pt. 4

Question 1

What are two paralinguistic features of speech? Provide an example of how these features affect communication? (2)

Answer 1

Vocal intensity (loudness), and Prosody (fluency, rhythm, stress).

Vocal intensity affects communication because if you’re too loud or too quiet it could be hard to keep up in a conversation because it could either be overwhelming or you could miss a detail.
Prosody affects communication because it can be hard to understand the person. (too fast or hard to follow)

Question 2

Provide an example of an appropriate use of two nonverbal behaviors and an example of an inappropriate use of two other nonverbal behaviors. (4)

Answer 2

Appropriate:
Eye gaze: keeping your attention on the speaker and not on your phone or such.
Physical proximity: being a good distance from the person speaking

Inappropriate:
Physical contact: Hugging a person for a long time.
Facial expressions: Laughing during a serious conversation

Question 3

What does the “quality” of a turn refer to? (2)

Answer 3

truthful and have evidence for what you say

Question 4

How does the use of pronouns show listener sensitivity? Give an example of pronoun usage that shows listener sensitivity and an example that does not show listener sensitivity. (4)

Answer 4

The use of pronouns shows listener sensitivity because speakers (should) only use them when they are sure that the listener knows what or who the pronoun refers to

Question 5

How does the use of adjectives and relative clauses show listener sensitivity? (2)

Answer 5

Adjectives and relative clauses provide specific information to the listener to help the. Clarify the referent (noun)

Question 6

What does register mean? Give examples of two different registers. (3)

Answer 6

a variety of language used for a particular purpose in a particular setting
ex: motherese, legalese

Question 7

Why do we often use indirect speech acts? Give two different examples of indirect speech acts. (4)

Answer 7

to be polite
“can you pass the salt?”