Understanding the Relatedness Hypothesis
The Relatedness Hypothesis in linguistics proposes that observed similarities between languages are not coincidental.
Reasoning for Correct Answer
- The hypothesis suggests that numerous similarities, such as shared vocabulary (cognates), grammatical structures, and sound patterns, between languages are strong evidence that these languages evolved from a single, earlier language.
- This common ancestor is referred to as a proto-language or common ancestral language.
- Therefore, linguistic similarities indicate genetic relationship, meaning the languages are related through descent from a shared source.
Analysis of Options
- Option 1: derive from a common ancestral language - This aligns directly with the definition of the Relatedness Hypothesis. Similarities are explained by common descent.
- Option 2: share the entire lexicon - While related languages share significant vocabulary (lexicon), they rarely share the *entire* lexicon, especially after divergence. This option is too absolute.
- Option 3: share the entire phonological system - Similar to lexicon, phonological systems change over time. Related languages may share many sound correspondences but rarely maintain identical systems entirely.
- Option 4: are dialects of a single language - Dialects are typically variations within a single language that are mutually intelligible. The Relatedness Hypothesis applies to languages that may be distinct but trace back to a common ancestor, often predating their current status as separate languages. They might have once been dialects but have diverged significantly.
The core idea of the Relatedness Hypothesis is common origin, best represented by derivation from a common ancestral language.
Important Questions from Inference
- Language X is in vigorous use, with literature in a standardized form being used by some, though this is not yet widespread or sustainable. Based on the EGIDS scale by Lewis and Simons 2010, what is the status of the language X?
- The Chāndogya Upaniṣad gives the mahāvākya – Tat tvam asi (Ch. Upa. 6:8:7), ‘That you are.' In this ‘great statement' what does “tat” (“that”) stand for?
Thousands of years ago, some people began dairy farming. This coincided with a number of mutations in a particular gene that resulted in these people developing the ability to digest dairy milk.
Based on the given passage, which of the following can be inferred?The information contained in DNA is used to synthesize proteins that are necessary for the functioning of life. DNA is composed of four nucleotides: Adenine (A), Thymine (T), Cytosine (C), and Guanine (G). The information contained in DNA can then be thought of as a sequence of these four nucleotides: A, T, C, and G. DNA has coding and non-coding regions. Coding regions—where the sequence of these nucleotides are read in groups of three to produce individual amino acids—constitute only about 2% of human DNA. For example, the triplet of nucleotides CCG codes for the amino acid glycine, while the triplet GGA codes for the amino acid proline. Multiple amino acids are then assembled to form a protein.
Based only on the information provided above, which of the following statements can be logically inferred with certainty?
(i) The majority of human DNA has no role in the synthesis of proteins.
(ii) The function of about 98% of human DNA is not understood.The World Bank has declared that it does not plan to offer new financing to Sri Lanka, which is battling its worst economic crisis in decades, until the country has an adequate macroeconomic policy framework in place. In a statement, the World Bank said Sri Lanka needed to adopt structural reforms that focus on economic stabilisation and tackle the root causes of its crisis. The latter has starved it of foreign exchange and led to shortages of food, fuel, and medicines. The bank is repurposing resources under existing loans to help alleviate shortages of essential items such as medicine, cooking gas, fertiliser, meals for children, and cash for vulnerable households.
Based only on the above passage, which one of the following statements can be inferred with certainty?
