Why Can We Not Use the Languages of Nonliterate Societies

question 55

Multiple Choice

Why can we not use the languages of nonliterate societies to learn about the origins of language?

• A) Their languages are not simpler or less developed than our own.
• B) Their written histories do not go far enough back in time.
• C) They were often developed more recently than written languages.
• D) Languages of nonliterate societies change too quickly to be any use for study.

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Definitions:

Troposphere

The troposphere is the lowest layer of Earth's atmosphere, where most weather phenomena occur, extending from the Earth's surface to about 8 to 15 kilometers above.

Stratosphere

The stratosphere is a layer of the Earth's atmosphere located above the troposphere, characterized by a slight temperature increase with altitude and the presence of the ozone layer.

Ozone

A molecule composed of three oxygen atoms, found in the Earth's stratosphere, where it plays a critical role in protecting living organisms from ultraviolet radiation.

Lichen

A symbiotic organism composed of a fungus and a photosynthetic partner, typically an alga or cyanobacterium, found on rocks, trees, and soil.