Final answer:
The statement about Swinney's experiment is true, showing that context helps select the correct meaning of an ambiguous word. This aligns with the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis that language affects cognition and perception.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that the results of Swinney's experiment indicate that context is used to select the appropriate meaning of ambiguous words before the inappropriate meaning can be activated is TRUE. Swinney's experiment supports the idea that when we encounter an ambiguous word, our brain uses the surrounding context to immediately determine which meaning of the word is appropriate in that particular situation. This conclusion suggests that, rather than considering all possible meanings of an ambiguous word, context acts as a filter, allowing only the relevant meaning to be processed first.
This finding is compatible with aspects of the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis, which posits that the language we use can shape how we think and perceive the world. While the hypothesis has been much debated and is considered controversial, it suggests that language influences cognitive processes, including the interpretation and understanding of meaning in the context of ambiguity.