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Cross-Linguistic Patterns in Language Universals

Description: This quiz evaluates your understanding of cross-linguistic patterns in language universals. These patterns provide insights into the fundamental properties and regularities shared across languages, offering valuable information about the nature of human language.
Number of Questions: 15
Created by:
Tags: language universals cross-linguistic patterns linguistic diversity language acquisition language evolution
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Which of the following is a cross-linguistic pattern observed in language universals?

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

  2. All languages have a subject-verb-object word order.

  3. All languages have a dual number grammatical category.

  4. All languages have a tonal system.

Show answer
Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The presence of a system of consonants and vowels is a universal feature of human language. All known languages utilize a combination of consonants and vowels to form words and convey meaning.

What is the term used to describe the phenomenon where certain linguistic features are found across a wide range of unrelated languages?

  1. Cross-linguistic universals

  2. Language convergence

  3. Linguistic typology

  4. Language diffusion

Show answer
Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Cross-linguistic universals refer to linguistic features that are shared by a significant number of unrelated languages, suggesting inherent properties of human language.

Which of the following is an example of a cross-linguistic universal related to word order?

  1. All languages have a subject-verb-object word order.

  2. All languages have a verb-subject-object word order.

  3. All languages have a subject-object-verb word order.

  4. All languages have a free word order.

Show answer
Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The subject-verb-object (SVO) word order is the most common word order pattern across languages, with approximately 45% of the world's languages exhibiting this structure.

What is the term used to describe the process by which languages change and become more similar over time?

  1. Language convergence

  2. Language divergence

  3. Language evolution

  4. Language acquisition

Show answer
Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Language convergence refers to the process by which unrelated languages develop similar features over time due to prolonged contact and interaction.

Which of the following is an example of a cross-linguistic universal related to phonology?

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

  2. All languages have a tonal system.

  3. All languages have a phonemic distinction between voiced and voiceless consonants.

  4. All languages have a phonemic distinction between nasal and non-nasal vowels.

Show answer
Correct Option: C
Explanation:

The phonemic distinction between voiced and voiceless consonants is a widespread feature across languages, with the majority of languages exhibiting this contrast.

What is the term used to describe the study of the relationship between language and culture?

  1. Linguistic anthropology

  2. Sociolinguistics

  3. Historical linguistics

  4. Comparative linguistics

Show answer
Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Linguistic anthropology is the study of the relationship between language and culture, examining how language shapes and is shaped by cultural practices, beliefs, and values.

Which of the following is an example of a cross-linguistic universal related to syntax?

  1. All languages have a system of grammatical categories.

  2. All languages have a system of tense and aspect.

  3. All languages have a system of noun classes.

  4. All languages have a system of verb agreement.

Show answer
Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The presence of a system of grammatical categories, such as nouns, verbs, adjectives, and adverbs, is a universal feature of human language.

What is the term used to describe the process by which languages change and become more different over time?

  1. Language divergence

  2. Language convergence

  3. Language evolution

  4. Language acquisition

Show answer
Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Language divergence refers to the process by which related languages change and become more different over time due to factors such as geographic isolation and cultural divergence.

Which of the following is an example of a cross-linguistic universal related to semantics?

  1. All languages have a word for 'mother'.

  2. All languages have a word for 'father'.

  3. All languages have a word for 'dog'.

  4. All languages have a word for 'tree'.

Show answer
Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The presence of a word for 'mother' is a cross-linguistic universal, reflecting the fundamental importance of this relationship in human societies.

What is the term used to describe the study of the history and evolution of languages?

  1. Historical linguistics

  2. Comparative linguistics

  3. Linguistic anthropology

  4. Sociolinguistics

Show answer
Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Historical linguistics is the study of the history and evolution of languages, examining how languages change over time and how they are related to each other.

Which of the following is an example of a cross-linguistic universal related to pragmatics?

  1. All languages have a system of politeness markers.

  2. All languages have a system of deixis.

  3. All languages have a system of speech acts.

  4. All languages have a system of discourse markers.

Show answer
Correct Option: B
Explanation:

The presence of a system of deixis, which refers to words and phrases used to indicate spatial, temporal, or social relationships, is a cross-linguistic universal.

What is the term used to describe the study of the relationship between language and society?

  1. Sociolinguistics

  2. Linguistic anthropology

  3. Historical linguistics

  4. Comparative linguistics

Show answer
Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Sociolinguistics is the study of the relationship between language and society, examining how language is used in different social contexts and how it shapes and is shaped by social factors.

Which of the following is an example of a cross-linguistic universal related to language acquisition?

  1. All children acquire language in the same way.

  2. All children acquire language at the same rate.

  3. All children acquire language in a predictable sequence.

  4. All children acquire language without formal instruction.

Show answer
Correct Option: C
Explanation:

The presence of a predictable sequence of language acquisition, where children acquire certain linguistic skills in a specific order, is a cross-linguistic universal.

What is the term used to describe the study of the relationship between language and thought?

  1. Cognitive linguistics

  2. Psycholinguistics

  3. Neurolinguistics

  4. Sociolinguistics

Show answer
Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Cognitive linguistics is the study of the relationship between language and thought, examining how language shapes and is shaped by cognitive processes.

Which of the following is an example of a cross-linguistic universal related to neurolinguistics?

  1. All languages are processed in the same brain regions.

  2. All languages are acquired in the same way.

  3. All languages are used in the same way.

  4. All languages have the same number of words.

Show answer
Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The presence of a common set of brain regions involved in language processing across languages is a cross-linguistic universal.

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