Unit 4.1-4.2 Flashcards
What is language?
A system of communication through speech, movement, sounds, or symbols understood by a group of people
Movement includes signs like thumbs up, not just sign language.
What is a language family?
A collection of languages related through a common ancestral language
What are the classifications of languages based on usage?
- Institutional
- Developing
- Vigorous
- Threatened
- Dying
Define ‘Institutional’ language.
Used in work, education, mass media, and government
Define ‘Developing Language’.
In daily use by people of all ages
Define ‘Vigorous Language’.
In daily use by people of all ages, but lacks a literary tradition
Define ‘Threatened Language’.
Used for face-to-face communication, but is losing users
Define ‘Dying Language’.
Used by older people, but is not being transmitted to children
What is an Austronesian Language?
Languages related to one another but have diverged due to isolation after migration
What factors contribute to language divergence?
- Migration
- Isolation
- Political factors (takeover)
Which language family includes the most familiar European languages?
Indo-European
Where are the most diverse sounds in language found?
Western Africa
What percentage of the world uses a language from one of seven language families?
More than 90%
What is an example of a Dravidian language?
South Indian languages
What are the branches of the Indo-European language family?
- Indo-Iranian
- Germanic
- Balto-Slavic
- Romance
What are the three major language families in Africa?
- Afro-Asiatic
- Niger-Congo
- Nilo-Saharan
Which language family dominates much of Northern Africa?
Afro-Asiatic
What language family do more than 95% of people in Sub-Saharan Africa belong to?
Niger-Congo
What is a Lingua Franca?
A language of international communication
True or False: Linguists suspect the earliest speakers lived inland.
True
What is an Official Language?
A language used by the government to enact legislation, public documents, and conduct other public affairs.
What is a Working Language?
The language designated by international organizations.
How many official and working languages does the United States have?
The United States has six official and working languages: English, French, Arabic, Spanish, Russian, and Chinese.
What denotes Official EU languages?
Official EU languages are written in black, bolder font. Purple lettering denotes protected minority languages.
