Pragmatics Quiz: Context in Language Study

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Questions and Answers

What is the main focus of pragmatics?

The abstraction from linguistic reality

The acontextual meanings of sentence types

The social uses of linguistic expressions in context (correct)

The grammaticality of a sentence

What is the main contrast between pragmatics, syntax, and semantics?

Semantics deals with contextless meanings of sentence types

Syntax focuses on the social uses of linguistic expressions

Pragmatics is about the functioning of language in context while syntax and semantics are generally contextless (correct)

Pragmatics considers sentence meaning in abstraction from any particular use

Who challenges the idea of 'sentence type' as a violent abstraction from linguistic reality?

Wittgenstein

Strawson

J. L. Austin

All of the above (correct)

What is the main reason why the characterization of semantics and pragmatics is too simple?

Most sentence types do not have acontextual meanings Signup and view all the answers

What is the key concept that pragmatics emphasizes?

The functioning of language in context Signup and view all the answers

What does the author mean by 'dead' metaphors?

Metaphors that have lost their original figurative meaning and are now idioms Signup and view all the answers

In the context of the passage, what does the author suggest about the term 'level'?

It is a dead metaphor with no other term for the meaning Signup and view all the answers

What is the author's view on the use of 'mouth' in the context of a river?

It is a dead metaphor with contemporary literal meaning Signup and view all the answers

What is the author's opinion on the term 'inclined to [do such-and-such]'?

It is a dead metaphor with contemporary literal meaning Signup and view all the answers

What does the author imply about the term 'rich dessert'?

It is a contemporary metaphor with a figurative meaning Signup and view all the answers

What does the author mean by 'dead' metaphor?

Metaphors that have lost their figurative meaning and are now used literally Signup and view all the answers

In the context of the passage, what does the author suggest about the term 'mouth'?

It is a dead metaphor that has lost its figurative meaning Signup and view all the answers

What is the main focus of pragmatics according to the passage?

The analysis of language use in context Signup and view all the answers

What is the author's opinion on the term 'inclined to [do such-and-such]'?

It is a metaphor that has evolved into a dead expression Signup and view all the answers

What is the key concept that pragmatics emphasizes?

The analysis of language use in context Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Philosophers and Language

Philosophers tend to prefer literal language and consider it the default.
The focus on literal language in philosophy is reflected in the concentration on theories of literal reference and literal meaning.

Limitations of Philosophical Approach

The bias towards literal language leads to a neglect of metaphorical and figurative uses of language.
Philosopher's emphasis on literal language is not representative of how language is used in everyday contexts.

Nonliteral Language Usage

Virtually every sentence contains importantly metaphorical or other figurative elements.
Words like "element" and "level" are often used metaphorically, rather than literally.
Nonliteral usage is the rule, rather than the exception.

Implications

The dominance of literal language in philosophy does not reflect the way language is used in ordinary contexts.
Philosophers should consider the importance of metaphorical and figurative language in understanding how language is used.

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Description

Test your knowledge of the role of context in language use and understanding with this quiz. Explore the significance of pragmatics in relation to syntax and semantics, and deepen your understanding of language functioning.