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Language Variation
Test your English skills in this quiz.

Language Variation

Language variation describes the many different ways we use the English language. Sometimes it seems as if we are chameleons, changing our tone, register, level of formality and choice of vocabulary according to the situation. Sometimes people even change their accent or dialect in order to avoid being judged negatively by others.

See how well you know the technical terms used to describe language variation by trying this challenging quiz.

1.
Highly-informal language which can include elements of jargon, neologism and colloquialism.
Standard English
American English
Slang
Sociolect
2.
A word which would only be used in an informal, familiar context is described as a...
metaphor
colloquialism
ellipsis
contraction
Colloquialisms can be used for effect when a speaker wishes to create a sense of informality or familiarity with an audience
3.
A language variety chosen to suit the audience is known as...
accent
dialect
persuasion
register
4.
Specialist language which is not usually understood by those who are not members of the group using it.
Jargon
Technicalities
Received pronunciation
Idiolect
'Jargon' can be used in a biased sense to imply that the members of a group use certain words in order to exclude those who are not members. 'Specialist vocabulary' is a more neutral term - all groups have a specialist vocabulary in order to discuss ideas and activities which are of importance to the group. Parents belonging to a toddler group have their own specialist vocabulary; human rights activists have a very different specialist vocabulary
5.
The particular version of a language used by those who are members of a large group (i.e. inhabitants of the same geographical region or members of the same socio-economic class).
Idiolect
Dialect
Slang
Accent
Dialect includes accent along with variations in grammar and vocabulary
6.
What is the term used for an individual's unique pattern of speech?
Idiom
Jargon
Dialect
Idiolect
An idiolect is an individual's own manner of speaking, including vocabulary, accent and grammar. 'Idiolect' tends to be mentioned when an individual's speech shows striking differences compared to that of others (Ned Flanders, from The Simpsons, for example, has a noticeable idiolect)
7.
The particular way a language is pronounced by an individual or a group is known as...
idiom
dialect
slang
accent
8.
Whether you are speaking or writing, this will determine the language variety which you employ.
Audience
Context
Subject
All of the above
9.
A freshly-coined word or phrase is known as a...
cliché
imported word
neologism
received term
'Neo-' means 'new' and 'log-' means 'word'. New words continuously join the English language
10.
The dialect of English which is agreed by the majority of native speakers as 'correct' is known as...
everyday English
official English
standard English
poetic English
You can find more about this topic by visiting BBC Bitesize - Voice

Author:  Sheri Smith

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