Age and Language

Description: This quiz tests your knowledge on the relationship between age and language.
Number of Questions: 15
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Tags: sociolinguistics age and language
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Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of child language?

  1. Overgeneralization of rules

  2. Use of telegraphic speech

  3. Use of complex sentences

  4. Acquisition of vocabulary


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Children typically use simple sentences with few clauses and modifiers. They gradually acquire the ability to use more complex sentences as they get older.

What is the term for the process by which children acquire their native language?

  1. Language acquisition

  2. Language development

  3. Language learning

  4. Language socialization


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Language acquisition is the process by which children learn their native language. It is a complex process that involves both innate abilities and environmental factors.

Which of the following is NOT a factor that influences language acquisition?

  1. Intelligence

  2. Environment

  3. Age

  4. Genetics


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

While intelligence may play a role in language acquisition, it is not a necessary factor. Children with a wide range of intellectual abilities can all acquire language.

What is the term for the process by which adults acquire a second language?

  1. Second language acquisition

  2. Second language learning

  3. Second language socialization

  4. Second language development


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Second language acquisition is the process by which adults acquire a second language. It is a complex process that involves both cognitive and social factors.

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of second language acquisition?

  1. Transfer of knowledge from the native language

  2. Interlanguage

  3. Fossilization

  4. Native-like pronunciation


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Native-like pronunciation is not a typical characteristic of second language acquisition. Most adult learners will retain some degree of their native accent.

What is the term for the process by which language changes over time?

  1. Language change

  2. Language evolution

  3. Language drift

  4. Language shift


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Language change is the process by which language changes over time. It can be caused by a variety of factors, including contact with other languages, social change, and technological change.

Which of the following is NOT a type of language change?

  1. Sound change

  2. Grammatical change

  3. Semantic change

  4. Lexical change


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Semantic change is not a type of language change. It refers to the change in meaning of words over time.

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

  1. Language shift

  2. Language death

  3. Language endangerment

  4. Language revitalization


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Language shift is the process by which a language is replaced by another language. It can be caused by a variety of factors, including conquest, colonization, and migration.

Which of the following is NOT a factor that contributes to language endangerment?

  1. Globalization

  2. Economic development

  3. Education

  4. Language policy


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Education can actually help to revitalize endangered languages by teaching them to younger generations.

What is the term for the process by which a language is revived or revitalized?

  1. Language revitalization

  2. Language renewal

  3. Language reclamation

  4. Language restoration


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Language revitalization is the process by which a language is revived or revitalized. It can involve a variety of activities, such as teaching the language to younger generations, creating new materials in the language, and promoting the use of the language in the community.

Which of the following is NOT a goal of language revitalization?

  1. To increase the number of speakers of the language

  2. To promote the use of the language in the community

  3. To create new materials in the language

  4. To change the meaning of words in the language


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Changing the meaning of words in the language is not a goal of language revitalization. The goal is to preserve the language as it is.

What is the term for the process by which a language is standardized?

  1. Language standardization

  2. Language codification

  3. Language norming

  4. Language regulation


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Language standardization is the process by which a language is standardized. It involves creating a standard grammar, spelling, and pronunciation for the language.

Which of the following is NOT a benefit of language standardization?

  1. It makes it easier for people to communicate with each other

  2. It promotes literacy

  3. It helps to preserve the language

  4. It makes it easier for people to learn the language


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Language standardization can actually help to preserve the language by providing a fixed form of the language that can be used by all speakers.

What is the term for the process by which a language is simplified?

  1. Language simplification

  2. Language reduction

  3. Language pidginization

  4. Language creolization


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Language simplification is the process by which a language is simplified. It can involve reducing the number of grammatical rules, simplifying the vocabulary, and making the pronunciation easier.

Which of the following is NOT a reason why a language might be simplified?

  1. To make it easier for people to learn

  2. To make it easier for people to communicate with each other

  3. To promote literacy

  4. To make it more difficult for people to communicate with each other


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Language simplification is typically done to make it easier for people to communicate with each other, not more difficult.

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