ENG 227 Final, Fall 2005

English 227: Introduction to Language Name: Fall 2005-2006 Prof. R. Diab FINAL EXAM I. EXERCISES: COMPLETE ALL EXERCISES ON THIS SHEET! 1. Provide an example from English for each of the following expressions. (20 points) 1. Performative verb: 2. Metaphor: 3. Gradable antonyms: 4. An anomalous sentence: 5. Euphemism: 6. Place deixis: 7. Homographs: 8. Commissive speech act: 9. Bound pronoun: 10. Lexical ambiguity: 2. For each conversational excerpt, name a Gricean maxim that has been violated and give a plausible motivation for the violation. (5 points) 1. A: Would you like to go out with Amy? B: Is the Pope Catholic? Violated Maxim: Explanation: Violated Maxim: Explanation: II. SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS: 1. Provide an appropriate DEFINITION for each of the following expressions. (15 points) 1. Regional dialect 2. Lingua franca 3. Pidgin 4. Directive speech act 5. Semantic property 2. Answer TWO of the three following questions (15 points each): a. Briefly discuss the two main theories that have attempted to account for the development of Ebonics and for the differences between Ebonics and Standard American English. In your opinion, which theory is more convincing, and why? b. Advertisers often use implicature to persuade consumers. Explain the distinction between implicature and entailment, then describe and give examples of three c. Describe the three major dialect areas in the British colonies, summarize the historical changes in the pronunciation of words with an [r], and explain what the historical background of settlers in the British colonies tells us about the development of regional dialects. III. LONG ANSWER QUESTION: Write an organized, well-developed essay addressing ALL of the following questions: (30 points) • What is Standard American English? It is easy to define? Why or why not? • superior in any aspect to ot her dialects of that language? Why or why not? • Provide examples of judgments people have made as to the superiority or inferiority of a particular language or dialect. Are such judgments linguistic ones, in your opinion? Explain. • Can language in itself b Explain. GOOD LUCK! ☺