Language and Thought

Description: This quiz will test your knowledge of the relationship between language and thought.
Number of Questions: 15
Created by:
Tags: language thought cognition linguistics
Attempted 0/15 Correct 0 Score 0

Which of the following is NOT a theory of the relationship between language and thought?

  1. The Sapir-Whorf hypothesis

  2. The universal grammar hypothesis

  3. The cognitive linguistics hypothesis

  4. The behaviorist hypothesis


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

The behaviorist hypothesis is a theory of learning that emphasizes the role of external stimuli and responses in shaping behavior. It does not address the relationship between language and thought.

According to the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis, what is the relationship between language and thought?

  1. Language determines thought.

  2. Thought determines language.

  3. Language and thought are independent of each other.

  4. Language and thought are mutually reinforcing.


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

The Sapir-Whorf hypothesis proposes that the structure of a language influences the way its speakers think about the world. However, it also acknowledges that thought can influence language.

Which of the following is an example of linguistic relativity?

  1. The fact that different languages have different words for the same concept.

  2. The fact that different languages have different grammatical structures.

  3. The fact that different languages have different ways of expressing emotions.

  4. All of the above.


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Linguistic relativity is the idea that the structure of a language influences the way its speakers think about the world. This can be seen in the fact that different languages have different words for the same concept, different grammatical structures, and different ways of expressing emotions.

What is the universal grammar hypothesis?

  1. The hypothesis that all languages share a common set of grammatical rules.

  2. The hypothesis that all languages share a common set of vocabulary words.

  3. The hypothesis that all languages share a common set of sounds.

  4. The hypothesis that all languages share a common set of meanings.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The universal grammar hypothesis proposes that all languages share a common set of grammatical rules, regardless of their surface differences. This hypothesis is based on the idea that human language is a universal phenomenon that is rooted in our biology.

Which of the following is an example of a universal grammatical rule?

  1. The fact that all languages have nouns and verbs.

  2. The fact that all languages have a subject-verb-object word order.

  3. The fact that all languages have a system of tense.

  4. All of the above.


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

All of the above options are examples of universal grammatical rules. These rules are found in all languages, regardless of their surface differences.

What is the cognitive linguistics hypothesis?

  1. The hypothesis that language is a cognitive tool that we use to think about the world.

  2. The hypothesis that language is a social tool that we use to communicate with each other.

  3. The hypothesis that language is a biological phenomenon that is rooted in our brains.

  4. All of the above.


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

The cognitive linguistics hypothesis is a broad framework that encompasses a variety of different theories about the relationship between language and thought. These theories share the common belief that language is a cognitive tool that we use to think about the world.

Which of the following is an example of a cognitive linguistic theory?

  1. The theory of conceptual metaphor.

  2. The theory of image schemas.

  3. The theory of mental spaces.

  4. All of the above.


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

All of the above options are examples of cognitive linguistic theories. These theories propose that language is a cognitive tool that we use to think about the world, and that the structure of language reflects the way that we conceptualize the world.

What is the theory of conceptual metaphor?

  1. The theory that we use metaphors to understand abstract concepts.

  2. The theory that we use metaphors to communicate with each other.

  3. The theory that we use metaphors to think about the world.

  4. All of the above.


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

The theory of conceptual metaphor is a cognitive linguistic theory that proposes that we use metaphors to understand abstract concepts, communicate with each other, and think about the world. For example, we might use the metaphor of a journey to understand the concept of life.

Which of the following is an example of a conceptual metaphor?

  1. Love is a journey.

  2. Time is a river.

  3. Life is a game.

  4. All of the above.


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

All of the above options are examples of conceptual metaphors. These metaphors allow us to understand abstract concepts by mapping them onto more concrete concepts that we are already familiar with.

What is the theory of image schemas?

  1. The theory that we use mental images to represent concepts.

  2. The theory that we use mental images to communicate with each other.

  3. The theory that we use mental images to think about the world.

  4. All of the above.


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

The theory of image schemas is a cognitive linguistic theory that proposes that we use mental images to represent concepts, communicate with each other, and think about the world. For example, we might use the image schema of a container to represent the concept of a group of objects.

Which of the following is an example of an image schema?

  1. The image schema of a container.

  2. The image schema of a path.

  3. The image schema of a force.

  4. All of the above.


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

All of the above options are examples of image schemas. These image schemas are basic mental structures that we use to organize our thoughts and experiences.

What is the theory of mental spaces?

  1. The theory that we use mental spaces to represent different contexts.

  2. The theory that we use mental spaces to communicate with each other.

  3. The theory that we use mental spaces to think about the world.

  4. All of the above.


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

The theory of mental spaces is a cognitive linguistic theory that proposes that we use mental spaces to represent different contexts, communicate with each other, and think about the world. For example, we might use a different mental space to represent our work life and our home life.

Which of the following is an example of a mental space?

  1. The mental space of a conversation.

  2. The mental space of a story.

  3. The mental space of a plan.

  4. All of the above.


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

All of the above options are examples of mental spaces. These mental spaces allow us to organize our thoughts and experiences in a way that makes sense.

How does language influence thought?

  1. Language provides us with the concepts and categories that we use to think about the world.

  2. Language allows us to communicate our thoughts to others.

  3. Language helps us to remember and organize our thoughts.

  4. All of the above.


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

All of the above options are ways in which language influences thought. Language provides us with the tools that we need to think about the world, communicate our thoughts to others, and remember and organize our thoughts.

How does thought influence language?

  1. Thought determines the words that we use.

  2. Thought determines the grammar that we use.

  3. Thought determines the way that we speak.

  4. All of the above.


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

All of the above options are ways in which thought influences language. Our thoughts determine the words that we use, the grammar that we use, and the way that we speak.

- Hide questions