LEC 6 - Geography of Language

Question 1

Language

Answer 1

A fundamental way that we distinguish between cultural groups
A expression of our beliefs & attitudes

Question 2

Do languages go extinct?

Answer 2

Yes, languages spoken by few people die off quickly

Question 3

Is loss of language a positive or negative thing?

Answer 3

Positive - Improved global communications
Negative - loss of culture

Question 4

Language suppression

Answer 4

How states engage in cultural assimilation of minority ethnic groups

Question 5

Language family

Answer 5

A group of closely related languages that likely share a common origin

Question 6

Language Family EX.

Answer 6

Indo-European & Sino-tibetan

Question 7

Language Branch

Answer 7

A sub-set of a language family and with a more recent origin
- Romance languages (French, Italian)
- Germanic languages (English, Dutch)

Question 8

Global language factors

Answer 8

Number of speakers
Spatial extent of language

Question 9

Why is English dominant c

Answer 9

• Primary working language
• Dominant in modern media
• Dominant language in internet