Regional and Social Dialects

How do social class dialects influence the way people communicate?

• They determine a person’s intelligence.

• They reflect a person’s social background and group identity.

• They prevent people from understanding each other.

• They only exist in English-speaking countries.

What is a key difference between U-speakers and Non-U speakers?

• U-speakers use more complex and polite words.

• Non-U speakers avoid using any borrowed words.

• Non-U speakers tend to use more “polite” or “fancy-sounding” words, while U-speakers keep their language simpler.

• There is no difference between them; it’s just a stereotype.

Which of the following is a characteristic of Brahmin Tamil?

• It avoids any influence from Sanskrit.

• It is more Dravidian-based than Non-Brahmin Tamil.

• It often includes an “-u” sound at the end of words (e.g., “coffee-u” instead of “coffee”).

• It sounds exactly the same as Non-Brahmin Tamil.

What is “H-dropping,” and where is it commonly found?

• It is when the letter “H” is not pronounced at the beginning of words, common in Cockney and some Northern English dialects.

• It is when people add an extra “H” to words, common in American English.

• It is a feature of Received Pronunciation where “H” is pronounced very strongly.

• It is a mistake that only children make when learning to speak.

Why are social class dialects becoming less distinct over time?

• Because people from different social classes interact more frequently.

• Because languages are becoming more difficult to learn.

• Because people are being forced to speak the same way.

• Because dialects are only influenced by regional differences, not social class.

Which of the following pronunciation differences is common in New Zealand English?

• Dad" sounds like "Dead”

• "Six" sounds like "Sucks"

• "Bad" sounds like "Bed"

• All of the above

Which vocabulary difference is CORRECT?

• British English: "Traffic light" → South African English: "Robot"

• British English: "Wellies" → New Zealand English: "Gummies"

• British English: "Boot" → American English: "Trunk"

• All of the above

Which grammar difference is found between American and British English?

• American: "Did you eat?" → British: "Have you eaten?"

• American: "She has gotten used to it." → British: "She’s got used to it."

• American: "Do you have a pen?" → British: "Have you got a pen?"

• All of the above

In which English dialect would you likely hear the phrase, "I might could do that"?

• Geordie (Newcastle, UK)

• Cockney (London, UK)

• Southern US English

• Both A and C

What is a "dialect chain"?

• A sequence of dialects where each is slightly different but neighboring dialects remain mutually intelligible

• A type of slang unique to a specific region

• The way social classes influence language use

• A strict border between two languages