Sample essay questions on meaning and truth

1. What is language? Define it and compare it to other communication systems, e.g. in

animals.
2. What are the basic functions of language?
3. Is the bee language a language? Justify your answer.
4. How can we tell whether a number of creatures living together possess a language?
5. What is the role of linguistic convention in understanding others?
6. What is the difference between sense, meaning, and reference?
7. To what extent is translation possible?
8. Which things have meaning? Which things may mean? So is meaning a property, a
relationship, an event, a state or a process?
9. Specify the difficulties you encounter when trying to understand Wittgenstein’s
Tractatus.
10. What is the difference between object-language and meta-language?
11. What does Strawson mean by saying ironically that to give the meaning of
“handkerchief” equals to take one from your pocket?
12. What is “holism” and what is “linguistic holism”?
13. Describe the Sapir-Worf hypotesis. Evaluate it.
14. Differentiate between sign, symbol and indicator.
15. Is the distinction analytic-syntetic a dogma that cannot be defended?
16. What is “a picture theory of meaning”?
17. What is a speech act? Definition, examples, classification.
18. What constitutes genuine communication? Explore the principles and maxims of it.