ENG1502 ASSIGNMENT
1 SEMESTER 1
ANSWERS 2026
ENG1502 ASSIGNMENT 1 SEMESTER 1
ANSWERS 2026
, ENG1502 ASSIGNMENT 1
Opens: 02 March 2026
Due date: 16 April 2026
Question 1
1.1 FALSE. Reason: There is no single set of rules that applies to all languages;
each language has its own rules across phonology, morphology, syntax, etc.
Orthography is a separate dimension (writing system) and is not what “language as a
system of rules” universally excludes.
1.2 FALSE. Reason: The study of physiological qualities of speech sounds is
phonetics; phonology is about the abstract sound system and its patterns in a
language.
1.3 FALSE. Reason: Understanding that blackboard is a compound formed from two
words is a matter of morphology/lexical semantics (word formation), not syntax,
which concerns sentence structure.
1.4 FALSE. Reason: Pragmatics deals with meaning in context, intended meaning,
and how language is used; semantics is about the literal meaning of words.
1.5 TRUE. Reason: In South Africa, multilingualism and multiculturalism have
produced multiple English varieties (e.g., South African English, Indian English, etc.),
reflecting linguistic and cultural diversity.
Question 2
2.1 Agree or disagree with Pinker’s claim based on your home-language learning.
Provide two reasons.
- Reason 1: Language acquisition in children occurs rapidly and with little formal
instruction (immersion in spoken language), suggesting an innate capacity to acquire
language.
- Reason 2: Children across cultures reach similar developmental milestones
(babbling, one-word, two-word stages) in similar timeframes, indicating built-in
cognitive predispositions for language learning.
1 SEMESTER 1
ANSWERS 2026
ENG1502 ASSIGNMENT 1 SEMESTER 1
ANSWERS 2026
, ENG1502 ASSIGNMENT 1
Opens: 02 March 2026
Due date: 16 April 2026
Question 1
1.1 FALSE. Reason: There is no single set of rules that applies to all languages;
each language has its own rules across phonology, morphology, syntax, etc.
Orthography is a separate dimension (writing system) and is not what “language as a
system of rules” universally excludes.
1.2 FALSE. Reason: The study of physiological qualities of speech sounds is
phonetics; phonology is about the abstract sound system and its patterns in a
language.
1.3 FALSE. Reason: Understanding that blackboard is a compound formed from two
words is a matter of morphology/lexical semantics (word formation), not syntax,
which concerns sentence structure.
1.4 FALSE. Reason: Pragmatics deals with meaning in context, intended meaning,
and how language is used; semantics is about the literal meaning of words.
1.5 TRUE. Reason: In South Africa, multilingualism and multiculturalism have
produced multiple English varieties (e.g., South African English, Indian English, etc.),
reflecting linguistic and cultural diversity.
Question 2
2.1 Agree or disagree with Pinker’s claim based on your home-language learning.
Provide two reasons.
- Reason 1: Language acquisition in children occurs rapidly and with little formal
instruction (immersion in spoken language), suggesting an innate capacity to acquire
language.
- Reason 2: Children across cultures reach similar developmental milestones
(babbling, one-word, two-word stages) in similar timeframes, indicating built-in
cognitive predispositions for language learning.
