Questions and Answers
Grammar is complex, allowing us to communicate tiny variations in ______.
meaning
The Cherokee pronoun system can distinguish between 'you and I', 'several other people and I', and 'you, another person and I', while English uses the pronoun ______.
we
Grammar is universal and plays a part in every ______.
language
To understand how grammar is created, someone must be present at the time of a language's ______.
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Some languages evolved due to the Atlantic ______ trade.
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Pidgins are strings of words copied from the language of the ______.
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Pidgins have little in the way of ______, making it hard to deduce when events happened.
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Many historical linguists trace modern complex languages back to ______ languages.
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Speakers need to use ______ in order to make their meaning understood.
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A pidgin can become a complex language when a group of children is exposed to it at the time they learn their ______.
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Complex grammar systems that emerge from pidgins are termed ______.
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Sign languages utilise the same grammatical machinery as ______ languages.
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In 1979, a new government introduced schools for the ______.
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Children at the school developed a sign language that was more ______ and compact.
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Many of the world's most established languages may have originated as ______.
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Children possess innate grammatical ______ in their brains.
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Study Notes
Complexity of Grammar
- Grammar allows the communication of nuanced meanings through word order modifications and auxiliary verbs.
- Every language, including those of 'primitive' tribes, contains sophisticated grammatical systems.
Examples of Grammatical Variations
- Cherokee pronouns can differentiate between speaker groups, unlike the more generalized English pronoun "we."
The Origin of Grammar
- The origins of grammar remain elusive due to the historical requirement of witnessing language creation.
- Historical linguists trace language evolution from simpler forms but struggle to discern the mechanisms of complex grammar formation.
Evolution of Pidgin Languages
- Pidgin languages, formed during the Atlantic slave trade, resulted from diverse ethnicities needing to communicate without a shared language.
- Pidgins lack extensive grammar, often leading to ambiguity in meaning and necessity for circumlocution.
Transition from Pidgins to Creoles
- Children exposed to pidgin languages transform them into complex creole languages, demonstrating their innate grammatical capabilities.
- Creoles possess structured grammatical systems that emerge from children's adaptations of pidgin languages.
Sign Languages as Evidence of Grammar Creation
- Sign languages exhibit grammatical features akin to spoken languages, reinforcing the universal nature of grammar.
- The emergence of a new sign language in Nicaragua started in playgrounds, where children creatively adapted and standardized signs.
Children's Role in Language Development
- Subsequent cohorts of children who learned the emergent sign language developed a more structured and grammatical sign system.
- Many established languages may have originated as creoles, suggesting that even prominent languages like English have roots in children's language innovations.
Innate Grammar in Children
- Children possess inherent grammatical mechanisms that activate during language acquisition, allowing them to construct complex structures without pre-existing grammar to emulate.
- Children's creative capability in language formation highlights their significant role in the evolution of linguistic systems.
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Description
Explore the intricacies of grammar and its evolution in languages through this quiz. Delve into the specifics of grammatical variations, the origins of grammar, and the transition from pidgin languages to creoles. Test your understanding of how these factors shape communication across different cultures.
