Question

From the passage, we can infer that the author is in favour of:

• A. “language shifts” across languages.
• B. cultural homogenisation.
• C. greater multilingualism.
• D. an expanded state role in the preservation of languages
• A. efforts to integrate Welsh speakers in the English-speaking fold have been fruitless.
• B. languages can revive even after their speakers have gone through a “language shift”.
• C. vulnerable languages can rebound with state effort.
• D. while often pilloried, globalisation can, in fact, support linguistic revival.
• A. governments promoting certain languages over others.
• B. a catastrophic event that entirely eliminates a people and their culture.
• C. people shifting away from their own language to study or work in another language.
• D. the focus on only a few languages as a result of widespread internet use.
• A. they are repositories of traditional knowledge about the environment and culture.
• B. people are increasingly working on documenting these languages.
• C. they are in danger of being wiped out as most can only be transmitted orally.
• D. their vocabulary and grammatical constructs have been challenging to document.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

The passage discusses the vulnerability of languages, especially oral ones, due to various factors such as war, famine, and the abandonment by speakers in favor of other languages. It mentions the role of globalization, both as a threat and an opportunity for language preservation. The author also highlights how globalization, through technology, can aid in preserving linguistic diversity, contrasting with the monolingual mindset prevalent in the West. Ultimately, the passage suggests that multilingualism is beneficial for a connected and interdependent world and that technology can be a tool to support this linguistic richness.

From this analysis, it is evident that the author argues in favor of greater multilingualism. They emphasize the advantages of multilingualism and criticize the monolingual mindset. The passage underscores the potential positive impact of globalization and technology in supporting multilingualism.

Hence, the correct inference from the passage is that the author is in favor of greater multilingualism.

Answer 2

The correct answer to the question of what the author implies by mentioning the Welsh language is that languages can revive even after their speakers have gone through a “language shift.” Let's break down the passage to understand why this is the right answer:

• The passage discusses the fragility of oral languages and the factors contributing to their decline, such as "language shift," where a community abandons their native language for another. Despite this, the author points out that Welsh has "rebounded with vigor," indicating a successful revival.
• The passage suggests that despite Welsh being "stigmatized and disparaged," efforts led to its revitalization. This aligns with the suggested answer that languages can survive and even thrive after experiencing a shift.
• While the passage acknowledges globalization's role in linguistic decline, it also highlights its potential benefits, such as utilizing digital media to support linguistic documentation and revitalization.
• The option regarding globalization is further detailed in the passage as a process that can aid in language preservation rather than strictly endangering it.

Therefore, the sentiment that Welsh's revival is possible even after a language shift succinctly captures the essence of the context provided in the passage, leading us to choose the correct option.

Answer 3

To identify which option is not a reason for the decline or disappearance of a language as mentioned in the passage, we need to analyze the content given in the comprehension:

1. Governments promoting certain languages over others: The passage discusses state coercion or neglect, which could imply the promotion of certain languages over others, contributing to language decline.
2. A catastrophic event that entirely eliminates a people and their culture: The passage mentions war, famine, and natural disasters that can destroy whole communities, thereby eliminating their language.
3. People shifting away from their own language to study or work in another language: This is directly referred to as "language shift," where speakers abandon their language for economic and educational reasons.
4. The focus on only a few languages as a result of widespread internet use: The passage speaks positively about using digital media and globalization as a means of preserving linguistic diversity, not as a threat.

The correct answer is: the focus on only a few languages as a result of widespread internet use.

Answer 4

The passage discusses the current state and future of indigenous languages, highlighting several key points:

1. Orality and Vulnerability: Many of the world's languages are orally transmitted, which makes them vulnerable as there is no established written form. Indigenous languages are repositories of cultural and environmental knowledge and are at risk when speakers pass away, taking this knowledge with them.
2. Documentation Efforts: The passage notes an increasing involvement in documenting these languages, implying that there are concerted efforts, possibly in print and digital forms, to preserve them.
3. Endangerment and Language Shift: Indigenous languages face extinction due to both external disruptions and a voluntary or coerced shift to more dominant languages. This shift results in a language being abandoned as speakers opt for languages with economic or educational advantages.
4. Role of Globalization and Technology: While globalization is often seen as a threat, the passage suggests it also offers opportunities. Digital media and internet technology are important tools for preserving and revitalizing languages by enabling communities to maintain cultural practices.
5. Monolingualism as a Concern: The passage argues that monolingualism, prevalent in major economies and often carrying an implied superiority over multilingualism, is a larger threat than globalization to language diversity.

The only statement not supported by the passage is the option that suggests vocabulary and grammatical constructs of indigenous languages have been challenging to document. Instead, the document mentions efforts in their preservation through new media rather than difficulty in documentation itself. Therefore, the inference that "their vocabulary and grammatical constructs have been challenging to document" is the correct choice for the "EXCEPT" question.