History Of English Language - Quiz 1

Regional varieties within a language are called dialects. Dialects are variations of a language that are specific to a particular region or group of people. They can differ in terms of pronunciation, vocabulary, and grammar. Dialects often develop due to geographical isolation or social factors, and they contribute to the rich diversity of languages around the world. Jargons, slang, and sociolects are not specifically related to regional varieties, making them incorrect options.

Sociolects are varieties of language that are specific to certain social groups. They are characterized by unique vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation, which are used to establish and maintain social identity within the group. Unlike dialects, which are regional variations of a language, sociolects are associated with specific social factors such as age, gender, occupation, or ethnicity. Therefore, the term "sociolects" accurately describes the varieties typical for social groups.

External change refers to any change that occurs outside of a system or organization. It can include factors such as changes in the market, technology advancements, political events, or social trends. The term "largely unpredictable" suggests that external change is mostly difficult to forecast or anticipate accurately. This is because external factors are influenced by various complex and interconnected variables, making it challenging to predict their outcomes with certainty. Therefore, the correct answer is "unpredictable."

A register typical for an occupation is called jargon. Jargon refers to specialized vocabulary or language used by people in a particular profession or field. It includes technical terms, abbreviations, and specific phrases that are understood by individuals within that occupation. Jargon helps facilitate effective communication among professionals in a specific domain as it allows them to convey complex ideas and concepts efficiently.

In Modern English, grammatical relations are primarily indicated by word order and prepositions. This suggests that the language is analytic. In analytic languages, the meaning of a sentence is conveyed through the arrangement of words rather than through inflections or word endings. English relies heavily on word order and the use of prepositions to convey relationships between words and to express grammatical functions. This distinguishes it from synthetic languages, which use inflections and affixes to indicate grammatical relations.

In Old English, grammatical relations were mainly indicated by endings on nouns and verbs. This suggests that the language was synthetic. In synthetic languages, words are inflected to indicate their grammatical function, such as case, number, and tense. This is in contrast to analytic languages, where grammatical relations are expressed through word order and function words. Therefore, the use of endings in Old English points to a synthetic grammatical structure.

In AD 449, Germanic tribes, specifically the Angles, Saxons, and Jutes, invaded and settled in the British Isles. This event is known as the Anglo-Saxon invasion and marked the beginning of the Anglo-Saxon period in Britain's history. The invasion had a significant impact on the culture, language, and society of the British Isles, ultimately shaping the development of England.

Language contact refers to the interaction between different languages, often due to the contact between different speech communities. This interaction can result in changes in the languages involved. In this case, the correct answer is "external change" because language contact involves the influence of external factors, such as borrowing words or grammatical structures from another language, which can lead to changes in a language. It is called "external" because it is influenced by factors outside of the language itself.

The correct answer is 62% because English has borrowed extensively from both Latin and French throughout its history. Many English words have Latin origins, especially those related to science, medicine, law, and religion. Additionally, French has had a significant influence on English vocabulary due to the Norman Conquest in 1066. This resulted in the adoption of numerous French words in areas such as cuisine, fashion, and art. Therefore, it is estimated that the total percentage of English words of Latin and French origin is 62%.

The last entry in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle dates from 1154. The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle is a collection of annals that provides a historical account of events in England from the 9th to the 12th century. The fact that the last entry is in 1154 indicates that this is the year when the Chronicle ends, suggesting that it was no longer updated after this point. This is significant as it marks the transition from the Anglo-Saxon period to the Norman period in English history, with the ascension of Henry II to the throne in 1154.