Which of the following does NOT mean that “words are arbitrary”?Multiple ChoiceWords have inherent meaning.Words are created by people.The meaning of words is decided by listeners.Things are named by people.
Question
Which of the following does NOT mean that “words are arbitrary”?Multiple ChoiceWords have inherent meaning.Words are created by people.The meaning of words is decided by listeners.Things are named by people.
Solution
The statement that does NOT mean that “words are arbitrary” is: Words have inherent meaning.
Here's why:
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"Words have inherent meaning" suggests that words have a natural or intrinsic meaning, which contradicts the idea that words are arbitrary. If words were arbitrary, their meanings would be based on agreement or convention, not on any inherent or natural qualities.
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"Words are created by people" aligns with the idea that words are arbitrary. If words are created by people, their meanings can be decided and changed by people, which is a characteristic of arbitrariness.
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"The meaning of words is decided by listeners" also aligns with the idea that words are arbitrary. If the meaning of words is decided by listeners, it suggests that the meaning is not inherent in the words themselves, but is instead assigned by those who hear and interpret them.
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"Things are named by people" also aligns with the idea that words are arbitrary. If things are named by people, it suggests that the names (or words) are not inherent in the things themselves, but are instead assigned by people.
So, the statement that does NOT mean that “words are arbitrary” is: Words have inherent meaning.
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