Indo-Aryan Language Phonology

Description: This quiz evaluates your understanding of the phonology of Indo-Aryan languages.
Number of Questions: 15
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Tags: indo-aryan languages phonology
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Which of the following is a characteristic feature of Indo-Aryan languages?

  1. Tonal system

  2. Aspirated consonants

  3. Retroflex consonants

  4. Glottalized consonants


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Retroflex consonants are a distinctive feature of Indo-Aryan languages, formed by curling the tongue back towards the hard palate.

What is the term used for the loss of final consonants in Indo-Aryan languages?

  1. Sandhi

  2. Apocope

  3. Elision

  4. Assimilation


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Apocope refers to the loss of final consonants in words, a common phenomenon in Indo-Aryan languages.

Which of the following is an example of a retroflex consonant in Hindi?

  1. ड़


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

The retroflex consonant 'ड़' is pronounced with the tongue curled back towards the hard palate.

What is the term used for the change in vowel quality due to the influence of neighboring consonants in Indo-Aryan languages?

  1. Sandhi

  2. Vowel harmony

  3. Umlaut

  4. Assimilation


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Sandhi refers to the changes that occur in the pronunciation of words when they are combined together, including changes in vowel quality.

Which of the following is an example of a nasalized vowel in Bengali?


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The nasalized vowel 'অ' is pronounced with the nasal passage open, allowing air to flow through the nose.

What is the term used for the devoicing of voiced consonants at the end of words in Indo-Aryan languages?

  1. Aspiration

  2. Fortition

  3. Lenition

  4. Devoicing


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Devoicing refers to the loss of voicing in consonants, typically occurring at the end of words in Indo-Aryan languages.

Which of the following is an example of a voiced aspirated consonant in Hindi?


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

The voiced aspirated consonant 'घ' is pronounced with the vocal cords vibrating and a puff of air released.

What is the term used for the assimilation of a nasal consonant to a following consonant in Indo-Aryan languages?

  1. Nasalization

  2. Assimilation

  3. Elision

  4. Sandhi


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Assimilation refers to the process where a nasal consonant influences the pronunciation of a following consonant, making it nasalized.

Which of the following is an example of a palatal consonant in Sanskrit?


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

The palatal consonant 'च' is pronounced with the tongue raised towards the hard palate.

What is the term used for the change in the place of articulation of a consonant due to the influence of a neighboring consonant in Indo-Aryan languages?

  1. Assimilation

  2. Elision

  3. Fortition

  4. Lenition


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Assimilation refers to the process where the place of articulation of a consonant changes due to the influence of a neighboring consonant.

Which of the following is an example of a geminate consonant in Hindi?

  1. क्क


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

The geminate consonant 'क्क' is pronounced with two successive pronunciations of the consonant 'क'.

What is the term used for the devoicing of voiced consonants in certain contexts in Indo-Aryan languages?

  1. Aspiration

  2. Fortition

  3. Lenition

  4. Devoicing


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Devoicing refers to the loss of voicing in consonants, typically occurring in certain contexts such as at the end of words or before voiceless consonants.

Which of the following is an example of a voiceless aspirated consonant in Sanskrit?


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

The voiceless aspirated consonant 'ख' is pronounced with a puff of air released after the consonant.

What is the term used for the process of adding a vowel between two consonants in Indo-Aryan languages?

  1. Elision

  2. Insertion

  3. Assimilation

  4. Sandhi


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Insertion refers to the process of adding a vowel between two consonants, often to facilitate pronunciation.

Which of the following is an example of a diphthong in Hindi?


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

The diphthong 'ऐ' is pronounced as a combination of two vowels, 'अ' and 'इ'.

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