The Principles of Language

Which of the following is an example of the denotative meaning of language?

A flower is the blossom of a plant

Which of the following is not an example of the denotative meaning of language?

A sweater is a soft and fuzzy top to keep people warm.

Language is symbolic.

T

________ of language leads to meaning. a. Interpretation b. Bypass c. Communication d. Understanding

a. Interpretation

The sentence "I think that I have never seen a poem lovely as a tree" uses the word "poem" as a __________ term in an __________ way. a. concrete, abstract b. concrete, denotative c. denotative, connotative d. connotative, abstract

a. concrete, abstract

Which of the following is an example of the connotative meaning of language? a. Snow is formed directly from the freezing of the water vapor in the air. b. Snow usually reminds me of Christmas. c. Snow is a precipitation in the form of ice crystals, mainly of intricately branched, hexagonal form and often agglomerated into snowflakes. d. Snow is cold to touch.

b. Snow usually reminds me of Christmas.

Which of the following is an accurate definition of connotative meaning? a. the specific, definitive dictionary definition b. the meaning we assign to words based on our emotions and experiences c. anything that can be experienced through our senses d. anything that cannot be experienced through our senses

b. the meaning we assign to words based on our emotions and experiences

Which of the following is not one of the four meanings we assign to language?

bypass

Which of the following statements is true? a. Everyone who speaks the same language interprets the language exactly the same way. b. All languages rely on identical symbols. c. Past experience can influence how we interpret language. d. Language does not require grammar to be understood.

c. Past experience can influence how we interpret language.

"A system of symbols structured by grammar and syntax common to a community of people" a. perception b. verbal communication c. language d. communication

c. language

Which of the following is not an example of the abstract meaning of language? a. misery b. patriotism c. duty d. bananas

d. bananas

Which of the following is an example of the concrete meaning of language? a. joy b. sorrow c. love d. paint

d. paint

Putting punctuation marks at the end of each sentence is an example of a(n) _____________.

grammar rule