Language & Communication Quiz

Arbitrary signs in language have no natural connection between the word/sign and meaning.

• True

• False

An absolute universal is a feature found in all languages, without exception.

• True

• False

An example of an arbitrary sign is how smoke is a sign for fire when it is far away

• True

• False

Sociolinguistics primarily studies:

• The neurological basis of language

• The formal Structure of syntax

• The historical development of languages

• The social aspects of language use

The best example of an arbitrary sign would be:

• A man pointing towards a building to give you directions.

• A baby’s crying to get someone’s attention.

• A woman saying “Wait!” to make someone stop

• A dog barking loudly to threaten someone

Which of the following is NOT a type of language universal?

• Absolute Universal

• Pragmatic Universal

• Non-absolute universal

• Implicational universal

Neurolinguistics is the study of:

• The grammatical rules of a language

• How language is processed in the brain

• The social function of language

• The smallest units of sound

Which of the following is a Language Universal?

• Having verbs and nouns

• Having words for “Hello”

• Having five or more vowels

• Having nouns and adjectives

The property of displacement in language refers to:

• The ability to combine small units into larger structures

• The ability to change speech depending on the audience

• The ability to produce infinite sentences

• The ability to refer to things not present in time or space

Which of the following is a study of the sound system of a language?

• Phonology

• Morphology

• Syntax

• Neurolinguistics