While Researching a Language That Linguists Have Not Catalogued Before

question 38

Multiple Choice

While researching a language that linguists have not catalogued before, you discover that there are very strong accents within it. In a paper presenting a hypothesis about the origin of the accents, you use Bill Labov's research in the United States to corroborate your hypothesis. Your hypothesis is most likely:

• A) The inherited physical traits of each group's vocal tracts lead them to produce slightly different sounds, giving them an accent.
• B) When people move into a new area, they develop an accent that propagates better in that environment, based on its acoustic features.
• C) Identifying with an esteemed, yet otherwise threatened, subset of the population can motivate speakers to signal that identity by an accent.
• D) Subsets of a population that value education less will acquire an accent out of sloppiness.

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Definitions:

Southwestern Boom States

Refers to U.S. states such as Arizona, Texas, and New Mexico, characterized by rapid population growth and economic expansion, particularly in the late 20th and early 21st centuries.

Institution Of Slavery

A legally or socially sanctioned system in which individuals are owned by others, deprived of personal freedom, and compelled to perform labor or services.

Nature Prescribed

A concept suggesting that certain roles, behaviors, or practices are determined or influenced by natural characteristics or inherent tendencies.

Necessary Evil

Something undesirable but considered unavoidable or essential to achieve a desired outcome or to prevent a worse scenario.