Which of the following refers to an abstract linguistic unit manifested in speech by different variants with the same meaning or function?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A linguistic variable refers to an abstract linguistic unit, such as a vowel sound or grammatical form, that may be realized differently by speakers depending on various factors. For instance, the pronunciation of the English /r/ sound varies regionally, with some speakers pronouncing it more prominently than others. This difference in realization is a linguistic variable.

Which of the Following Refers to an Abstract Linguistic Unit