0

Cross-Linguistic Patterns in Language Variation

Description: This quiz is designed to assess your understanding of cross-linguistic patterns in language variation. It covers topics such as the relationship between language and culture, the role of geography in language variation, and the processes of language change.
Number of Questions: 15
Created by:
Tags: language universals cross-linguistic patterns language variation
Attempted 0/15 Correct 0 Score 0

Which of the following is NOT a factor that contributes to cross-linguistic patterns in language variation?

  1. Geography

  2. Culture

  3. History

  4. Biology


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Biology is not a factor that contributes to cross-linguistic patterns in language variation. Geography, culture, and history are all factors that can influence the way that languages vary across the world.

What is the term for the process by which languages change over time?

  1. Language shift

  2. Language change

  3. Language drift

  4. Language evolution


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Language change is the term for the process by which languages change over time. Language shift, language drift, and language evolution are all related concepts, but they refer to specific aspects of language change.

Which of the following is an example of a cross-linguistic pattern in language variation?

  1. The use of SOV word order in many languages

  2. The use of the definite article in English

  3. The use of the subjunctive mood in Spanish

  4. The use of the ergative case in Basque


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The use of SOV word order in many languages is an example of a cross-linguistic pattern in language variation. The use of the definite article in English, the use of the subjunctive mood in Spanish, and the use of the ergative case in Basque are all examples of language-specific features.

What is the term for the relationship between language and culture?

  1. Linguistic determinism

  2. Cultural determinism

  3. Sapir-Whorf hypothesis

  4. Whorfian hypothesis


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

The Sapir-Whorf hypothesis is the term for the relationship between language and culture. It proposes that the structure of a language can influence the way that its speakers perceive and conceptualize the world.

Which of the following is an example of a geographical factor that can contribute to language variation?

  1. The presence of mountains

  2. The presence of rivers

  3. The presence of deserts

  4. The presence of oceans


Correct Option:
Explanation:

All of the above geographical factors can contribute to language variation. Mountains, rivers, deserts, and oceans can all act as barriers to communication, which can lead to the development of different languages or dialects.

What is the term for the process by which a language is replaced by another language?

  1. Language shift

  2. Language change

  3. Language drift

  4. Language evolution


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Language shift is the term for the process by which a language is replaced by another language. Language change, language drift, and language evolution are all related concepts, but they refer to specific aspects of language change.

Which of the following is an example of a historical factor that can contribute to language variation?

  1. The migration of a people

  2. The conquest of a people

  3. The colonization of a region

  4. The spread of a religion


Correct Option:
Explanation:

All of the above historical factors can contribute to language variation. The migration of a people, the conquest of a people, the colonization of a region, and the spread of a religion can all lead to the development of new languages or dialects.

What is the term for the process by which languages gradually become more similar to each other?

  1. Language convergence

  2. Language divergence

  3. Language assimilation

  4. Language leveling


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Language convergence is the term for the process by which languages gradually become more similar to each other. Language divergence, language assimilation, and language leveling are all related concepts, but they refer to specific aspects of language change.

Which of the following is an example of a social factor that can contribute to language variation?

  1. The social class of a speaker

  2. The gender of a speaker

  3. The age of a speaker

  4. The occupation of a speaker


Correct Option:
Explanation:

All of the above social factors can contribute to language variation. The social class of a speaker, the gender of a speaker, the age of a speaker, and the occupation of a speaker can all influence the way that they speak.

What is the term for the process by which languages gradually become more different from each other?

  1. Language convergence

  2. Language divergence

  3. Language assimilation

  4. Language leveling


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Language divergence is the term for the process by which languages gradually become more different from each other. Language convergence, language assimilation, and language leveling are all related concepts, but they refer to specific aspects of language change.

Which of the following is an example of a linguistic factor that can contribute to language variation?

  1. The sound system of a language

  2. The grammar of a language

  3. The vocabulary of a language

  4. The discourse patterns of a language


Correct Option:
Explanation:

All of the above linguistic factors can contribute to language variation. The sound system of a language, the grammar of a language, the vocabulary of a language, and the discourse patterns of a language can all vary across different languages.

What is the term for the process by which a language is assimilated into another language?

  1. Language convergence

  2. Language divergence

  3. Language assimilation

  4. Language leveling


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Language assimilation is the term for the process by which a language is assimilated into another language. Language convergence, language divergence, and language leveling are all related concepts, but they refer to specific aspects of language change.

Which of the following is an example of a psychological factor that can contribute to language variation?

  1. The attitudes of speakers towards their language

  2. The beliefs of speakers about their language

  3. The values of speakers about their language

  4. The motivations of speakers for using their language


Correct Option:
Explanation:

All of the above psychological factors can contribute to language variation. The attitudes of speakers towards their language, the beliefs of speakers about their language, the values of speakers about their language, and the motivations of speakers for using their language can all influence the way that they speak.

What is the term for the process by which languages gradually become more uniform?

  1. Language convergence

  2. Language divergence

  3. Language assimilation

  4. Language leveling


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Language leveling is the term for the process by which languages gradually become more uniform. Language convergence, language divergence, and language assimilation are all related concepts, but they refer to specific aspects of language change.

Which of the following is an example of a pragmatic factor that can contribute to language variation?

  1. The context in which a language is used

  2. The purpose of a conversation

  3. The relationship between the speakers

  4. The social setting of a conversation


Correct Option:
Explanation:

All of the above pragmatic factors can contribute to language variation. The context in which a language is used, the purpose of a conversation, the relationship between the speakers, and the social setting of a conversation can all influence the way that speakers use language.

- Hide questions