Question 1

Language continuum is defined as

Accepted Answer

The language continuum refers to the gradual variation in language as one moves from one geographic location to another. Therefore, option D, "the idea that variation in languages appears gradually over distance between places," best defines the language continuum.

Question 2

The work of the Summer Institute of Linguistics presents a challenge to anthropology due to its work being

Accepted Answer

The Summer Institute of Linguistics is a religious organization that aims to translate the Bible into endangered languages, while simultaneously collecting linguistic and cultural data. Therefore, their work presents a challenge to anthropology as their research serves both as a means of proselytizing and capturing data that may not be easily accessible.

Question 3

According to the textbook,human languages are being

Accepted Answer

The answer of According to the textbook,human languages are being
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Question 4

One major characteristic of language that is not easily conveyed in digital communications is emotion,and this is due largely to the absence of

Accepted Answer

Emotion is conveyed not only through the words used, but also through paralanguage, such as tone of voice, facial expressions, and body language. These nonverbal cues are not easily replicated or conveyed through digital communications. While emoticons can provide some indication of emotion, they are not a substitute for paralanguage.

Question 5

In 2009,newly elected president Barack Obama visited a famous eatery in Washington,D.C. ;after paying his tab,he was asked by the cashier if he wanted his change.The president's reply was,"Nah,we straight." The president was using a form of

Accepted Answer

The president was using code switching, which refers to the ability to switch between different languages or dialects, or between different cultural or social groups, depending on the context and audience. In this case, the president was using an informal, African American English (AAE) expression commonly used among friends and family, but not necessarily in formal or professional settings. By using this expression, the president was signaling his solidarity with the African American community, while also acknowledging his role as a public figure who needs to be mindful of his language use. This example illustrates the complex ways in which language shapes and reflects social identity, power, and cultural norms.

Question 6

A historical linguist would be most likely to study

Accepted Answer

Historical linguists study the development of language over time, including its changes and variations. They look at how languages evolve and change over time, and how they are related to one another through linguistic family trees.

Question 7

Words such as mouse,download,and e-mail are all a kind of

Accepted Answer

These words belong to a specific category of words called focal vocabulary, which are words that are particular to a certain group or culture and are often not easily translatable to other languages. These words have become essential within the tech industry and are now widely used in everyday language.

Question 8

When individuals speak in a manner that does not conform to what is known as "Standard English," there is often an implicit association with

Accepted Answer

When individuals do not speak in "Standard English" there is often an implicit association with race or class. This is due to negative stereotypes and biases associated with nonstandard dialects or accents.

Question 9

Dialect is defined as a nonstandard variation of a language that

Accepted Answer

A dialect is a nonstandard variation of a language that is specific to a particular region.

Question 10

The recent turmoil in the Middle East,what some have termed the Arab Spring,was driven in part by the extensive use of social media and has led to the creation of a new kind of

Accepted Answer

The Arab Spring led to the creation of a new lexicon or set of words and phrases specific to the events and movements of that time. This includes terms like "hashtag activism" and "clicktivism." The extensive use of social media also played a significant role in spreading information and organizing protests. While the Arab Spring did change the political reality of the Middle East, the question specifically asks about a linguistic impact.

Question 11

Sociolinguistics is defined as the study of

Accepted Answer

Sociolinguistics is concerned with the relationship between language and social factors such as power, identity, and community. It seeks to understand how language can be used to create and maintain social structures, as well as how social structures can influence language use and development. Therefore, choice A is the best option.

Question 12

In their study of "Spoken Soul," Rickford and Rickford concluded that

Accepted Answer

In their study, Rickford and Rickford found that Spoken Soul (a linguistic variant used by African Americans) is in wide use by African Americans in a range of settings, such as everyday conversation, music, and comedy. They also noted that it is a vibrant and dynamic language variety that is constantly evolving. Therefore, option D is the correct choice.

Question 13

A nonstandard variation of a language is referred to as a

Accepted Answer

A dialect is a variation of a language that is specific to a particular region or social group and may differ in vocabulary, pronunciation, grammar, and syntax from the standard form of the language. It is considered nonstandard because it is not the form of the language that is most widely recognized or used in educational or formal settings, but it is still a legitimate variant of the language. Options A, B, and D are not correct in this context.

Question 14

Just as information technology is helping to preserve some languages such as Lakota,it also can endanger a language.This might be because

Accepted Answer

The increasing global connection brought on by information technology means that people are more likely to use widely spoken languages for communication, leaving smaller, less spoken languages at risk of being marginalized and endangered. As the world becomes more interconnected through technology, it becomes more imperative to preserve and promote minority languages.

Question 15

"Digital native" might be understood by an anthropologist as

Accepted Answer

The term "digital native" typically refers to individuals who were born after the widespread adoption of digital technology, specifically after 1980. These individuals have grown up with technology and are generally comfortable using and interacting with digital devices like smartphones and laptops.

Question 16

The efforts to preserve the Native American Lakota language,spoken by about fifty thousand people in the United States,has led to

Accepted Answer

The article mentions the integration of social media into the preservation effort, indicating that the Lakota language preservation effort has adapted to modern technology and is utilizing social media platforms to spread knowledge and encourage language learning.

Answer: A 
 The article mentions efforts to preserve the Lakota language, indicating that focus is on maintaining the language and cultural knowledge base. It does not mention widespread adoption of Lakota terms or loss of cultural capital due to online piracy.

Question 17

Efforts to enforce the use of "Standard English" in a school setting frequently evoke major controversy,and the erosion of what many perceive as "national identity" is touted as one major reason why "Standard English" should be the norm.When "Ebonics" was introduced in Oakland Schools,it sought to

Accepted Answer

The introduction of "Ebonics" in Oakland Schools sought to help African American children succeed in school by recognizing their unique linguistic and cultural background and providing appropriate support for their language development. It did not seek to replace Standard English with Black English in the school district or introduce a new federal policy that allowed the teaching of nonstandard English. Teachers were not certified as proficient in Black English but were trained to understand and respect the language and cultural diversity of their students.

Question 18

How might an anthropologist refer to people born after 1980 regarding their abilities to navigate Web sites,wikis,and blogs,and to send text messages?

Accepted Answer

This term has been widely used by academics and researchers to refer to individuals born after the advent of the digital age (around 1980 or later) who have grown up with digital technology as an integral part of their lives. They are believed to have innate abilities to navigate digital devices and platforms with ease, including Web sites, wikis, and blogs, and to communicate using text messages and other digital modes of communication.

Question 19

According to the textbook,the government of ________ has struggled to monitor and censor highly decentralized information that publicizes worker strikes,oppressive working conditions,and local government corruption.

Accepted Answer

The mention of worker strikes, oppressive working conditions, and local government corruption suggests a country with a significant industrial and labor force, and a history of political repression. Among the choices, China fits this description best, as it has a large industrial sector, a sizable labor force, and well-documented cases of government repression and censorship of dissident activities.

Question 20

Chinese,spoken by about 1.2 million people,is the most common native language in the world.At the same time,many Chinese students are sent abroad to English-speaking countries to learn English.This may be in part because

Accepted Answer

English is the dominant spoken language worldwide and is central in education and technology. Additionally, it is the language used in media and is essential for communication in many industries. Therefore, Chinese students may choose to learn English to be competitive in global markets and to facilitate their international communication and education. The other options do not provide a satisfactory explanation for why Chinese students are sent abroad to learn English.

Quiz 4: Language