COM 102 MCQs

An English Creole in the Caribbean may be defined as a language

• with limited linguistic functions

• used by the poorest people in the society

• only understood by some persons in the society

• developed from the contact between Europeans and Africans

• A

• B

• C

• D

In which of the following expressions is the process of reduplication evident?

• Eye-water

• Step-sister

• A waa gwan

• Chaka-chaka house

Which of the following is an example of the use of language performing a social function?

• Praying silently

• Introducing oneself

• Reading a comic strip

• Making a journal entry

Which example of Creole structure is evident in the statement "Harry disappoint he bad"?

• Front focusing

• Serial verb construction

• Use of the double negative

• Subject pronoun in object position

Answer explanation

subject pronoun here is "he"

Why would Creole be the MOST appropriate choice of language in this scenario?

I. It is representative of the characters

II. The context is informal

III. The topic is informal

• I and II only

• I and III only

• II and III only

• I, II and III

Toolwa's use of non-verbal communication in the extract indicates that she is

• Inquisitive

• conscious

• indifferent

• considerate

Answer explanation

Inquisitive - curious about the affairs of others

Conscious - to be aware

Indifferent - unconcerned/ uninterested

considerate -showing careful thought

Which of the following features of Caribean Creole English is evident in the extract

• Calques

• Vowel

• Double negatives

• Zero copula use

Answer explanation

Calques – compound words borrowed from another language as literal translations e.g eye-water

Zero Copula - Omission of copula ‘to be’

e.g "I tired"

instead of "I am tired"

When Bryan accuses Paul of speaking "hoity toity" in line 3, Bryan is suggesting that Paul is using language to

• assert authority

• show sophistication

• make social commentary

• discriminate against others

Which of the following factors would affect dialectal varieties used by the various speakers in the scenario?

I. Audience

II. Occasion

III. Purpose

• I and II only

• I and III only

• II and III only

• I, II and III