SPC 1017 – Final Exam – Questions and Solutions – 2025/2026
Denotative meaning - ANS✔✔ the dictionary definition of a word
Connotative meaning - ANS✔✔ the feelings or associations each individual has about a word
Semantic triangle - ANS✔✔ used to explain the relationship between symbols (words) and
thoughts
three parts of semantic triangle - ANS✔✔ 1. symbol: first peak
2. thought:at second peak, the words we use to think about the symbol
3. referent: third, the image we create in our minds as a result of the symbol
Ladder of abstraction - ANS✔✔ a diagram of how we abstract through language, classifications,
types, categories, etc. Symbol gets more abstract as you climb ladder
People determine meanings - ANS✔✔ receivers determine meanings, not givers
Language and Online Credibility - ANS✔✔ social media= many receivers with different
interpretations of the world. Eliminate typos, outline ideas, avoid profanity
Four elements of the language environment - ANS✔✔ 1. People- who is there?
2. Purpose: why are they there?
3. Rules of communication: by which they achieve their goal
4. The actual talk: used in the situation
, Ritual Language - ANS✔✔ Has to do with rules of communication, takes place in environments
where a conventionalized response is expected of you
Euphemisms - ANS✔✔ used in offensive words or phrases to "pretty up" unpleasant comments
Doublespeak - ANS✔✔ deliberately constructed for political purposes, ambiguous or obscure,
used to disguise or distort the meaning of words to make the truth sound more palatable.
Racist language - ANS✔✔ describes the majority of group in positive terms and minority groups
in negative terms, used to keep dominant group in charge
Sexist language - ANS✔✔ language that excludes a gender
Ableist language - ANS✔✔ language that is prejudiced against people with disabilities
Specialization - ANS✔✔ words that are only used in certain environment, usually professions
where only the practitioners understand the language
style - ANS✔✔ the result of the way you select and arrange words and sentences. Style is
closely related to the roles we play
Rapport talk - ANS✔✔ used by women, designed to lead to intimacy with others, match
experiences, and establish relationships
Report talk - ANS✔✔ mens goal, the speakers is to maintain status, to demonstrate knowledge
and skills, and to keep the center-stage position
Denotative meaning - ANS✔✔ the dictionary definition of a word
Connotative meaning - ANS✔✔ the feelings or associations each individual has about a word
Semantic triangle - ANS✔✔ used to explain the relationship between symbols (words) and
thoughts
three parts of semantic triangle - ANS✔✔ 1. symbol: first peak
2. thought:at second peak, the words we use to think about the symbol
3. referent: third, the image we create in our minds as a result of the symbol
Ladder of abstraction - ANS✔✔ a diagram of how we abstract through language, classifications,
types, categories, etc. Symbol gets more abstract as you climb ladder
People determine meanings - ANS✔✔ receivers determine meanings, not givers
Language and Online Credibility - ANS✔✔ social media= many receivers with different
interpretations of the world. Eliminate typos, outline ideas, avoid profanity
Four elements of the language environment - ANS✔✔ 1. People- who is there?
2. Purpose: why are they there?
3. Rules of communication: by which they achieve their goal
4. The actual talk: used in the situation
, Ritual Language - ANS✔✔ Has to do with rules of communication, takes place in environments
where a conventionalized response is expected of you
Euphemisms - ANS✔✔ used in offensive words or phrases to "pretty up" unpleasant comments
Doublespeak - ANS✔✔ deliberately constructed for political purposes, ambiguous or obscure,
used to disguise or distort the meaning of words to make the truth sound more palatable.
Racist language - ANS✔✔ describes the majority of group in positive terms and minority groups
in negative terms, used to keep dominant group in charge
Sexist language - ANS✔✔ language that excludes a gender
Ableist language - ANS✔✔ language that is prejudiced against people with disabilities
Specialization - ANS✔✔ words that are only used in certain environment, usually professions
where only the practitioners understand the language
style - ANS✔✔ the result of the way you select and arrange words and sentences. Style is
closely related to the roles we play
Rapport talk - ANS✔✔ used by women, designed to lead to intimacy with others, match
experiences, and establish relationships
Report talk - ANS✔✔ mens goal, the speakers is to maintain status, to demonstrate knowledge
and skills, and to keep the center-stage position
