Geography ยท Social Science

Asian Language Families

1,727 Questions

Asian Language Families covers the classification, distribution, and linguistic groups across Asia, including Tibeto-Burman, Austroasiatic, and tribal dialects. It tests understanding of regional demographics and cultural heritage. This topic frequently appears in UPSC Civil Services and State PSC general studies papers.

Tibeto Burman LanguagesAustroasiatic Language GroupTribal Languages of IndiaLinguistic Demographics of Asia

Asian Language Families Questions

Multiple choice

What is the current status of the Shompen languages?

  1. Extinct

  2. Critically Endangered

  3. Endangered

  4. Vulnerable
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Both Shompen and Great Andamanese are critically endangered languages, meaning that they are at risk of disappearing.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is not a major language family?

  1. Indo-European

  2. Afro-Asiatic

  3. Austronesian

  4. Sino-Tibetan
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Sino-Tibetan is not a major language family, but rather a group of languages spoken in East and Southeast Asia.

Multiple choice

Which of the following languages is not a member of the Sino-Tibetan language family?

  1. Mandarin

  2. Tibetan

  3. Burmese

  4. Nepali
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Nepali is an Indo-Aryan language, while Mandarin, Tibetan, and Burmese are all members of the Sino-Tibetan language family.

Multiple choice

Which Central Indian language has been influenced by Tibetan and Burmese languages, resulting in a unique blend of linguistic features from different language families?

  1. Mundari

  2. Kurukh

  3. Malto

  4. Santali
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Kurukh, spoken by the Oraon people, has been influenced by Tibetan and Burmese languages, leading to a distinct blend of linguistic features from various language families.

Multiple choice

Which project focuses on documenting and preserving the languages of Southeast Asia?

  1. SEAlang Library

  2. Austronesian Language Documentation Project

  3. Asia-Pacific Languages Documentation Project

  4. None of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The 'SEAlang Library' is a digital archive dedicated to documenting and preserving the languages of Southeast Asia, providing access to audio and video recordings, grammatical descriptions, and other relevant materials.

Multiple choice

Which language family is spoken by the largest number of people in Asia?

  1. Sino-Tibetan

  2. Indo-European

  3. Austroasiatic

  4. Tai-Kadai
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The Sino-Tibetan language family is spoken by the largest number of people in Asia, with over 1.2 billion speakers.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the language spoken by the Meitei people of Manipur?

  1. Manipuri

  2. Naga

  3. Kuki

  4. Mizo
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Manipuri, also known as Meiteilon, is the official language of Manipur and is spoken by approximately 50% of the population.

Multiple choice

Which language is spoken by the Naga people of Nagaland?

  1. Naga

  2. Ao

  3. Angami

  4. Sema
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Naga is a collective term for a group of related languages spoken by the Naga people of Nagaland. There are approximately 30 different Naga languages, each with its own distinct dialect.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the language spoken by the Mizo people of Mizoram?

  1. Mizo

  2. Lushai

  3. Kuki

  4. Chin
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Mizo, also known as Lushai, is the official language of Mizoram and is spoken by approximately 80% of the population.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the language spoken by the Bhoi people of Meghalaya?

  1. Bhoi

  2. War

  3. Lyngngam

  4. Maram
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Bhoi is spoken by approximately 200,000 people in Meghalaya.

Multiple choice

Which language is spoken by the War people of Meghalaya?

  1. War

  2. Lyngngam

  3. Maram

  4. Nocte
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

War is spoken by approximately 100,000 people in Meghalaya.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the language spoken by the Lyngngam people of Meghalaya?

  1. Lyngngam

  2. Maram

  3. Nocte

  4. Tangsa
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Lyngngam is spoken by approximately 50,000 people in Meghalaya.

Multiple choice

Which language is spoken by the Maram people of Nagaland and Manipur?

  1. Maram

  2. Nocte

  3. Tangsa

  4. Chang
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Maram is spoken by approximately 100,000 people in Nagaland and Manipur.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the language spoken by the Nocte people of Arunachal Pradesh?

  1. Nocte

  2. Tangsa

  3. Chang

  4. Konyak
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Nocte is spoken by approximately 100,000 people in Arunachal Pradesh.

Multiple choice

Which language is spoken by the Tangsa people of Arunachal Pradesh?

  1. Tangsa

  2. Chang

  3. Konyak

  4. Phom
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Tangsa is spoken by approximately 100,000 people in Arunachal Pradesh.