Activity Type Title

Chapter 1. Chapter

Infographic

Scientific American: Psychology

Infographic Activity 7.3: The Building Blocks of Language

The Building Blocks of Language

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Language is made up of a collection of units and rules. These build upon each other to help us think and communicate. At the base are phonemes, which combine to make up morphemes, the smallest unit of language that carries meaning. At the top is displacement, which is the human ability to refer to things that are abstract or hypothetical.

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1.1 Quiz

1. Scott knows the German words that would make up the sentence “Can I watch television,” but he cannot remember the correct order for how to combine the words in that language. Scott’s problem is one of ________.

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Incorrect.

2. In a famous movie about the end of the Samurai warriors, the main character is meeting with the Emperor of Japan. He is advised ahead of time, “keep your eyes to the floor, and do not speak unless spoken to!” This character is receiving instructions in the area of ________.

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Incorrect.

3. Which of the following words is the best synonym for the term “grammar”?

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Incorrect.

4. “Do I have to go,” and, “I do have to go,” are two sentences that have the same words, but they convey very different messages. This difference in meaning is an issue of the ________ of the sentences.

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Correct.
Incorrect.

5. How many morphemes are found in the word “unregistered”?

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Correct.
Incorrect.

6. All words are made up of a series of basic sound units that are called ________.

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Correct.
Incorrect.

7. Which of the following concepts is primarily involved in the different pragmatics of the use of language?

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Correct.
Incorrect.