Talking Animal - Quiz On Sociolinguistics 1(Week 7, After Midterm Exam)

In sociolinguistics, the term "taboo" refers to any prohibition on the use of particular lexical items. This means that certain words or phrases are considered inappropriate, offensive, or forbidden within a particular social or cultural context. These taboos can vary widely across different societies and can be based on factors such as religion, superstition, or social norms. The use of taboo language is often seen as disrespectful or vulgar, and individuals may face social consequences for violating these prohibitions.

The sentence "Would you mind opening the window?" is an example of a politeness formula. This formula is used to make a request in a polite and considerate manner. By using the phrase "Would you mind," the speaker is showing respect for the listener's possible inconvenience and allowing them the option to refuse the request. This formula is commonly used in social interactions to maintain positive relationships and demonstrate good manners.

Sociolects are a type of language variation that is typically associated with the socio-economic status of the speakers. Sociolects refer to the specific language patterns, vocabulary, and accents that are used by individuals or groups within a particular social class or community. This variation in language can be influenced by factors such as education, occupation, and social background. Therefore, the statement that "sociolects are usually thought of in terms of the socio-economic status of the speakers" accurately describes the relationship between sociolects and social status.

A register refers to a specific style or form of language that is appropriate for particular speech situations. It is a way of speaking that is characterized by specific vocabulary, grammar, and tone. Different registers are used in different contexts, such as formal or informal settings, professional or casual conversations, or technical or everyday language. Therefore, a register is a term used to describe the appropriate way of speaking in specific speech situations.

Sociolects are typically associated with the socio-economic status of the speakers. This means that the language or dialect used by individuals is influenced by their social and economic background. Socio-economic factors such as education, occupation, and income can shape the vocabulary, pronunciation, and grammar used by different social groups. Therefore, sociolects provide insights into the social standing and class of individuals within a society.

In situations involving multilingualism, multiple community languages are used at home, in shopping, and recreational and cultural activities. This means that there is a diverse linguistic environment where people speak different languages based on their cultural backgrounds and preferences. Multilingualism promotes cultural exchange and understanding among individuals from different linguistic backgrounds.

Slang refers to informal or faddish usages in language that are commonly used by almost anyone in a speech community. It is a type of language that is characterized by its non-standard vocabulary and expressions, often associated with specific groups or subcultures. Slang is used to create a sense of belonging, establish identity, and convey a certain level of informality or coolness. It is different from other options like langue, jargon, or none of these, as they do not specifically refer to informal or faddish usages in language.

In situations involving multilingualism, multiple community languages are used at home, in shopping, and recreational and cultural activities. This means that within a community or society, there is a diverse range of languages spoken and used in various aspects of daily life. This can occur in culturally diverse regions or countries where people from different linguistic backgrounds coexist and interact regularly. Multilingualism promotes inclusivity and allows individuals to communicate and express themselves in their native languages, fostering cultural exchange and understanding.

A register refers to a specific style or form of language that is appropriate for particular speech situations. It is a way of speaking or writing that is specific to certain contexts or social groups. Therefore, the correct answer is "speech situations" as it accurately reflects the definition and use of registers in communication.

Prescriptivists, who adhere strictly to traditional grammar rules, often single out double negatives as a feature of non-standard varieties. In standard English, using two negatives in a sentence cancels each other out, resulting in a positive meaning. However, in non-standard varieties, such as certain dialects or informal speech, double negatives are used for emphasis or to convey a different meaning. Prescriptivists view this as incorrect grammar and advocate for using only one negative in a sentence.

Euphemism refers to the practice of using milder or less offensive words or expressions to replace those that are considered offensive, obscene, or disturbing. It is a way of speaking or writing that aims to be more polite, tactful, or politically correct. By using euphemisms, individuals can avoid directly mentioning sensitive or uncomfortable topics, making communication more comfortable and less offensive.

The disappearance of Cornish in Cornwall in the 18th century is a case of language death. This term refers to the complete extinction of a language, where it is no longer spoken or understood by any community. In the case of Cornish, it ceased to be spoken as a native language and eventually became extinct, with only a few remnants remaining in written form. This is different from language shift, which refers to a situation where a community adopts a new language, and language stagnation, which refers to a lack of significant change or development in a language over time.

Language maintenance refers to the continued use and preservation of a language within a community or society. It implies that multiple languages coexist in a stable relationship, without any significant decline or shift towards a dominant language. This term highlights the importance of actively supporting and promoting the use of a language to ensure its survival and vitality.

The term jargon in sociolinguistics refers to a specialized vocabulary that is specific to a particular field or profession. It is not related to faddish usage or politics. Therefore, the correct answer is "some field."

Prescriptivists are individuals who advocate for strict adherence to grammar rules and language standards. They often criticize non-standard varieties, such as the use of double negatives, considering them as incorrect or improper. Therefore, prescriptivists are likely to single out features like double negatives for criticism and correction.

The situation with Breton in France and Gaelic in Scotland involves language shift. This means that these languages are experiencing a decline in usage and are being replaced by dominant languages like French and English. Language shift occurs when a community stops using their native language in favor of another language, often due to social, economic, or political factors. In the case of Breton and Gaelic, the dominance of French and English respectively has led to a decrease in the number of speakers and a shift towards the use of the dominant languages.

In-group covert prestige refers to the phenomenon where individuals within a particular social group or community use non-standard forms of language to establish their identity and gain status among their peers. In this case, men claim to use non-standard forms more than women, suggesting that they are seeking to establish their social identity and gain prestige within their male-dominated group. This aligns with the concept of in-group covert prestige, making it the most suitable explanation for the given scenario.

Social network analysis is the correct answer because it studies the relationships and interactions between individuals or groups within a social network. It examines how people's communication patterns and language use are influenced by the people they interact with. This lends weight to the notion that "we talk like those we talk to" because our language and communication style are shaped by our social connections and the influence of others in our network.

The given correct answer is "gender-variable". This term refers to a situation where there is a difference or variation in the way language is used based on gender. In this case, the use of words like "lovely" and "nice" being claimed to be more common among women than men suggests that there is a variation in language usage based on gender, making it a gender-variable differentiation.

The topic of language and gender includes the differences in language use that are associated with the gender of the speaker, the addressee, and/or the referent. This means that the language used can vary depending on the gender of the person being referred to or talked about. It is important to consider the role of the referent in understanding how language and gender interact.

Social stratification is the view that SES (socioeconomic status) is an important correlate of differences in language usage. This means that individuals with different levels of socioeconomic status tend to use language differently. Higher SES individuals may use more formal and standard language, while lower SES individuals may use more informal and non-standard language. This correlation between SES and language usage can be attributed to various factors such as access to education, cultural capital, and social networks.

The given answer "none of these" suggests that the social construction of masculinity does not involve any of the options provided, which are saving face, facing the consequences, and accommodation. However, without further context or information, it is difficult to provide a more specific explanation.

The answer is avoidance

In certain societies, men and women use different verb forms, indicating that the language differentiates between genders. This suggests that the society practices gender-exclusive differentiation, where specific linguistic rules or norms are applied based on an individual's gender.

The replacement of forms such as 'chairman' by 'chair(person)' and 'fireman' by 'fire fighter' involves the elimination of specific gendered forms. In other words, it does not involve replacing them with any of the options given in the answer choices.