MH Language and Linguistics 2

Question 1

Which phenomenon describes the process by which a word's meaning broadens over time, as in 'dog' once referring only to one breed?

Accepted Answer

Semantic broadening

Answer

Semantic broadening (or generalization) occurs when a word's meaning expands to encompass a wider range of referents over time.

Question 2

In Chomsky's transformational generative grammar, what is the term for the abstract underlying structure of a sentence before transformational rules apply?

Accepted Answer

Deep structure

Answer

Deep structure is the abstract syntactic level that represents the core meaning relationships of a sentence before transformations produce the surface structure.

Question 3

Which branch of linguistics studies how social factors such as age, gender, and class influence language variation?

Accepted Answer

Sociolinguistics

Answer

Sociolinguistics examines the relationship between language and society, including how social variables affect language use and variation.

Question 4

What term describes a pidgin language that has become the native language of a speech community with expanded grammar and vocabulary?

Accepted Answer

Creole

Answer

A creole develops when a pidgin becomes nativized, acquiring greater grammatical complexity as it becomes the primary language of a community.

Question 5

The Sapir-Whorf hypothesis (linguistic relativity) argues that language primarily:

Accepted Answer

Shapes or influences thought and perception

Answer

The Sapir-Whorf hypothesis posits that the language one speaks influences or determines how one perceives and categorizes the world.

MH - Master of Humanities Practice Test

MH - Master of Humanities Practice Test

MH Language and Linguistics 2