LING 115 Midterm #1 WITH CORRECT
ANSWERS 100% 2026
mutual intelligibility hypothesis - Correct Answers if speakers can understand each other, they
speak different varieties of the same language
idiolect - Correct Answers the unique way each individual speaks his or her language
counterexamples to mutual intelligibility hypothesis - Correct Answers 1. mandarin vs.
cantonese etc (China): varieties of same language but not mut. intell.
2. Hindu (India) vs. Urdu (Pakistan): mut. intell. but different languages
definition of positive/negative factors - Correct Answers factors that make a variety a
separate/not a separate language
how does a dialect become a language?
aka positive factors of a language - Correct Answers 1. selection (natural or deliberate)
2. standardization (dictionaries, grammar, etc.)
3. historicity (attachment to language)
4. autonomy (language makes distinguishes a group)
example of a negative factor of a language - Correct Answers language is a mix of other
languages (pidgin/creole)
Pidgin and Creole languages - Correct Answers mixtures of two or more languages, makes
speakers feel like language is less of an independent language
dialect - Correct Answers a variety which is not recognized as a distinct language, but which is
related to other varieties which together make up a single language
, properties of dialects - Correct Answers 1. has a root language
2. often associated with certain region/area
3. dialects of a singular language are mutually intelligible (but not always true in real world)
4. linguistic differences (accent, grammar, vocab) among a set of dialects
isogloss - Correct Answers a geographic boundary within which a particular linguistic feature
occurs
dialect continuum - Correct Answers merging of dialects in a geographic region with no very
clear boundaries
examples of non-regional dialects - Correct Answers 1. religious group (baghdad-muslim, jewish,
christian varieties of Arabic)
2. social group (india-caste system)
3. ethnic group (african american vernacular english)
linguistic orphans/isolates - Correct Answers languages you can't clearly relate to a root
examples of linguistic orphans/isolates - Correct Answers japanese, basque
style - Correct Answers different ways of speaking
register - Correct Answers type of speech which is used specifically for a certain job or task (ex:
auctioneer or sports commentator)
ANSWERS 100% 2026
mutual intelligibility hypothesis - Correct Answers if speakers can understand each other, they
speak different varieties of the same language
idiolect - Correct Answers the unique way each individual speaks his or her language
counterexamples to mutual intelligibility hypothesis - Correct Answers 1. mandarin vs.
cantonese etc (China): varieties of same language but not mut. intell.
2. Hindu (India) vs. Urdu (Pakistan): mut. intell. but different languages
definition of positive/negative factors - Correct Answers factors that make a variety a
separate/not a separate language
how does a dialect become a language?
aka positive factors of a language - Correct Answers 1. selection (natural or deliberate)
2. standardization (dictionaries, grammar, etc.)
3. historicity (attachment to language)
4. autonomy (language makes distinguishes a group)
example of a negative factor of a language - Correct Answers language is a mix of other
languages (pidgin/creole)
Pidgin and Creole languages - Correct Answers mixtures of two or more languages, makes
speakers feel like language is less of an independent language
dialect - Correct Answers a variety which is not recognized as a distinct language, but which is
related to other varieties which together make up a single language
, properties of dialects - Correct Answers 1. has a root language
2. often associated with certain region/area
3. dialects of a singular language are mutually intelligible (but not always true in real world)
4. linguistic differences (accent, grammar, vocab) among a set of dialects
isogloss - Correct Answers a geographic boundary within which a particular linguistic feature
occurs
dialect continuum - Correct Answers merging of dialects in a geographic region with no very
clear boundaries
examples of non-regional dialects - Correct Answers 1. religious group (baghdad-muslim, jewish,
christian varieties of Arabic)
2. social group (india-caste system)
3. ethnic group (african american vernacular english)
linguistic orphans/isolates - Correct Answers languages you can't clearly relate to a root
examples of linguistic orphans/isolates - Correct Answers japanese, basque
style - Correct Answers different ways of speaking
register - Correct Answers type of speech which is used specifically for a certain job or task (ex:
auctioneer or sports commentator)
