Question:
The passage given below is followed by four alternate summaries. Choose the option that best captures the essence of the passage.
Certain codes may, of course, be so widely distributed in a specific language community or culture, and be learned at so early an age, that they appear not to be constructed – the effect of an articulation between sign and referent – but to be ‘naturally’ given. Simple visual signs appear to have achieved a ‘near-universality’ in this sense: though evidence remains that even apparently ‘natural’ visual codes are culture specific. However, this does not mean that no codes have intervened; rather, that the codes have been profoundly naturalized. The operation of naturalized codes reveals not the transparency and ‘naturalness’ of language but the depth, the habituation and the near-universality of the codes in use. They produce apparently ‘natural’ recognitions. This has the (ideological) effect of concealing the practices of coding which are present.
The passage given below is followed by four alternate summaries. Choose the option that best captures the essence of the passage.
Certain codes may, of course, be so widely distributed in a specific language community or culture, and be learned at so early an age, that they appear not to be constructed – the effect of an articulation between sign and referent – but to be ‘naturally’ given. Simple visual signs appear to have achieved a ‘near-universality’ in this sense: though evidence remains that even apparently ‘natural’ visual codes are culture specific. However, this does not mean that no codes have intervened; rather, that the codes have been profoundly naturalized. The operation of naturalized codes reveals not the transparency and ‘naturalness’ of language but the depth, the habituation and the near-universality of the codes in use. They produce apparently ‘natural’ recognitions. This has the (ideological) effect of concealing the practices of coding which are present.
Certain codes may, of course, be so widely distributed in a specific language community or culture, and be learned at so early an age, that they appear not to be constructed – the effect of an articulation between sign and referent – but to be ‘naturally’ given. Simple visual signs appear to have achieved a ‘near-universality’ in this sense: though evidence remains that even apparently ‘natural’ visual codes are culture specific. However, this does not mean that no codes have intervened; rather, that the codes have been profoundly naturalized. The operation of naturalized codes reveals not the transparency and ‘naturalness’ of language but the depth, the habituation and the near-universality of the codes in use. They produce apparently ‘natural’ recognitions. This has the (ideological) effect of concealing the practices of coding which are present.
Updated On: Jul 21, 2025
- All codes, linguistic and visual, have a natural origin but some are so widespread that they become universal. This is what hides the mechanism of coding behind signs.
- Not all codes are natural but certain codes are naturalized and made to appear universal. Ideology aims to hide the mechanism of coding behind signs.
- Learning linguistic and visual signs at an early age makes all such codes appear natural. This naturalization of codes is the effect of ideology.
- Language and visual signs are codes. However, some of the codes are so widespread that they not only seem naturally given but also hide the mechanism of coding behind the signs.
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The Correct Option is D
Solution and Explanation
The passage explores the phenomenon of codes within linguistic and visual systems. It argues that while many codes might appear inherent or 'naturally' given within a culture, this perception is actually the result of certain codes becoming deeply integrated or 'naturalized'. This naturalization is so profound that it makes the underlying practices of coding seem invisible, causing people to perceive them as universal truth. However, this perception obscures the cultural and ideological processes involved in coding. The key point is the difference between codes that are truly natural and those that have been made to appear so through widespread use and early learning, thus concealing the coding mechanisms.
| Option | Explanation |
|---|---|
| 1 | This option incorrectly suggests all codes have a natural origin, whereas the passage talks about some codes being perceived as natural due to their extensive use. |
| 2 | Focuses on ideology and some codes being naturalized, but the passage's emphasis is on the deep integration of codes making them seem natural. |
| 3 | Highlights learning at an early age; however, it misconstrues the passage's main point about the universal appearance of certain codes. |
| 4 | Correct. Accurately captures how some codes are so widespread that they appear natural and obscure the coding process. |
Thus, Option 4 is the most accurate summary as it encapsulates the essence of how both linguistic and visual signs, when widely accepted, seem naturally given while concealing their constructed nature.
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