Question

American Nancy McKinstry recently became the new CEO at Dutch publisher Wolters Kluwer. As Ms. McKinstry noted, she had to drop the word "aggressive" in describing her strategic plan to company managers. She said, "I learned that the word has a negative connotation to a lot of Europeans. I was coming across too hard, too much of a results- driven American to the people. I needed to get on board so I started describing our strategy as 'decisive' and that made all the difference." Which of the following grammar topics is the critical element in this passage?

1) syntax
2) semantics
3) morphology
4) phonology
5) semiotics

Answer 1

The critical grammar topic in the passage is semantics, which deals with the meaning and interpretation of words in context.

Step-by-step explanation:

In the passage provided, the grammar topic that is critical is semantics. Semantics refers to the meaning of words and phrases in a particular context, and it is clearly illustrated by Nancy McKinstry's adjustment in her language when communicating her strategic plan. By changing the descriptor from 'aggressive' to 'decisive', McKinstry was able to communicate her intentions in a way that was more palatable to the European audience she was addressing. Understanding the connotations and cultural sensibilities attached to words is a key aspect of semantics.