ENG1502
Assignment 1 2026
Detailed Solutions, References & Explanations
Unique number:
Due Date: 16 April 2026
Question 1
1.1 False. There is not one universal set of rules for all languages, and orthography is part of
language study.
1.2 False. The study of speech sounds is phonetics, while phonology studies the sound
system of a language.
1.3 False. Understanding that blackboard is made up of two words belongs to morphology, not
syntax.
1.4 False. Pragmatics studies meaning in context, not just the meaning of words themselves.
1.5 True. South Africa’s multilingual and multicultural nature has led to different varieties of
English.
Terms of use
By making use of this document you agree to:
Use this document as a guide for learning, comparison and reference purpose,
Not to duplicate, reproduce and/or misrepresent the contents of this document as your own work,
Fully accept the consequences should you plagiarise or misuse this document.
Disclaimer
Extreme care has been used to create this document, however the contents are provided “as is” without
any representations or warranties, express or implied. The author assumes no liability as a result of
reliance and use of the contents of this document. This document is to be used for comparison, research
and reference purposes ONLY. No part of this document may be reproduced, resold or transmitted in any
form or by any means.
, +27 67 171 1739
Question 1
1.1 False. There is not one universal set of rules for all languages, and orthography
is part of language study.
1.2 False. The study of speech sounds is phonetics, while phonology studies the
sound system of a language.
1.3 False. Understanding that blackboard is made up of two words belongs to
morphology, not syntax.
1.4 False. Pragmatics studies meaning in context, not just the meaning of words
themselves.
1.5 True. South Africa’s multilingual and multicultural nature has led to different
varieties of English.
Question 2
2.1
Yes, I agree with Pinker’s idea that every person has a natural ability to learn a
language.
Firstly, when I learned my home language, nobody formally taught me grammar
rules. I picked up the language naturally by listening to people around me such as
family members. This shows that language learning happens in a natural way
without formal teaching.
Secondly, as a child I was able to understand and speak the language at a very
young age. This happened through daily interaction and exposure, not through
structured lessons. This supports the idea that humans are born with the ability to
learn language naturally.
2.2
Yes, I think Pinker’s idea also applies to bilingual and multilingual people.
Firstly, many people in South Africa grow up speaking more than one language
without formal instruction. They learn these languages through everyday
communication in different environments such as home, school, and community.
This shows that the natural ability to learn language can apply to more than one
language.
Disclaimer
Extreme care has been used to create this document, however the contents are provided “as is” without
any representations or warranties, express or implied. The author assumes no liability as a result of
reliance and use of the contents of this document. This document is to be used for comparison, research
and reference purposes ONLY. No part of this document may be reproduced, resold or transmitted in any
form or by any means.
Assignment 1 2026
Detailed Solutions, References & Explanations
Unique number:
Due Date: 16 April 2026
Question 1
1.1 False. There is not one universal set of rules for all languages, and orthography is part of
language study.
1.2 False. The study of speech sounds is phonetics, while phonology studies the sound
system of a language.
1.3 False. Understanding that blackboard is made up of two words belongs to morphology, not
syntax.
1.4 False. Pragmatics studies meaning in context, not just the meaning of words themselves.
1.5 True. South Africa’s multilingual and multicultural nature has led to different varieties of
English.
Terms of use
By making use of this document you agree to:
Use this document as a guide for learning, comparison and reference purpose,
Not to duplicate, reproduce and/or misrepresent the contents of this document as your own work,
Fully accept the consequences should you plagiarise or misuse this document.
Disclaimer
Extreme care has been used to create this document, however the contents are provided “as is” without
any representations or warranties, express or implied. The author assumes no liability as a result of
reliance and use of the contents of this document. This document is to be used for comparison, research
and reference purposes ONLY. No part of this document may be reproduced, resold or transmitted in any
form or by any means.
, +27 67 171 1739
Question 1
1.1 False. There is not one universal set of rules for all languages, and orthography
is part of language study.
1.2 False. The study of speech sounds is phonetics, while phonology studies the
sound system of a language.
1.3 False. Understanding that blackboard is made up of two words belongs to
morphology, not syntax.
1.4 False. Pragmatics studies meaning in context, not just the meaning of words
themselves.
1.5 True. South Africa’s multilingual and multicultural nature has led to different
varieties of English.
Question 2
2.1
Yes, I agree with Pinker’s idea that every person has a natural ability to learn a
language.
Firstly, when I learned my home language, nobody formally taught me grammar
rules. I picked up the language naturally by listening to people around me such as
family members. This shows that language learning happens in a natural way
without formal teaching.
Secondly, as a child I was able to understand and speak the language at a very
young age. This happened through daily interaction and exposure, not through
structured lessons. This supports the idea that humans are born with the ability to
learn language naturally.
2.2
Yes, I think Pinker’s idea also applies to bilingual and multilingual people.
Firstly, many people in South Africa grow up speaking more than one language
without formal instruction. They learn these languages through everyday
communication in different environments such as home, school, and community.
This shows that the natural ability to learn language can apply to more than one
language.
Disclaimer
Extreme care has been used to create this document, however the contents are provided “as is” without
any representations or warranties, express or implied. The author assumes no liability as a result of
reliance and use of the contents of this document. This document is to be used for comparison, research
and reference purposes ONLY. No part of this document may be reproduced, resold or transmitted in any
form or by any means.
