Question

Learners discover the potential meaning of language by participating in communication is the concept of:

• A. Discourse Theory
• B. The Monitor Model
• C. Accommodation Theory
• D. Acculturation Model

Answer 1

Answer:

C. Accommodation Theory

Accommodation Theory in Linguistics

• Accommodation Theory, developed by Howard Giles, explains how individuals adjust their speech during social interactions. This adjustment can involve changing their accent, vocabulary, or speech rate.
• The core idea is that people tend to converge their speech towards their interlocutor, making their speech more similar to the other person's. This is often done to gain approval, increase understanding, or signal solidarity.
• Conversely, individuals might engage in divergence, deliberately accentuating their speech differences to emphasize their distinct social identity or to distance themselves from the other person.
• Concept of Meaning Discovery: Learners discover the potential meaning of language by participating in communication. This aligns with the theory's emphasis on the dynamic nature of language use in social contexts. When learners actively engage in communication, they naturally adapt their language (accommodate) to better understand and be understood, thereby uncovering deeper meanings and nuances.
• Relevance to Language Learning: This theory is crucial for understanding how second language learners navigate social interactions. Their attempts to accommodate can lead to improved fluency and comprehension as they learn to adapt to different communicative situations.
• Exam Focus: In competitive exams, questions related to Accommodation Theory often test the understanding of convergence and divergence, and how these concepts explain language variation and social dynamics in communication.