131 Questions
What term is used to describe the newer varieties of English such as Pakistani English and Indian English?
New Englishes
Who first coined the term 'New Englishes' to describe the varieties of English developed in different countries?
Platt, Weber and Ho
What is the common medium for communication in areas where New Englishes exist alongside local languages?
English
Which language has more native speakers than English?
Mandarin Chinese
What aspects of language have New Englishes developed uniquely in different countries?
Lexis, pronunciation, and syntax
What raises questions about the future of English according to the text?
The variety of New Englishes
What did the linguistic experts at the British Library find about British English compared to American English?
British English is evolving faster than American English.
Which language is the lingua franca in the United States?
American English
What is suggested about the 'Southern drawl' accent in American English?
It resembles 17th-century English speech.
What did a study on British students’ written language reveal about their writing style?
They are increasingly copying American writing style.
Based on the text, why do American English and British English continue to be very distinct entities?
Pronunciation differences and speech patterns.
What was one of the everyday words mentioned in the text that many British English speakers refuse to use American pronunciations for?
'Garage'
What did the volunteers read aloud as part of the study conducted by the British Library?
'Mr Tickle'
Which statement best describes the influence of Americanisms on young Britons' writing?
'Trash can', 'sidewalk', and 'soda' are increasingly used by young Britons.
'She ate too much' vs. 'She has eaten too much' highlights a difference between which types of English?
British and American English
What view do some people hold about the future of the English language?
English will split into mutually incomprehensible languages, similar to what happened with Latin.
What brought about the Emergence of American English?
The migration of Puritans to the United States.
Which of the following did NOT contribute to the vocabulary of American English?
Words created by American businesses during the Industrial Revolution.
What helped shape American English in terms of vocabulary?
Interaction with Native American tribes.
Which factor played a significant role in American English evolving separately from British English?
Increasing economic dominance and global influence of the United States.
What impact did American English have on British English?
British English retained its own distinct features but incorporated some American vocabulary.
What role did immigrants play in shaping American English?
They introduced new words and expressions from all over the world.
Why did American businesses develop new terminology during their economic growth?
To adapt to the needs of large-scale capitalism and economic activities.
What is an essential reason that contributed to the dominance of American English globally?
The economic success and global influence of the United States.
In what way did settlers in America shape the vocabulary of American English?
By discarding irrelevant words and incorporating new terms related to their surroundings.
What term is commonly used to refer to fairy cakes in modern language?
Cupcake
Which author's work is mentioned as contributing to the increasing use of American vocabulary in the text?
Stephenie Meyer
What term is now often used to mean 'clever'?
Smart
What is mentioned as one of the influences on the increasing use of American vocabulary in the text?
Modern technology
Which organization cooperates globally to monitor the decline of native languages, as mentioned in the text?
UNESCO
What term is now often used to mean 'irritable', according to the text?
Cranky
Which term is described as becoming a more dominant language in the world at the expense of other languages?
English
What does the term 'linguistic imperialism' refer to in the context of the text?
'Death' of less dominant languages
'Atlas of the World’s Languages in Danger' is associated with which organization mentioned in the text?
'UNESCO'
'TESOL' stands for:
'Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages'
What impact did the increase in spending for BBC Gaelic language broadcasting services have?
Boosted the number of Gaelic speakers
What is a common factor that contributes to language death, as mentioned in the text?
The economic and social advantage offered by the dominant language
In what region was the Breton language perceived as inferior to French?
Brittany
What was a punitive measure imposed on children speaking Breon in Brittany to deter them from using their language?
Forced to wear a clog around their necks
What can happen over only a few generations if a minority language is not taught in schools or used in media?
Language shift leading to language death
In what way did the Māori language remain dominant in some areas of New Zealand for many years after English became prevalent in cities?
Due to less exposure to the dominant language in rural areas
'English as an Imperialist Language' refers to what concept?
'Killer language' theory
'Language shift' can occur when:
Younger people find it advantageous to speak both languages fluently
What did Anne Pakir first coin in 1991?
The term 'Killer Language'
Which country felt that multilingualism was detrimental to economic progress, leading to schooling taking place in English?
Papua New Guinea
What language form was considered the worst to speak in Papua New Guinea in the late 19th and early 20th centuries?
Local language (Tok Ples)
According to Suzanne Romaine, what was the perception of speaking English in Papua New Guinea in the late 19th and early 20th centuries?
Good
What is the main criticism related to TESOL when it comes to language imperialism?
Lack of sensitivity towards native languages
Which type of English style should learners expect to encounter more in TESOL programmes?
Regional varieties of English
In which country are English textbooks for primary schools specifically checked for cultural sensitivity?
Malaysia
What societal issue is faced in Jordan according to a report mentioned in the text?
Inadequate English Language skills
'New Englishes' refer to evolving varieties of English that have developed in different countries due to which factor?
'changing economic status'
'American English' is considered unifying for the nation because:
'it serves as a common language'
'Language use is associated with power' suggests that:
'ability to use language can influence influence and control'
What historical event has driven the spread and dominance of English according to the text?
'The British Industrial Revolution'
What is the main reason for the disappearance of approximately 50 to 70 Aboriginal Australian languages?
Introduction of new diseases by Europeans
What happened to the Aboriginal population on the island of Tasmania within 75 years?
They were hunted and wiped out
What percentage of the world's languages are spoken by 94 percent of the world's population?
6%
According to UNESCO, at what level of language endangerment are children no longer learning the language as a mother tongue in the home?
Definitely endangered
What act gave official recognition to Scottish Gaelic in 2005?
Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act
Where is Scottish Gaelic predominantly spoken today?
Rural areas of the Western Isles and Skye
What has happened to the interest in learning Scottish Gaelic in the past 50 years?
It has increased dramatically
Which level of language endangerment is characterized by the youngest speakers being grandparents and older generations?
Critically endangered
'What we lose is essentially an enormous cultural heritage' refers to the loss of:
'an indigenous language'
In what way would the Gaelic culture be affected if Gaelic were allowed to die out and give way to English?
It would die with it.
What term is used to describe the varieties of English that have developed in different countries through government administration, education, and media?
New Englishes
What is the common medium for communication in areas where New Englishes exist alongside local languages?
English
What have New Englishes developed uniquely in different countries?
Lexis, pronunciation, and syntax
Who first coined the term 'New Englishes' to describe the varieties of English developed in different countries?
Platt, Weber, and Ho
What term is used to describe the newer varieties of English such as Pakistani English and Indian English?
New Englishes
What language form was considered the worst to speak in Papua New Guinea in the late 19th and early 20th centuries?
Papua pidgin English
According to Suzanne Romaine, what was considered the worst option in terms of language in Papua New Guinea?
To speak Tok Ples (the local language)
What is the abbreviation TESOL stands for in the context of language teaching?
Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages
In Malaysia, what aspect of English books for primary schools is specifically checked for cultural sensitivity?
They are checked to make sure they take account of the local culture.
What movement in the USA seeks to ensure that all Americans speak American English?
Movement of Hispanic immigrants
What was the unifying language 1000 years ago that later fragmented into different languages like French, Italian, and Spanish?
Latin
What important aspect of language style should learners expect in TESOL programs?
Authenticity of language style
According to a 2016 UNESCO report, what should education policies recognize regarding language learning?
The importance of mother-tongue learning
What is perceived as one of the problems of English language education in Jordan according to a report?
Inadequacy of English Language skills
What did the linguistic experts at the British Library find about the difference between British English and American English?
British English has changed less
What may cause a change to the status of English as a world language in the future according to the text?
Changing economic status of non-native English-speaking countries
What impact did the increase in spending for BBC Gaelic language broadcasting services have?
It had a huge impact on the number of Gaelic speakers.
What role did immigrants play in shaping American English?
Immigrants introduced new words and expressions to American English.
What raises questions about the future of English according to the text?
The concept of English as an Imperialist Language raises questions about the future of English.
What did a study on British students’ written language reveal about their writing style?
The study revealed that British students tend to adopt American vocabulary in their writing.
What is the main reason for the disappearance of approximately 50 to 70 Aboriginal Australian languages?
The main reason is the lack of transmission to younger generations.
What is mentioned as one of the influences on the increasing use of American vocabulary in the text?
The influence of American TV shows and movies is mentioned.
What historical event has driven the spread and dominance of English according to the text?
Colonization by Britain and later Australia.
In what region was the Breton language perceived as inferior to French?
Breton language was perceived as inferior in Brittany.
What did Anne Pakir first coin in 1991?
Anne Pakir first coined the term 'killer language'.
What did the ruling elite in Papua New Guinea feel was detrimental to economic progress?
The ruling elite believed that multilingualism was bad for economic progress.
What did linguistic experts at the British Library find about the evolution of British English compared to American English?
British English is evolving at a faster rate than American English.
What did researchers at the British Library ask volunteers to read aloud as part of the study?
They were asked to read extracts from Mr Tickle, one of the series of Mr Men books by Roger Hargreaves.
What did a study on British students’ written language reveal about their writing style?
Their written work was increasingly using American words, exclamation marks, and references to celebrities.
What term is now often used to mean 'irritable', according to the text?
cranky
What was one of the everyday words mentioned in the text that many British English speakers refuse to use American pronunciations for?
schedule
What is the lingua franca in the United States?
American English
What is the distinctive accent in American English that is said to be closest to the speech in England at the time of the first migration?
Southern drawl
What does a study show about the influence of American English on British children's writing style?
It suggests that American English is increasing among school children.
What is suggested about the future of written English in relation to American English influence?
It will owe more to Hollywood films than to Dickens or Shakespeare.
What aspect of American English speech patterns is highlighted in comparison to British English according to the study?
American English remains very conservative and traditional in its speech patterns.
What are the five levels of language endangerment distinguished by UNESCO?
vulnerable, definitely endangered, severely endangered, critically endangered, extinct
What is the name of the Celtic language that was once predominant in Scotland?
Scottish Gaelic
How many native Gaelic speakers are estimated to be worldwide?
20,000 - 30,000
What act in 2005 gave official recognition to Scottish Gaelic?
The Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act
Where is Scottish Gaelic predominantly spoken today?
remote areas of the northern and western Highlands
How many languages are estimated to have been lost since 1500?
15 percent of 7000 languages
What is the estimated number of Aboriginal Australians killed or wiped out within 75 years on the island of Tasmania?
between 3000 and 4000
What percentage of the world's languages are spoken by 94 percent of the world's population?
Six percent
What specific cultural aspects die along with a language according to Charles Hagège?
songs, stories, legends, sayings
What has happened to the interest in learning Scottish Gaelic in the past 50 years?
resurgence of interest
How did the Puritans adapt their English language in America?
They discarded irrelevant words and incorporated new vocabulary related to their new lifestyle.
What impact did the settlers' interaction with Native Americans have on American English?
Words like 'raccoon', 'squash', and 'moose' were borrowed from Native American languages.
How did American English develop terminologies related to capitalism?
Businesses were concerned about terms like 'breakeven', 'bottom line', 'blue chip', and 'white collar'.
What were some examples of new words borrowed by American English from European languages?
Words like 'coleslaw', 'pretzels', and 'pizza' were borrowed from European languages.
How did American English establish itself as a global means of communication?
American English became the standard for global communication due to the dominance of the United States.
What distinguishes American English from British English despite their mutual understandability?
American and British English differ in lexis, phrasing, and pronunciation.
How is American English perceived in terms of setting standards for the English language?
Some argue that American English could become the variety that sets the standards for the English language.
What is the role of English in global economic success according to the text?
English is essential for individuals and groups to be part of the global economic success.
How have recent waves of immigrants contributed to the evolution of American English?
Recent immigrants have continued the borrowing of words into American English from their native languages.
What factors led to the establishment of American English as a global superpower in communication?
The economic dominance of America and the confident export of American English back to other English-speaking countries.
What term is used to describe the decline of a language when the people who speak it die out?
Language death
What concept refers to the dominance of one language over another, leading to control of a country's institutions?
Linguistic imperialism
What organization cooperates globally to monitor the decline of native languages?
United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
What term is used to describe the uploading of endangered languages to become part of UNESCO's 'Atlas of the World’s Languages in Danger'?
Interactive technology
What will likely dominate in the future as some languages decline?
Most widely spoken languages
What term did Robert Philipson introduce to modern linguistics, describing the dominance of one language over others?
Linguistic imperialism
What percentage of the world's languages are expected to still be spoken in one hundred years?
Less than ten percent
What is the term used for the spread of English contributing to the death of other languages?
Language imperialism
What was described as being under active surveillance by UNESCO's 'Atlas of the World’s Languages in Danger'?
Endangered languages
What term did Robert Philipson use to describe the decline and death of a language resulting in the impoverishment of the culture and its speakers?
Linguistic imperialism
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