Design Features

1. Which of the following best describes the design feature of semanticity?

• A) The ability to create an infinite number of messages.

• B) The use of symbols or signals to convey specific meanings.

• C) The use of language to discuss events that are not currently happening.

• D) The combination of meaningless units into meaningful messages.

2. The design feature arbitrariness refers to:

• A) The lack of a natural connection between linguistic signs and their meanings.

• B) The structured layers of language, such as sounds and words.

• C) The ability to talk about things that are not present.

• D) The creation of new words and sentences.

3. Duality of patterning is best explained as:

• A) The use of signals to convey different meanings.

• B) The ability to combine smaller units into larger, meaningful units.

• C) The fixed relationship between a signal and its meaning.

• D) The use of language to discuss hypothetical scenarios.

4. Which design feature allows humans to discuss past, future, or imaginary events?

• A) Productivity

• B) Discreteness

• C) Displacement

• D) Arbitrariness

5. The concept of discreteness refers to:

• A) The ability to discuss things that are not currently present.

• B) The structured combination of smaller units to form larger ones.

• C) The distinct, separate nature of individual language sounds or units.

• D) The arbitrary relationship between a word and its meaning.

6. Productivity in language refers to:

• A) The fixed relationship between language signals and their meanings.

• B) The ability to create an infinite number of messages using a finite set of elements.

• C) The use of language to talk about events that are not currently happening.

• D) The combination of meaningless sounds into meaningful messages.