Engl 312: Comparative And Historical Linguistics Question Paper
Engl 312: Comparative And Historical Linguistics
Course:Bachelor Of Education Arts
Institution: Chuka University question papers
Exam Year:2013
CHUKA
UNIVERSITY
UNIVERSITY EXAMINATIONS
THIRD YEAR EXAMINATION FOR THE AWARD OF DEGREE OF
BACHELOR OF EDUCATION (ARTS)
ENGL 312: COMPARATIVE AND HISTORICAL LINGUISTICS
STREAMS: B.ED (ARTS) Y3S1/Y3S2 TIME: 2 HOURS
DAY/DATE: MONDAY 12/8/2013 11.30 A.M. – 1.30 P.M.
INSTRUCTIONS:
Answer THREE questions. Question ONE is compulsory.
(a) Differentiate between diachronic and synchronic study of language. [4 marks]
(b) What is comparative reconstruction? How does it differ from internal reconstruction? [6 marks]
(c) Study the following data and reconstruct the cognate sets showing how the proto-forms are derived. [20 marks]
Spanish Sardinian Italian French Romanian Gloss
riba ripa ripa riv rip? embarkment
kopa kuppa koppa kup kup? cup
gota gutta gotta gut gut? drop
(a) Discuss Four reasons why languages change. [8 marks]
(b) Explain the following concepts used in historical and comparative linguistics.
Language cognates and language isolates. [4 marks]
Family tree and wave model [4 marks]
Glottochronology and Lexicostatistics [4 marks]
Discuss the various types of languages according to the morphological typology using appropriate examples. [20 marks]
(a) Explain the following types of sound change laws: [8 marks]
Grimm’s law
Verner’s law
(b) Discuss how lexical change occurs in a language and illustrate your answers with at least two examples. [12 marks]
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