LANGUAGE AND SOCIETY

UEF
2021
1. The word ‘language’ is used to refer either to ________ or to a group of related norms, and
‘dialect’ is used to refer to one of the norms.
A. a single syntactic norm B. a single meaningful norm
C. a single linguistic norm D. a completely semantic norm
2. The term ‘dialect’ often implies ________, when such terms are applied to language, and can
connote various degrees of inferiority, with that connotation of inferiority carried over to those who
speak a dialect.
A. nonstandard or even substandard B. superiority or even inferiority
C. standard or even substandard D. denotation or even connotation
3. In the everyday use of the term, ‘language’ is usually used to mean both ________; dialects are
nonstandard and subordinate to languages.
A. the institutional category and the standard variety
B. the original category and the specific variety
C. the superordinate category and the standard variety
D. the special category and the regional variety
4. The commonly criterion used to determine if two varieties are dialects of the same language or
distinct languages is that of ________.
A. mutual intelligibility B. reciprocal comprehension
C. bilingual intelligibility D. internal intelligibility
5. Everyone can modify the way they speak depending on ________.
A. who they are with or what the situation is B. where they are or when they are with
C. what they say and why they say it D. what they work on or who they live with
6. When people modify the way they speak, they are drawing on their ________.
A. plan of speaking B. reason to explain
C. sociolinguistic knowledge D. background of their culture group
7. Every time people change the way they speak, depending on their interlocutor or situation, they
provide ________ that builds up the sociolinguistic knowledge in the community.
A. more reasonable information B. more sociolinguistic information
C. more explainable information D. more valuable opportunities
8. Sociolinguists use a range of methods to analyze ________ of language in use and ________
towards language in use.
A. patterns / attitudes B. willingness / behavior
C. aspiration / expectation D. policy / treatment
9. Even though sociolinguistics wears many caps, one thing linking all of the practitioners in the
field is that they are all interested in ________.
A. how people understand the language and how they interpret it
B. how people vary language and what they replace it with
C. how people use language and what they use it for
D. how people use dialects and what they use them for
10. If speakers can understand each other, they are speaking dialects of the same language; if they
cannot, they are speaking ________.
A. majority languages B. different languages
C. slang languages D. vernacular languages
11. All languages exhibit ________, that is, each language exists in a number of varieties and is in one
sense the sum of those varieties.
A. internal exchange B. internal variation
C. personal change D. external variation
12. We use the term variety as a general term for ________; this may be something as broad as Standard
English, a variety defined in terms of location and social class.
A. a way of understanding B. a way of interpreting
C. a way of expressing D. a way of speaking
13. Names are not only ascribed by region, which is what we might expect, but sometimes also by
________.
A. caste, religion, village, and so on B. salary, expenditure, environment, and so on
C. education, beliefs, community, and so on D. ethnic, races, family, and so on
14. Linguists use the term vernacular to refer to the ________ in ordinary, commonplace, social
interactions.
A. language a person grows up with and uses in everyday life
B. language a person struggles for and uses in private life
C. dialect a person grows up with and uses in communal life
D. slang a person grows up with and uses in social life
15. Although ordinary people use the terms ‘language’ and ‘dialect’ quite freely in speech, for them a
dialect is almost certainly no more than a ________ variety of a ‘real’ language.
A. local non-prestigious B. regionally powerful
C. social prestigious D. institutionally prestigious
Decide whether the following statements are true or false. Choose T if the statement

is true, and choose F if it is false.

16. Mutual intelligibility is a very efficient criterion which is used to distinguish

between language varieties.

T F
17. Variation refers to the differences that may occur outside a language.

T F
18. Sociolinguists believe that speakers know not only how to form sentences but

also how to use them appropriately.

T F
19. The way a person speaks is influenced by the participants and the setting only.

T F
20. Patois is a French term used to refer to a dialect which has a literary tradition.

T F
21. It is also used to discuss the speakers’ identification with social categories of all
types, including not only enduring social categories but also situational roles and
interactional stances of similarity and difference.
T F
22. A key concept in the study of identities is that identity is not something you have,
it is something you do.
T F
23. Identity may be constructed through the same linguistic means. For instance, the
use of certain lexical forms or language varieties, as might particular communicative
practices.
T F
24. Many people who live in such places as North America, Singapore, India, Boston,
New York, and so on show a remarkable uniformity to one another in their grammar
and vocabulary because they speak Standard English and the differences are merely
those of intonation, that is, how they pronounce what they say.
T F
25. One English accent has achieved a certain eminence, the accent known as
Received Pronunciation (RP), the accent of perhaps as few as 3 percent of those
who live in Great Britain.
T F
26. Other names for the accent of Received Pronunciation (RP) are the Queen’s
English, Oxford English, and BBC English.
T F
27. Those who use the accent of Received Pronunciation (RP) are often regarded as
speaking ‘unaccented’ English because it has got a regional association within
England.
T F
28. Today, written Standard English is codified to the extent that the grammar and
vocabulary of written varieties of English are much the same everywhere in the
world: variation among local standards is really quite minor.
T F

29. Some people are also aware that the standard variety of any language is actually
only the preferred accent of that language.
T F
30. There may be very distinctive local colorings in the language which you notice
as you move from one location to another. Such distinctive varieties are usually
called official dialects of the language.
T F
 
 Choose the best option A, B, C or D to complete each blank or to respond to each question.

31. Sociolinguists claim that the defining factor in determining whether two varieties are considered distinct
languages or dialects of the same language is ________, not linguistic similarity or difference.
A. sociopolitical formality B. sociopolitical differences
C. sociopolitical identity D. sociopolitical similarity
32. We can observe that ________ need not necessarily be determined by the language they speak.
A. the loyalty of a group of people B. the strength of a group of people
C. the formality of a group of people D. the vigilance of a group of people
33. Alsatian people look to France not Germany for national leadership and they use French, not German,
as the ________.
A. language of unity and higher education B. language of mobility and higher education
C. language of mobility and higher development D. language of mobility and high class
34. The various relationships among languages and dialects can be used to show ________ help us
understand what is happening.
A. how the concepts of power and solidarity B. how the concepts of loyalty and friendship
C. how the concepts of heritage and preservation D. how the concepts of wealth and power
35. Power requires some kind of asymmetrical relationship between entities: one has more of something
that is important, for example, status, money, influence, and so on, than the other or others. A language has
________ any of its dialects.
A. more equality than B. more rights than
C. more power than D. more priorities than
36. Situations in which there is ________ make it apparent that the lines drawn between languages are not
based on linguistic criteria.
A. a dialect minority B. a dialect continuum
C. a dialect variety D. a vernacular language continuum
37. The problem with using mutual intelligibility as the ________ as a dialect or a language is that even
without a dialect continuum, there are many examples of named, distinct languages that are mutually
intelligible.
A. criterion for status B. criterion for priority
C. standard for status D. goal to gain a caste
38. ________, Serbo-Croatian is a single South Slav language used by two groups of people, the Serbs and
Croats, with somewhat different historical, cultural, and religious backgrounds.
A. Specifically B. Historically
C. Generally D. Linguistically
39. Although they share a writing system, Mandarin and Cantonese are not mutually intelligible in spoken
discourse; written characters are pronounced differently in these varieties although ________.
A. they preserve the original meanings B. they gain different meanings
C. they maintain the same syntax D. they maintain the same meaning
40. Speakers of Mandarin and Cantonese consider themselves speakers of different dialects of the same
language, for to the Chinese a shared writing system and ________ form essential parts of their definition of
language.
A. a strong tradition of political, social, and cultural unity
B. a loose tradition of political, religious, and cultural unity
C. a strong heritage of political, social, and cultural unity
D. a strong tradition of educational, religious, and cultural unity
Choose the best option A, B, C or D to complete each blank or to respond to each question.

41. The standardization of a language involves ________.

A. the spread of the language around the world
B. the development of grammars, spelling books, and dictionaries
C. choosing a style and register in which the language is spoken typically
D. choosing a social class to speak the language
42. Which of the following is NOT TRUE of standard language ideology?
A. Standard language is the norm.
B. Standard language is the optimum for educational purposes.
C. Standard language is a prestige variety.
D. Standard language is chosen based primarily on linguistic criteria.
43. Which groups of countries belong to the Outer Circle?
A. Australia, New Zealand and the Philippines
B. India, China, and Brazil
C. Singapore, Nigeria, and the Philippines
D. Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Malaysia.
44. Which of the following are true?
A. The Inner Circle Englishes are said to be norm-providing.
B. The Outer Circle Englishes are said to be norm-developing.
C. The Expanding Circle Englishes are said to be norm-dependent.
 D. A variety of English in the Outer Circle or in the Expanding Circle can be a member of the Inner Circle after having
 been standardized.
45. Which of the following statements is NOT TRUE of Standard English?
A. Standard English is primarily a case of grammar, vocabulary and pronunciation.
B. Standard English is associated with social class and ethnic traits.
C. Standard English has Received Pronunciation (RP) as its accent.
D. Standard English is promoted through education.
46. Which of the following statements is TRUE of Standard English?
A. Standard English is primarily a case of semantics.
B. Standard English is associated with slangs.
C. Standard English has Received Pronunciation (RP) as its accent.
D. Standard English is promoted through education.
47. Which of the following statements is NOT TRUE of language standards?
A. They are prescriptive language rules.
B. They remain the same over time.
C. They are those to which language community members are urged to conform.
D. They are those to which language community members are exposed.
48. Which stage of the intervention process of standardization involves choosing one variety or several
features from several varieties to develop?
A. Selection B. Codification C. elaboration of purposes D. acceptance
49. Which groups of countries belong to the Outer Circle?
A. Australia, New Zealand and the Philippines
B. India, China, and Brazil
C. Singapore, Nigeria, and the Philippines
D. Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Malaysia.
50. Which of the following are NOT TRUE?
A. The Inner Circle Englishes are said to be norm-providing.
B. The Outer Circle Englishes are said to be norm-developing.
C. The Expanding Circle Englishes are said to be norm-dependent.
 D. A variety of English in the Outer Circle or in the Expanding Circle can be a member of the Inner Circle
 after having been standardized.
51. Solidarity is a feeling of equality that people have with one another. They have ________
which they will bond.
A. a common interest around B. a common aim around
C. a different interest around D. various interests around
52. A feeling of solidarity can lead people ________ or an endangered language in order to
resist power, or to insist on independence.
A. to change a local dialect B. to leave behind a local dialect
C. to exchange a local dialect D. to preserve a local dialect
53. Part of having power is having the ability ________ as a, or the, prestigious dialect, that is,
a standard language.
A. to maintain your way of speaking from others
B. to impose your way of speaking on others
C. to change your way of speaking as others
D. to take back your way of speaking from others
54. The process through which a standard language arises is _____rather than a linguistic one.
A. primarily a sociopolitical improvement B. primarily a change in culture
C. primarily a biological adaptation D. primarily a sociopolitical process
55. People tend to think of a language as ________ which can be objectively described and
regard dialects as deviations from this norm.
A. a legitimate and fixed system B. a linguistic and fixed system
C. a legitimate and abstract system D. a semantic and fixed system
56. Which of the following statements are NOT TRUE of the first diaspora?
A. It involved the migration of English speakers.
B. English was transported to the New World.
C. The destinations of the English speakers were mainly North America, Australia, and New Zealand.
 D. There was little change between the English varieties of the early colonizers and those of modern North
America.
57. Which of the following statements are NOT TRUE of the second diaspora?
A. It took place at various points during the 18th and 19th centuries.
B. It involved the colonization of Asia and Africa.
C. Most of the Englishes developed in the second diaspora function as ESL nowadays.
D. The second diaspora was the consequence of the first diaspora.
58. English-based creoles in the Southern parts of America and the Caribbean ________.
A. were developed right after slave trade began
B. were spoken by the next generation of the slaves
C. were also the pidgins developed among the slaves and between them and their captors
D. had nothing to do with English
59. Which of the following statements is NOT TRUE of language standards?
A. They are prescriptive language rules.
B. They remain the same over time.
C. They are those to which language community members are urged to conform.
D. They are those to which language community members are exposed.
60. Which stage of the intervention process of standardization involves choosing one variety or several
features from several varieties to develop?
A. Selection B. Codification C. elaboration of purposes D. acceptance
61. Which of the following statements are NOT TRUE of the first diaspora?
A. It involved the migration of English speakers.
B. English was transported to the New World.
C. The destinations of the English speakers were mainly North America, Australia, and New Zealand.
 D. There was little change between the English varieties of the early colonizers and those of modern North
 America.
62. English-based creoles in the Southern parts of America and the Caribbean ________.
A. were developed right after slave trade began.
B. were spoken by the next generation of the slaves.
C. were also the pidgins developed among the slaves and between them and their captors.
D. had nothing to do with English.
63. Which of the following statements are NOT TRUE of the second diaspora?
A. It took place at various points during the 18th and 19th centuries.
B. It involved the colonization of Asia and Africa.
C. Most of the Englishes developed in the second diaspora function as ESL nowadays.
D. The second diaspora was the consequence of the first diaspora.
64. The standardization of a language involves ________.
A. the spread of the language around the world.
B. the development of grammars, spelling books, dictionaries.
C. choosing a style and register in which the language is spoken typically.
D. choosing a social class to speak the language.
65. Which of the following is NOT TRUE of standard language ideology?
A. Standard language is the norm.
B. Standard language is the optimum for educational purposes.
C. Standard language is a prestige variety.
D. Standard language is chosen based primarily on linguistic criteria.
66. Sociolinguistics is most appropriately defined as which of these?
A. The study of human behavior B. The scientific study of vocal sounds
C. The study of animal vocalizations D. The scientific study of language usage
67. The linguistic term "code-switching" refers to which of the following?
A. Using a secret or exclusive language in certain circumstances
B. The use of jargon within a language
C. A speaker's use of more than one language, dialect or register in an utterance or interaction
 D. A type of cryptology
68. A person who speaks three languages fluently is most properly referred to by which of these terms?
 A. Magnalingual B. Bilingual C. Extralingual D. Multilingual
69. Which of the following would NOT be considered a part of sociolinguistics?
A. The study of the sounds in spoken language
 B. The general perception of a dialect within a society
C. The study of the attitudes of people towards certain speech characteristics
 D. The study of socioeconomic and/or political power factors and their influence on language change.
70. Which of the following languages was not widely spread as a result of colonialism?
A. French B. Swedish C. English D. Spanish
71. To what does the term "lingua franca" refer?
 A. A dialect spoken in the Franconian region of Germany
 B. Speaking French

C. A shared language primarily used for business, education or political reasons.

 D. Speaking bluntly or directly
72. "Pidgin" most closely refers to:
 A. An extinct Native American language B. A language group in central Africa
C. People who speak multiple dialects D. A rudimentary language used primarily for
business/trade interactions
73. A lot of relevant information on language planning can be ………………..library and archive

materials, or from more free-form discussions with members of the communities being studied.
A. gleaned from C. borrowed from B. provided from D. received from
74. A major challenge that sociolinguists face is that a lot of the time speakers are completely unaware of the way

in which language is used differently ……………………..

A. in different contexts C. in different relationships
B. in different institutions D. in various situations
75. Part of having power is having the ability ………………………….as a, or the, prestigious dialect, that is,

standard language.
A. to maintain your way of speaking from others B. to impose your way of speaking on others
C. to change your way of speaking as others D. to take back your way of speaking from others