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Cross-Linguistic Patterns in Language Evolution

Description: This quiz is designed to test your understanding of cross-linguistic patterns in language evolution. It covers topics such as the relationship between language and culture, the role of natural selection in language evolution, and the universality of certain linguistic features.
Number of Questions: 10
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Tags: language evolution cross-linguistic patterns language universals natural selection culture
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Which of the following is NOT a cross-linguistic pattern in language evolution?

  1. The use of subject-verb-object word order is more common than other word orders.

  2. All languages have a system of consonants and vowels.

  3. All languages have a system of nouns and verbs.

  4. All languages have a system of tenses.

Show answer
Correct Option: D
Explanation:

While it is true that most languages have a system of tenses, there are some languages that do not. For example, the Pirahã language of Brazil has no tense system.

Which of the following is NOT a factor that has been proposed to contribute to language evolution?

  1. Natural selection

  2. Cultural transmission

  3. Genetic inheritance

  4. Random chance

Show answer
Correct Option: C
Explanation:

There is no evidence to suggest that language is genetically inherited. Instead, it is believed that language is learned through cultural transmission.

Which of the following is NOT a universal feature of language?

  1. The use of words to represent objects and concepts

  2. The use of grammar to structure sentences

  3. The use of sounds to produce speech

  4. The use of gestures to communicate

Show answer
Correct Option: D
Explanation:

While gestures are often used to communicate, they are not a universal feature of language. Some languages, such as the Australian Aboriginal language Warlpiri, do not have a system of gestures.

Which of the following is NOT a cross-linguistic pattern in the evolution of word order?

  1. Subject-verb-object word order is more common than other word orders.

  2. Verb-subject-object word order is more common in languages with ergative case marking.

  3. Object-verb-subject word order is more common in languages with accusative case marking.

  4. All languages have a fixed word order.

Show answer
Correct Option: D
Explanation:

While it is true that most languages have a fixed word order, there are some languages that do not. For example, the Dyirbal language of Australia has a relatively free word order.

Which of the following is NOT a cross-linguistic pattern in the evolution of sound systems?

  1. All languages have a system of consonants and vowels.

  2. The number of consonants in a language is typically greater than the number of vowels.

  3. The most common consonants are typically stops, fricatives, and nasals.

  4. The most common vowels are typically /a/, /i/, and /u/.

Show answer
Correct Option: C
Explanation:

While it is true that stops, fricatives, and nasals are common consonants, they are not the most common consonants in all languages. For example, in the Hawaiian language, the most common consonant is /k/.

Which of the following is NOT a cross-linguistic pattern in the evolution of grammatical systems?

  1. All languages have a system of nouns and verbs.

  2. All languages have a system of tenses.

  3. All languages have a system of cases.

  4. All languages have a system of articles.

Show answer
Correct Option: D
Explanation:

While it is true that many languages have a system of articles, there are some languages that do not. For example, the Chinese language does not have a system of articles.

Which of the following is NOT a cross-linguistic pattern in the evolution of vocabulary?

  1. All languages have words for basic concepts such as food, water, and shelter.

  2. All languages have words for body parts.

  3. All languages have words for numbers.

  4. All languages have words for colors.

Show answer
Correct Option: D
Explanation:

While it is true that most languages have words for colors, there are some languages that do not. For example, the Pirahã language of Brazil has only three basic color words: dark, light, and red.

Which of the following is NOT a cross-linguistic pattern in the evolution of language use?

  1. All languages are used for communication.

  2. All languages are used for social interaction.

  3. All languages are used for storytelling.

  4. All languages are used for religious purposes.

Show answer
Correct Option: D
Explanation:

While it is true that many languages are used for religious purposes, there are some languages that are not. For example, the Pirahã language of Brazil is not used for religious purposes.

Which of the following is NOT a cross-linguistic pattern in the evolution of language change?

  1. All languages change over time.

  2. Language change is often driven by contact with other languages.

  3. Language change can be caused by internal factors such as sound changes.

  4. Language change is always gradual.

Show answer
Correct Option: D
Explanation:

While it is true that language change is often gradual, there are some cases where language change can be rapid. For example, the Tok Pisin language of Papua New Guinea developed very rapidly in the 19th century as a result of contact between different language groups.

Which of the following is NOT a cross-linguistic pattern in the evolution of language death?

  1. Language death is a natural process.

  2. Language death is often caused by contact with other languages.

  3. Language death can be caused by internal factors such as a decline in the number of speakers.

  4. Language death is always irreversible.

Show answer
Correct Option: D
Explanation:

While it is true that language death is often irreversible, there are some cases where a language can be revived. For example, the Hebrew language was revived in the 20th century after it had been extinct for centuries.

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