Diachronic Linguistics: Delve into the Evolution of Languages

Question 1

Which of the following is a fundamental concept in the field of Diachronic Linguistics?

Accepted Answer

Investigating language change over time

Answer

Examining language variation at a particular point in time

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Identifying universal characteristics found in all languages

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Analyzing language acquisition patterns in children

Question 2

Which of the following methods is commonly used in Diachronic Linguistics analysis?

Accepted Answer

Comparing languages to reconstruct their historical relationships

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Examining large collections of language data to identify patterns

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Investigating the social and cultural factors influencing language use

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Studying how children learn and acquire their native language

Question 3

The term 'drift' in language evolution refers to:

Accepted Answer

Gradual, long-term changes in a language over time

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Sudden, dramatic shifts in a language caused by external influences

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The incorporation of words and phrases from other languages

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The simplification of grammatical structures over time

Question 4

The 'family tree model' is employed to represent:

Accepted Answer

The evolutionary relationships between different languages

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The geographical distribution of languages around the world

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The social hierarchy among different languages

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The chronological development of languages over time

Question 5

The study of language change in relation to social and cultural factors is termed:

Accepted Answer

Historical sociolinguistics

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Corpus linguistics

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Comparative linguistics

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Psycholinguistics

Question 6

Which of the following statements does NOT adhere to the fundamental principles of diachronic linguistics?

Accepted Answer

Language change exhibits linearity.

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Language continuously evolves over time.

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Language change is often arbitrary.

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Language change is systematic and rule-governed.

Question 7

The Great Vowel Shift primarily exemplifies which type of language change?

Accepted Answer

Phonetic change.

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Morphological change.

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Syntactic change.

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Lexical change.

Question 8

The concept of a 'cognate' primarily refers to:

Accepted Answer

Words sharing a common origin in different languages.

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Words conveying similar meanings in different languages.

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Words exhibiting identical spellings in different languages.

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Words pronounced identically in different languages.

Question 9

The comparative method is primarily employed for:

Accepted Answer

Reconstructing ancestral languages (proto-languages).

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Providing comprehensive descriptions of present-day languages.

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Explaining the underlying mechanisms of language change.

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Analyzing variations within a single language.

Question 10

A prominent criticism of the glottochronological method is its reliance on the assumption of:

Accepted Answer

A constant rate of lexical replacement over time.

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Universal applicability to all languages.

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Availability of extensive written records.

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Simplicity and ease of use.

Question 11

The concept of 'deep structure' is most closely associated with which linguistic theory?

Accepted Answer

Generative grammar.

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Functional grammar.

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Cognitive grammar.

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Dependency grammar.

Question 12

A key distinction between synchronic and diachronic linguistics is:

Accepted Answer

Synchronic linguistics examines language at a specific point in time, while diachronic linguistics studies language change over time.

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Synchronic linguistics focuses on the structure of language, while diachronic linguistics focuses on its meaning.

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Synchronic linguistics is descriptive, while diachronic linguistics is prescriptive.

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Synchronic linguistics is concerned with the past, while diachronic linguistics is concerned with the present.

Question 13

The concept of 'linguistic relativity' suggests that:

Accepted Answer

The structure of language influences our perception and understanding of the world.

Answer

Language is solely determined by the culture in which it is spoken.

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All languages are equally expressive and capable of conveying the same ideas.

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Language serves as an exact mirror of the world around us.

Question 14

How does the comparative method aid in uncovering the historical connections and shared ancestry among different languages?

Accepted Answer

By comparing linguistic features across languages to infer common origins and shared evolutionary paths

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By examining the fossilized remains of ancient languages

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By reconstructing hypothetical ancestral languages based on modern-day languages

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By analyzing the social and cultural factors that influence language change

Question 15

Examine the advantages and drawbacks of the family tree model in portraying language connections. Explain how alternative models, like wave theory, deepen our comprehension of language evolution.

Accepted Answer

The family tree model effectively illustrates language divergence and split but oversimplifies language relationships.

Accepted Answer

Wave theory offers a more realistic representation of language change, capturing gradual, continuous change and the impact of neighboring languages.

Answer

Both models provide comparable insights into language change.

Question 16

How do contact-induced language change and language borrowing processes contribute to the evolution and diversification of languages?

Accepted Answer

They create new linguistic features, accelerating evolution and increasing diversity.

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They make languages more similar to each other.

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They preserve archaic features, hindering change.

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They have no impact on language evolution and diversification.

Question 17

According to Neogrammarian theory, sound changes are:

Accepted Answer

Regular and exceptionless in language evolution

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Influenced by speakers' age

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Random and unpredictable

Question 18

Which of the following is an example of a synchronic approach in linguistics?

Accepted Answer

Examining the sound system of a language at a specific point in time

Answer

Tracing the historical development of a language

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Comparing different languages to identify shared features

Question 19

What is the significance of internal reconstruction in historical linguistics?

Accepted Answer

It enables linguists to deduce ancestral languages without written records

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It establishes the exact origin of all languages

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It can only be applied to closely related languages

Question 20

What is the term for the process by which a language loses specific features or structures over time?

Accepted Answer

Simplification

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Divergence

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Complexification

Question 21

What is the essential difference between a cognate and a loanword?

Accepted Answer

Cognates share a common ancestral origin, while loanwords are borrowed from other languages

Answer

Cognates are borrowed from other languages, while loanwords are created within a language

Question 22

What is the field of linguistics that explores the relationship between language change and social and cultural factors?

Accepted Answer

Sociolinguistics

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Morphology

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Syntax

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Phonology