Question 1

What term describes the particular aspect of how languages developed through contact with other environments and people?

Accepted Answer

Spatial diffusion is the term that describes how languages and dialects spread or evolve when they come into contact with other languages or dialects, often due to migration, trade, or other forms of interaction.

Question 2

What environmental conditions tend to have the level of highest linguistic diversity?

Accepted Answer

Mountainous places hindering movement tend to have higher linguistic diversity as isolated communities develop their own unique languages.

Question 3

Even in the most remote locations, what has always been present in speech communities from premodern times through to today?

Accepted Answer

Multilingualism has always been present in speech communities from premodern times through to today, even in remote locations where people live in relative isolation. This is because language has always been a tool for communication and trade, and as a result, people have been constantly exposed to other languages and influenced by them. Monolingualism is rare, as people are usually exposed to multiple languages even if they are not fluent in them. Written language, while important, has not always been present in pre-modern times, especially in remote locations. Minor dialects are also present, but not as consistently as multilingualism.

Question 4

What is NOT one of the languages descending from the Latin legacy of the Roman Empire?

Accepted Answer

English is not directly descended from the Latin legacy of the Roman Empire. While English has borrowed many words and grammar concepts from Latin, it evolved from a Germanic language and did not directly descend from the Latin language.

Question 5

Which of the following is an example of how language use reflects imperial incorporation?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following is an example...

Question 6

What toponymic era is represented by the situation of Alice Springs, Australia and the reemergence of the long-silenced Aboriginal name of Mparntwe?

Accepted Answer

The reemergence of the Aboriginal name of Mparntwe represents a postcolonial toponymic era, where there is a push to recognize and incorporate Indigenous names and histories into contemporary geographies.

Question 7

The larger the number of divergent _____ names, the greater the force of singular _____ namings.

Accepted Answer

The statement is discussing naming practices and the relationship between divergent names and singular namings. The most appropriate choices are B - indigenous and colonial, as this directly refers to the relationship between the naming practices of colonizers and the original names given by indigenous communities. The other options may not accurately reflect this dynamic.

Question 8

What term describes how a colonial power renames the landscape by replacing local words with those from the colonial language as an act of appropriation and control?

Accepted Answer

Toponymic colonialism refers to the practice of renaming places and landscapes with names from the colonial language as a way of asserting control and ownership over the land.

Question 9

What type of contact language form develops and is adopted permanently?

Accepted Answer

Creole is a contact language that develops when two or more languages come together and create a simplified, mutually understood language. Once a creole language is adopted permanently, it becomes the native language of a community and can continue to evolve and develop into a full-fledged language. Accents, dialects, and pidgins are also contact language forms, but they do not typically develop into permanent, distinct languages like creoles do.

Question 10

What is considered the localization of language, often evolving very distinct regional variants, particularly over long periods of time?

Accepted Answer

Dialects refer to the localization of language and the development of distinct regional variants over time. Accents, creoles, and pidgins may also be influenced by regional factors, but they do not necessarily involve the long-term evolution of distinct linguistic variations.

Question 11

What is the best example of a formal language domain?

Accepted Answer

A formal language domain typically refers to a specific context or environment where a particular set of rules and guidelines govern communication. The court is an excellent example of a formal language domain because it involves legal proceedings where specific legal terminology, procedures, and protocols are used, and any miscommunication or misunderstanding could have significant consequences. Other formal language domains include academic and scientific settings, technical and medical professions, and government agencies.

Question 12

What is an example of code switching?

Accepted Answer

Code-switching is the practice of alternating between two or more languages or language varieties in a single conversation or interaction. In the example given in option C, the children switch between English and Urdu depending on the context and the audience they are communicating with. This is a common practice among bilingual individuals and communities. Options A, B, and D refer to language variations based on geographical, social or national variations, but they do not involve code-switching.

Question 13

What group specifically drives the language shift occurrence?

Accepted Answer

Second generation children often drive language shift as they are more likely to adopt the dominant language of the society they grow up in, especially through education and socialization outside the home.

Question 14

What is NOT an example of a liturgical language?

Accepted Answer

Hindi is not typically considered a liturgical language. Liturgical languages are those used for religious purposes and are often associated with specific religions or traditions. Hindi is a national language of India and is used in a variety of contexts, but it is not closely tied to a particular religious tradition in the way that the other options are.

Question 15

What type of approach to a national language would be most likely employed by a settled, long-established country?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What type of approach to a national...

Question 16

What is NOT one of the four types of language policy?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is NOT one of the four...

Question 17

What type of language policy is illustrated when each state in the US provides English and Spanish versions of state-specific documents and forms?

Accepted Answer

Providing documents and forms in both English and Spanish demonstrates a pluralist language policy, which acknowledges and respects the linguistic diversity of the population. It also allows for equal access and participation in government services for those who may have limited proficiency in English. This policy does not suggest domination or assimilation into a single language.

Question 18

What group is likely the most vulnerable to language replacement?

Accepted Answer

Small speech communities are the most vulnerable to language replacement as they have very few speakers and limited resources to maintain and pass on their language to future generations. This makes them more susceptible to cultural and linguistic assimilation. Growing immigrant neighborhoods and first generation young people may also be vulnerable, but they have the advantage of a larger community to maintain their language and culture. Economically powerful culture groups typically have the resources and influence to maintain their language, making them less vulnerable to language replacement.

Question 19

What has become the contemporary language of global interaction?

Accepted Answer

English has become the contemporary language of global interaction due to its widespread use in commerce, diplomacy, and technology. It is estimated that over 1.5 billion people worldwide speak English, making it the most spoken language in the world. Many countries also teach English as a second language in schools to prepare their citizens for international communication and collaboration.

Question 20

What has particularly accelerated the rate of global English competency?

Accepted Answer

Cultural globalization has particularly accelerated the rate of global English competency by spreading English through media, entertainment, and the internet, making it a global lingua franca.

Quiz 11: The Geography of Language