. Teaching kids to “go potty” instead of “go to the toilet” is an example of _________________.
   
2. an equivocal word
3. a relative word
4. a euphemism
5. jargon
   

Answer: C
Blooms: Understanding

A-head: Misunderstandings

Objective: 4.3: Recognize and remedy vague and confusing language.

1. Which of the following statements is true?
2. Words are imprecise by nature.
3. Equivocal understandings are usually intentional.
4. Jargon has no benefits.
5. Euphemisms always make bad news easier to bear.

Answer: A

Blooms: Understanding

A-head: Misunderstandings

Objective: 4.3: Recognize and remedy vague and confusing language.

1. The type of statement that cannot be proved or disproved is called _________________.
   
2. a factual statement
3. an opinion statement
4. an inferential statement
5. a false statement
   

Answer: B
Blooms: Remembering

A-head: Disruptive Language

Objective: 4.4: Distinguish between facts, opinions, and inferences, and avoid using disruptive language.

1. _______________ contains words that sound as if they’re describing something when they are really announcing the speaker’s attitude toward something.
   
2. An inferential statement
3. An equivocation
4. A euphemism
5. Emotive language
   

Answer: D
Blooms: Remembering

A-head: Disruptive Language

Objective: 4.4: Distinguish between facts, opinions, and inferences, and avoid using disruptive language.

1. The leader of a political party says a rival political party is “irresponsible because they are destroying the livelihood of millions of Southwestern ranchers with their policies.” An economist not affiliated with any political party cites data saying that the same ranchers “have sustained a 5 percent increase in taxes when purchasing feed.” Which statement best describes how the two statements compare?
   
2. Both statements are most likely facts.
3. The first statement more likely uses evasive language and the second more likely uses emotive language.
4. The first statement more likely uses emotive language and the second is more likely a fact.
5. Both statements use evasive language.
   

Answer: C
Blooms: Analyzing

A-head: Disruptive Language

Objective: 4.4: Distinguish between facts, opinions, and inferences, and avoid using disruptive language.

1. Fast or slow, small or large, smart or stupid, and short or long are examples of _____________ words.
2. relative
3. slang
4. jargon
5. equivocal

Answer: A
Blooms: Understanding

A-head: Disruptive Language

Objective: 4.4: Distinguish between facts, opinions, and inferences, and avoid using disruptive language.

1. Bill is talking to Ted when Ted interrupts him. Bill responds to the interruption by saying, “You couldn’t care less about anything I have to say!” This is an example of ____________.
2. fact
3. opinion
4. inference
5. equivocation

Answer: C
Blooms: Understanding

A-head: Disruptive Language

Objective: 4.4: Distinguish between facts, opinions, and inferences, and avoid using disruptive language.

1. Which statement is correct?
2. Using uncivil language is a habit that cannot be changed.
3. Emotive statements are never opinions.
4. Words cannot really cause any damage.
5. Factual claims can be proved to be false.

Answer: D

Blooms: Understanding

A-head: Disruptive Language

Objective: 4.4: Distinguish between facts, opinions, and inferences, and avoid using disruptive language.

1. The CEO of a company tells her employees that “each department will be restructuring within the next six months.” A department head in the same company tells employees that the department will sustain layoffs within the next six months. How do the statements compare?
   
2. The CEO is more emotionally responsible toward her employees, while the department head is harsh.
3. The CEO intentionally uses a vague term for “layoffs,” while the department head is more direct.
4. The CEO intentionally uses a more ethically responsible term for “layoffs,” while the department head is more direct.
5. Both statements are emotive.
   

Answer: C
Blooms: Analyzing

A-head: Disruptive Language

Objective: 4.4: Distinguish between facts, opinions, and inferences, and avoid using disruptive language.

1. Kiley is the floor manager at a major retail outlet. She is in charge of 50 employees. She recently asked Bob to walk around and do a floor check. Bob doesn’t like the request and complains to Carla. He says, “Kiley is always telling me what to do. She’s got a real chip on her shoulder, doesn’t she? She is just so bossy!”
   
   Which statement could Bob have used to express less emotive language?
   
2. “Kiley is unfairly targeting me.”
3. “Kiley seems overconfident.”
4. “Kiley is assertive.”
5. “Kiley is just too witchy.”
   

Answer: C
Blooms: Analyzing

A-head: Disruptive Language

Objective: 4.4: Distinguish between facts, opinions, and inferences, and avoid using disruptive language.

1. Which of the following is a type of disruptive language?
   
2. opinion statements
3. jargon
4. slang
5. relative words
   

Answer: A
Blooms: Understanding

A-head: Disruptive Language

Objective: 4.4: Distinguish between facts, opinions, and inferences, and avoid using disruptive language.

1. Which of the following statements about the way women and men communicate is true.
   
2. Women usually do most of the talking in professional settings.
3. When talking to other women, women tend to spend more time discussing recreational topics like technology and nightlife than men do among themselves.
4. Men and women speak roughly the same number of words per day.
5. Women seldom report talking about work, movies, and television.

Answer: C
Blooms: Remembering

A-head: Gender and Language

Objective: 4.5: Describe the ways in which traditionally male and female speech patterns are alike and how they differ.

1. Research shows that the notion that men and women communicate in dramatically different ways is __________________.
   
2. correct
3. understated
4. exaggerated
5. significant

Answer: C
Blooms: Understanding

A-head: Gender and Language

Objective: 4.5: Describe the ways in which traditionally male and female speech patterns are alike and how they differ.

1. Because women use conversation to pursue _________________ needs, female speech often contains statements that show support for the other person, demonstrate equality, and keep the conversation going.
   
2. grandiose
3. understated
4. personal
5. social
   

Answer: D
Blooms: Remembering

A-head: Gender and Language

Objective: 4.5: Describe the ways in which traditionally male and female speech patterns are alike and how they differ.

1. The difference in communication style between men and women is rooted mostly in _______________.
   
2. personalities
3. social expectations
4. expressiveness
5. feelings
   

Answer: B
Blooms: Remembering

A-head: Gender and Language

Objective: 4.5: Describe the ways in which traditionally male and female speech patterns are alike and how they differ.

1. Both men and women talk frequently about _______________.
   
2. personal problems
3. sports, technology use, and nightlife
4. family, friends, and emotions
5. work, movies, and television
   

Answer: D
Blooms: Remembering

A-head: Gender and Language

Objective: 4.5: Describe the ways in which traditionally male and female speech patterns are alike and how they differ.

1. Which of the statements below best describes how men generally communicate among themselves?
   
2. They are more likely than women to discuss relational issues.
3. They are more likely than women to emphasize making conversation fun.
4. They are more likely than women to talk about feelings.
5. They are more likely than women to discuss sports, technology use, and nightlife.
   

Answer: D
Blooms: Understanding

A-head: Gender and Language

Objective: 4.5: Describe the ways in which traditionally male and female speech patterns are alike and how they differ.

1. Which of the statements below best generalizes women’s conversational style with other women?
   
2. They are more likely than men to discuss relational issues.
3. They are more likely to use sympathy and empathy in conversations.
4. Women talk more than men.
5. They are more competitive than men in conversation.

Answer: A
Blooms: Understanding

A-head: Gender and Language

Objective: 4.5: Describe the ways in which traditionally male and female speech patterns are alike and how they differ.

1. Which statement is true of communication in online chat sites?
2. Young women are more likely to post flirtatious comments.
3. Young men are more likely to post flirtatious comments.
4. Young women are less likely to ask about and share feelings.
5. Young men and young women are equally likely to ask about and share feelings.

Answer: B

Blooms: Remembering

A-head: Gender and Language

Objective: 4.5: Describe the ways in which traditionally male and female speech patterns are alike and how they differ.

1. As neither characteristically male nor female styles of speech meet all communication needs, what does the text suggest for improving linguistic competence?
   
2. Use a female style of speech.
3. Choose one style and stick to it.
4. Switch and combine styles.
5. Use a male style of speech.
   

Answer: C
Blooms: Understanding

A-head: Gender and Language

Objective: 4.5: Describe the ways in which traditionally male and female speech patterns are alike and how they differ.

1. Jared tends to focus on solving problems and accomplishing tasks when speaking. This is known as a(n) ______________ use of language.
   
2. feminine
3. convergent
4. intersex
5. instrumental
   

Answer: D
Blooms: Understanding

A-head: Gender and Language

Objective: 4.5: Describe the ways in which traditionally male and female speech patterns are alike and how they differ.

1. Language that tends to focus on emotions is characterized as ______________.
2. affiliative
3. affective
4. effective
5. undifferentiated

Answer: B

Blooms: Remembering

A-head: Gender and Language

Objective: 4.5: Describe the ways in which traditionally male and female speech patterns are alike and how they differ.

1. When an academic study showed people interrupting female speakers more than male speakers, even though all the speakers were trained to say much the same thing, this indicated that _______________.
2. Men and women encounter different conversational climates.
3. Men and women use equally assertive language.
4. Men and women tend to talk about different things.
5. Men are more likely than women to get right to the point.

Answer: A

Blooms: Remembering

A-head: Gender and Language

Objective: 4.5: Describe the ways in which traditionally male and female speech patterns are alike and how they differ.

SHORT ANSWER

58. Which rules, discussed in the chapter, is language governed by?

Answer: Phonological rules, syntactic rules, semantic rules, pragmatic rules.

A-head: The Nature of Language

Objective: 4.1: Explain how symbols and linguistic rules allow people to achieve shared meaning.

59. What factors influence and reflect social status?

Answer: Names, accents and dialects, powerful and powerless speech, and affiliative language.

A-head: The Power of Language

Objective: 4.2: Identify ways in which language shapes our attitudes and reflects how we feel about ourselves and others.

60. What are equivocal words?

Answer: Words that have more than one correct dictionary definition.

A-head: Misunderstandings

Objective: 4.3: Recognize and remedy vague and confusing language.

61. Name the four main types of misunderstandings described in the chapter.

Answer: 1. Language is equivocal. 2. Meaning is relative. 3. Language differs by community. 4. Language is nuanced.

A-head: Misunderstandings

Objective: 4.3: Recognize and remedy vague and confusing language.

62. Name four ways to avoid disruptive language.

Answer: 1. Don’t confuse fact and opinion. 2. Don’t confuse facts with inferences. 3. Don’t present emotions as facts. 4. Don’t resort to insults.

A-head: Disruptive Language

Objective: 4.4: Distinguish between facts, opinions, and inferences, and avoid using disruptive language.

ESSAY QUESTIONS

63. Describe the elements that make up the nature of language.

Main point: The nature of language helps to explain how language operates and how we use it.

Answers must include:
a) Language is symbolic.
b) Meanings are in people rather than words.
c) Language is governed by rules: essentially, these are phonological rules, syntactic rules, semantic rules, and pragmatic rules.

Answers may include:
a) Symbols are the way we experience the world and are arbitrary.
b) Word meanings are negotiated.
c) Definitions or descriptions of the four rules

A-head: The Nature of Language

Objective: 4.1: Explain how symbols and linguistic rules allow people to achieve shared meaning.

64. Distinguish between phonological, syntactic, semantic, and pragmatic rules. Provide an example of each.

Main point: Four types of rules provide structure for language.

Answers must include:
a) Phonological rules govern how words are pronounced.
b) Syntactic rules govern the structure of language.
c) Semantic rules are guidelines about the meanings of specific words.

d) Pragmatic rules govern how people use and understand language in everyday interactions.

Answers may include:
a) Phonology is more complex than memorizing the sounds of the alphabet because the pronunciation of some words depends on their meaning.
b) Most people aren’t able to describe the syntactic rules that govern our language.
c) Problems may arise when people apply different pragmatic rules.

A-head: The Nature of Language

Objective: 4.1: Explain how symbols and linguistic rules allow people to achieve shared meaning.

65. Explain how language can shape attitudes.

Main point: The power of language has an effect on the communicator and receiver.

Answers must include:
a) Names shape the way others think of us.
b) Accents and dialects can affect a person’s social status.

d) Powerful and powerless speech can influence how one is perceived.

Answers may include:
a) Research suggests that many people pass judgment on prospective workers simply on the basis of their first name.
b) Listeners often assume that accents are linked with particular abilities and personality traits.

c) One means of building and demonstrating solidarity with others is through affiliative language.

A-head: The Power of Language

Objective: 4.2: Identify ways in which language shapes our attitudes and reflects how we feel about ourselves and others.

66. Provide advice for avoiding misunderstandings. Discuss at least three of the suggestions provided in the text.

Main point: Clear language can be used to avoid mix-ups and avert the risk of misinterpretation.

A-head: Misunderstandings

Objective: 4.3: Recognize and remedy vague and confusing language.

Answer will vary, must include three of the following:

1. Use dialectic terms, slang, and jargon with caution.
2. Explain your terms.
3. Be specific.
4. Clarify whom you represent.
5. Focus on specific behaviors.
6. Be careful with euphemisms and equivocations.

Answers will vary, may include:

1. Impetuous word choices can be confusing, hurtful, and downright wrong.
2. It may be tempting to present your opinions as if other people share them, but use an “I” statement unless you can say who “we” is.

67. Discuss some similarities and differences in the ways men and women use language.

Main point: Although there are differences in the way that men and women communicate, there are also many similarities.

A-head: Gender and Language

Objective: 4.5: Describe the ways in which traditionally male and female speech patterns are alike and how they differ.

Answers will vary, must include:
a) Men and women both talk frequently about work, movies, and television.
b) Researchers found that men and women speak roughly the same number of words per day.

c) Women tend to spend more time discussing relational issues.

d) Men tend to spend more time discussing sports, technology, and nightlife.

Answers will vary, may include:
a) In the United States, women frequently use conversation to pursue social needs.
b) A powerful force that influences the way individual men and women speak are social expectations.

c) Gender differentiations in speech do exist, but are typically greatly exaggerated.

d) Both women and men make the same hormones, but the amounts they produce differ.