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Language Contact: Structural Convergence and Divergence

Description: Test your knowledge on the concepts of structural convergence and divergence in language contact.
Number of Questions: 15
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Tags: language contact structural convergence structural divergence language change
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What is the term used to describe the process by which two or more languages become more similar in structure over time?

  1. Structural convergence

  2. Structural divergence

  3. Language assimilation

  4. Language borrowing


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Structural convergence occurs when two or more languages come into contact and begin to influence each other's grammatical structures, resulting in similarities between the languages.

Which of the following is an example of structural convergence?

  1. The development of similar grammatical structures in English and French

  2. The borrowing of words from one language to another

  3. The loss of grammatical features in a language

  4. The emergence of new grammatical features in a language


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Structural convergence can be observed in the development of similar grammatical structures in English and French, such as the use of the definite and indefinite articles and the placement of adjectives before nouns.

What is the term used to describe the process by which two or more languages become more different in structure over time?

  1. Structural convergence

  2. Structural divergence

  3. Language assimilation

  4. Language borrowing


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Structural divergence occurs when two or more languages come into contact and begin to develop different grammatical structures, resulting in differences between the languages.

Which of the following is an example of structural divergence?

  1. The development of different grammatical structures in English and Chinese

  2. The borrowing of words from one language to another

  3. The loss of grammatical features in a language

  4. The emergence of new grammatical features in a language


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Structural divergence can be observed in the development of different grammatical structures in English and Chinese, such as the use of prepositions in English and the use of particles in Chinese.

What are some of the factors that can contribute to structural convergence?

  1. Geographical proximity

  2. Political and economic ties

  3. Cultural exchange

  4. All of the above


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Structural convergence can be influenced by a variety of factors, including geographical proximity, political and economic ties, and cultural exchange.

What are some of the factors that can contribute to structural divergence?

  1. Geographical isolation

  2. Political and economic separation

  3. Cultural isolation

  4. All of the above


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Structural divergence can be influenced by a variety of factors, including geographical isolation, political and economic separation, and cultural isolation.

Can structural convergence and structural divergence occur simultaneously?

  1. Yes

  2. No


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Structural convergence and structural divergence can occur simultaneously in different aspects of a language. For example, a language may borrow words from another language while also developing new grammatical structures that are distinct from the other language.

What are some of the implications of structural convergence for language learners?

  1. It can make it easier to learn a new language

  2. It can make it more difficult to learn a new language

  3. It has no impact on language learning

  4. It depends on the individual learner


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

The impact of structural convergence on language learning depends on the individual learner. For some learners, the similarities between two languages can make it easier to learn the new language, while for others, the differences between the languages can make it more difficult.

What are some of the implications of structural divergence for language learners?

  1. It can make it easier to learn a new language

  2. It can make it more difficult to learn a new language

  3. It has no impact on language learning

  4. It depends on the individual learner


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

The impact of structural divergence on language learning depends on the individual learner. For some learners, the differences between two languages can make it more challenging to learn the new language, while for others, the distinct features of the new language can be intriguing and motivating.

Can structural convergence and structural divergence lead to the formation of new languages?

  1. Yes

  2. No


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Structural convergence and structural divergence can both contribute to the formation of new languages. Structural convergence can lead to the development of a new language that is a blend of two or more existing languages, while structural divergence can lead to the development of a new language that is distinct from its parent language.

What is a Sprachbund?

  1. A group of languages that share similar structural features

  2. A group of languages that are spoken in the same geographical area

  3. A group of languages that have a common origin

  4. A group of languages that are used for international communication


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

A Sprachbund is a group of languages that share similar structural features, even though they may not be related to each other. Sprachbunds can arise through structural convergence or through the influence of a dominant language on other languages in the area.

Which of the following is an example of a Sprachbund?

  1. The Romance languages

  2. The Germanic languages

  3. The Bantu languages

  4. The Austronesian languages


Correct Option:
Explanation:

The Balkan Sprachbund is a group of languages spoken in the Balkans region of Europe that share a number of structural features, such as the use of postpositions and the lack of grammatical gender.

What is the difference between structural convergence and language assimilation?

  1. Structural convergence involves changes in the structure of a language, while language assimilation involves the adoption of one language by another.

  2. Structural convergence involves changes in the vocabulary of a language, while language assimilation involves changes in the grammar of a language.

  3. Structural convergence involves changes in the pronunciation of a language, while language assimilation involves changes in the meaning of words.

  4. Structural convergence involves changes in the writing system of a language, while language assimilation involves changes in the way the language is spoken.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Structural convergence involves changes in the grammatical structure of a language, while language assimilation involves the adoption of one language by another, often resulting in the loss of the original language.

What is the difference between structural divergence and language split?

  1. Structural divergence involves changes in the structure of a language, while language split involves the division of a language into two or more distinct languages.

  2. Structural divergence involves changes in the vocabulary of a language, while language split involves changes in the grammar of a language.

  3. Structural divergence involves changes in the pronunciation of a language, while language split involves changes in the meaning of words.

  4. Structural divergence involves changes in the writing system of a language, while language split involves changes in the way the language is spoken.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Structural divergence involves changes in the grammatical structure of a language, while language split involves the division of a language into two or more distinct languages, often due to geographical isolation or political factors.

Can structural convergence and structural divergence occur in the same language?

  1. Yes

  2. No


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Structural convergence and structural divergence can occur in the same language, as different aspects of the language may undergo different changes over time. For example, a language may borrow words from another language while also developing new grammatical structures that are distinct from the other language.

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