Essentials of Communication : 2. LANGUAGE CHARACTERISTICS

Language that is not based on fact cannot be damaging to other people or causes.

False

When two people of the same culture speak the same language, they always understand one another.

False

Explain the difference between informal and formal speech.

Formal language is something you would use as a teacher or business person. Formal language is also used when writing academic papers or letters. Example, a teacher is talking to his students about a topic in class or a student in a teacher program at a university had to write a paper. Informal speech is something you would use if you were talking to a friend or a cashier at a grocery store. It's just casual talking. Example, if you were to call a friend and talk about a car on the highway that had the driver talking on the phone and almost caused everyone to wreck.

An abstract word refers to a concept that is

General

Which type of troublesome language does the following statement represent? "That car is the worst one on the market. No one should buy it."

Disruptive

"Fighting words" are a type of _______ language.

Emotive

Which language style would be most appropriate for the given situation? a mission briefing for NASA astronauts

Technical Language

Words can have a positive or a negative connotation.

True

Which of the following characterize standard language? Select all that apply.

used in formal settings follows prescribed grammatical rules appears in published works

Match each vocabulary word with its definition. 1. systematic study of language 2. set of sounds that act as building blocks of meaning 3. set of patterns governing the behavior of the smallest units of meaning 4. set of rules governing the arrangement of words into phrases, clauses, and sentences 5. rules that govern word meanings 6. study of the use of language within the context of physical and social settings

1. linguistics 2. phonology 3. morphology 4. syntax 5. semantics 6. pragmatics

Which language style would be most appropriate for the given situation? a conversation with friends

Informal Language

Which type of troublesome language does the following statement represent? "He made me hit him."

Irresponsible

The following sentence is an example of which type of language? Today, I was driving to school and this guy like totally cut me off. I mean, what's up with that?

Slang

Culture may influence how language is interpreted.

True

How can you overcome troublesome communication? Select all that apply.

being truthful being kind seeking clarification

When language conventions are observed, which of the following can still cause difficulties in communication? Select all that apply.

context ambiguous words levels of abstraction

Which of the following is a fixed, often colorful expression whose meaning is not tied to the meaning of its individual words?

idiom

Which of the following are morphemes in the word "mailboxes"? Select all that apply.

mail es box

How are the four functions of language interrelated?

n/a

If you asked your friend to hand you a book and he handed you a pencil instead, which language system most likely broke down?

semantics