Pragmatics Quiz
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Pragmatics Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What is the main difference between ambiguity and vagueness?

  • Ambiguity has multiple distinct meanings, whereas vagueness has unclear boundaries. (correct)
  • Ambiguity refers to words with unclear boundaries, whereas vagueness refers to words with multiple distinct meanings.
  • Ambiguity refers to words with multiple related meanings, whereas vagueness refers to words with unclear boundaries.
  • Ambiguity is a type of vagueness that occurs in sentences, not words.
  • What is the term for a single word with multiple related meanings?

  • Vagueness
  • Homonymy
  • Ambiguity
  • Polysemy (correct)
  • What is an example of homonymy according to the text?

  • The word 'nickel' referring to both the coin and the metal.
  • The word 'bat' referring to both the mammal and the baseball implement. (correct)
  • The word 'diamond' referring to both the geometric shape and the baseball field.
  • The word 'light' referring to both brightness and weight.
  • How do dictionaries typically handle homonyms?

    <p>They list them as separate entries.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the term for a single word with multiple distinct meanings?

    <p>Homonymy</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why are the two meanings of 'present' not considered an example of vagueness?

    <p>Because the meanings are clearly defined.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the tricky case mentioned in the text?

    <p>The word 'ruler' with multiple meanings.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why are the two meanings of 'nickel' considered an example of polysemy?

    <p>Because the meanings are related.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main purpose of the maxim of Relation?

    <p>To ensure relevance to the context of the conversation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is ironic about the statement 'Everybody Loves a Whiner'?

    <p>It is meant to be ironic or sarcastic</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the expected outcome when a speaker makes a statement that is obviously false?

    <p>The listener will interpret the statement as ironic or sarcastic</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the relationship between the maxim of Relation and the context of the conversation?

    <p>The maxim of Relation considers both the textual and situational context</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the result when the interpretation of a statement as ironic or sarcastic fails?

    <p>The listener will try to find an alternative interpretation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main principle of the maxim of Relation?

    <p>Be relevant to the context</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of the maxim of Relation in communication?

    <p>To ensure the listener understands the context of the conversation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the result of a statement that is not relevant to the context of the conversation?

    <p>The listener will be confused or misled</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary purpose of the questions designed to accompany the chapter?

    <p>To reinforce students' learning of the material and extend it in new directions</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the recommended pace for covering the material in a 9- or 10-week quarter-long course?

    <p>One chapter every week</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of assessment is recommended to reserve class time for discussion in a quarter-long course?

    <p>Take-home exams or term papers</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the recommended approach to pairing the textbook with primary readings in a graduate course?

    <p>Discussing a chapter in one class period, followed by a primary reading in the next class period</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the author's emphasis on using real-life examples in teaching pragmatics?

    <p>It is necessary for full comprehension of pragmatic theory</p> Signup and view all the answers

    To whom does the author express gratitude for their mentorship in pragmatics?

    <p>Gregory Ward, Ellen Prince, Larry Horn, and Barbara Abbott</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the author's debt to Gregory Ward?

    <p>Incalculable and significant</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the author's motivation for writing the textbook?

    <p>Not explicitly stated in the text</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary consequence of violating the maxim of Quantity in the context of a job application letter?

    <p>The reader is misled into believing the candidate is suitable for the job.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to the example of the 'organic' milk label, what is the writer's intention in omitting the information about the cows' grazing habits?

    <p>To create a positive impression about the dairy's treatment of cows.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main reason why the writer of the 'organic' milk label might not mention the cows' grazing habits?

    <p>To obey the maxim of Quality by not making a false claim.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the reader's reaction to the absence of information about the cows' grazing habits on the 'organic' milk label?

    <p>The reader is suspicious about the dairy's intentions.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the consequence of the writer's decision to omit the information about the cows' grazing habits?

    <p>The reader is led to suspect that the dairy is not providing a complete picture.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary reason why the writer of the job application letter might violate the maxim of Quantity?

    <p>To avoid mentioning the candidate's dishonesty.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the relationship between the maxim of Quantity and the reader's inference in the context of the 'organic' milk label?

    <p>The reader's inference is based on the maxim of Quantity.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary implication of the writer's violation of the maxim of Quantity in the context of the job application letter?

    <p>The reader is misled into believing the candidate is suitable for the job.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary function of the maxim of Relation in a discourse?

    <p>To track meaning through an extended discourse.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In the example of the spider on the shoulder, what aspect of the maxim of Relation is being demonstrated?

    <p>The significance of situational context in determining relevance.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In the passage (33a), what inference can be made about Della's howls?

    <p>She is howling with despair.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary function of the author's statement 'And the next day would be Christmas' in passage (33a)?

    <p>To provide context for understanding the significance of the amount of money Della has.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In the passage (33b), what is the wife's response to the man's claim about the unicorn?

    <p>She tells him that unicorns are mythical creatures.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the role of world knowledge in interpreting the meaning of passage (33a)?

    <p>It provides context for understanding the significance of the amount of money Della has.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary function of the maxim of Relation in ensuring effective communication?

    <p>To establish a connection between the speaker's utterance and the context of the conversation.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the relationship between the maxim of Relation and the concept of relevance in a conversation?

    <p>The maxim of Relation determines relevance based on the situational context.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Defining Pragmatics

    • Pragmatics is a field of study that extends beyond the concepts learned in a chapter to apply theoretical concepts to real-life examples.
    • The textbook is designed for graduate or upper-level undergraduate students in a quarter- or semester-long course.

    Ambiguity and Vagueness

    • Ambiguity refers to a word, phrase, or sentence having two or more distinct meanings.
    • Vagueness refers to a term with indistinct boundaries of what it applies to.
    • Example: The word "pleasant" is vague, while the word "present" is ambiguous, with multiple meanings.

    Homonyms and Polysemy

    • Homonyms are words with the same form but different meanings, such as "light" (illumination) and "light" (not heavy).
    • Polysemy occurs when a single word has two related meanings, such as "nickel" (the coin) and "nickel" (the metal).
    • Dictionaries list homonyms as separate entries, while polysemous words are listed as subentries under a single main entry.

    Gricean Implicature

    • The maxim of Quantity states that one should be as informative as possible.
    • Violating the maxim of Quantity can lead to misleading the reader, such as omitting information about someone's dishonesty.
    • The maxim of Relation (or Relevance) requires that the current utterance be related to the context, both textual and situational.
    • Observing the maxim of Relation allows us to track meaning through an extended discourse.

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    Description

    Assess your understanding of pragmatics concepts with this quiz, designed for graduate or upper-level undergraduate students. Extend your knowledge by applying theoretical concepts to real-life examples.

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