Problem 3: Language comprehension

Question 1

locutionary act

Answer 1

act of saying something

Question 2

illocutionary force

Answer 2

intention

Question 3

perlocutionary effect

Answer 3

effect on the receiver

Question 4

three parts of a metaphor:

Answer 4

tenor = topic
vehicle = comparison
ground = implied similarity

Question 5

Pragmatic theory

Answer 5

we comprehend the meaning of figurative language by considering the literal meaning and then rejecting it

Question 6

implication of pragmatic theory + proof

Answer 6

1) literal meaning precedes figurative meaning (disproven)
2) shouldn’t comprehend figurative meaning is literal meaning applies (disproven)

Question 7

conceptual metaphor theory

Answer 7

we use metaphors to make sense of the world + metaphors are part of bigger categories
we process pragmatics first, then conceptual

Question 8

class inclusion theory

Answer 8

metaphors are inclusion statements, this accounts for the evidence that metaphors are non-reversible

Question 9

instantiation

Answer 9

identifying a general term with a specific meaning

Question 10

assertives

Answer 10

expressing something to the external world (stating)

Question 11

directives

Answer 11

make recipient do something (request, command)

Question 12

expressives

Answer 12

describe inner emotional state (thanking, apologising)

Question 13

commissives

Answer 13

commit to do something (promise, threat)

Question 14

declaratives

Answer 14

change state of the world (baptise)

Question 15

Action prediction theory

Answer 15

an utterance will activate the full range of possible partner actions at the neural level

Question 16

cascade timeline

Answer 16

phonological –> lexica-syntactic –> lexicon-semantic–>pragmatic processing

Question 17

instant/parallel processing

Answer 17

all processing happens at the same time

Question 18

Van ackeren et al (indirect request –> ToM & motor network)

Answer 18

Goal: investigate if explicit word forms are necessary for motor actvation
Hypothesis: implied action is seen in activation + inferential step is reflected in ToM activation
Method: measure fMRI
Picture + utterance (IR, PC, UC, PUC)
Results: higher motor activation to IR than other control conditions, ToM activation

Question 19

Holtgram 2008 !!!! (implicit speech –> speech act activation) exp 1-3

Answer 19

Goal: see if speech activates the areas responsible for perform the act?
method: read scenario –> say if probe was present
Exp 1: audio vs written –> if it was not present, slower response –> no difference
Exp 2: maybe Ss used context checking procedure –> now judge if string of letter is word –> faster response if probe represents word = confirmed!
Exp 3: influence of context so no context now –> effect remained

Question 20

Holtgraves 2008 exp 4 & conclusion

Answer 20

Goal: comprehension process of participant in convo
Method: use bot
results: hyp confirmed, Ss are slower for verifying that probe had not been there
Conclusion: results in line with speech act theory: automatic recognition for both written and spoken speech acts, both observers and participants

Question 21

Holtgraves 2012!!!!

Answer 21

Goal: can emoji facilitate recognition of indirect meaning
Exp 1: effect of emoji interpretation –> lower accuracy for non-emoji responses
Exp 2: emoji location –> emoji but not location effect, no effect for requests
Conclusion: in ambiguous situations, emoji facilitate recognition of intended meaning