W8 - Iconicity and gestures

Question 1

What is iconicity in language?

Answer 1

A meaningful link between experience and linguistic form.

Question 2

Name two forms of iconicity found in spoken and signed languages.

Answer 2

Onomatopoeia and gestures.

Question 3

How does iconicity influence language learning?

Answer 3

It facilitates acquisition by linking form and meaning.

Question 4

What is the main distinction between iconicity and arbitrariness in language?

Answer 4

Iconicity links form and meaning; arbitrariness does not.

Question 5

What did Vinson et al. (2008) use to measure iconicity effects on language processing?

Answer 5

A picture-naming task.

Question 6

Which model did Vinson et al. (2008) use for analyzing data?

Answer 6

Mixed, crossed random effects model.

Question 7

What were the predictors in the analysis of iconicity’s effect on language processing?

Answer 7

Age of acquisition, familiarity, iconicity, imageability, concreteness, phonological complexity, group.

Question 8

What effect does iconicity have on signers’ response times?

Answer 8

Faster response times.

Question 9

What phenomenon links round names like ‘Bamu’ to round shapes?

Answer 9

Bouba-kiki effect.

Question 10

Which study showed children’s sensitivity to sound-shape associations?

Answer 10

Maurer et al. (2006).

Question 11

How does iconicity assist sign language acquisition in children?

Answer 11

Predicts stronger comprehension and production.

Question 12

What two age groups show differing impacts of iconicity in language acquisition?

Answer 12

11–20 months vs. 21–30 months.

Question 13

Which modalities engage perceptual-motor systems due to iconicity?

Answer 13

Gestures and prosody.

Question 14

What are beat gestures?

Answer 14

Rhythmic movements aligned with speech for emphasis.

Question 15

Define iconic and metaphoric gestures.

Answer 15

Iconic: Represent objects/actions; Metaphoric: Represent abstract ideas.

Question 16

What distinguishes pantomimes from other gestures?

Answer 16

They imitate actions without speech.

Question 17

What are emblems in the context of gestures?

Answer 17

Conventional gestures with fixed cultural meanings.

Question 18

How do gestures complement verbal communication?

Answer 18

By enhancing or adding to spoken content.

Question 19

Why do people gesture even when unseen?

Answer 19

For cognitive benefits and lexical access.

Question 20

What is a significant finding of Iverson & Goldin-Meadow (1998)?

Answer 20

Blind individuals gesture similarly to sighted ones.

Question 21

What happens when gestures are restricted during communication?

Answer 21

Difficulty describing spatial language increases.

Question 22

What are home sign systems?

Answer 22

Gestural systems by deaf children without formal language input.

Question 23

List one resilient property of home sign systems.

Answer 23

Development of a consistent lexicon.

Question 24

What is syntactic structure in home sign systems?

Answer 24

Combining gestures into sentences.

Question 25

What led to the creation of Nicaraguan Sign Language?

Answer 25

Interaction of isolated home signers.

Question 26

How did the second cohort of NSL users enhance the language?

Answer 26

Added systematic grammar and vocabulary.

Question 27

Define nativization in language development.

Answer 27

Transition from pidgin to structured language.

Question 28

How do gestures enhance problem-solving?

Answer 28

By aiding spatial reasoning (Chu & Kita, 2011).

Question 29

What role do gestures play in cultural and cognitive contexts?

Answer 29

Reflect linguistic relativity and enrich multimodal communication.

Question 30

What is the relationship between gestures and speech?

Answer 30

Integrated system where gestures embody thoughts.