Geography · Social Science

Asian Language Families

1,615 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

Which Tibeto-Burman language is spoken in the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh?

  1. Burmese

  2. Tibetan

  3. Nepali

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

Adi is a Tibeto-Burman language spoken by the Adi people of Arunachal Pradesh, India.

Multiple choice

What is the linguistic feature that contributes to the tonal diversity in Tibeto-Burman languages?

  1. Glottalization

  2. Aspiration

  3. Palatalization

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

Glottalization, which involves the abrupt closure of the vocal cords, is a common feature in Tibeto-Burman languages and contributes to their tonal diversity.

Multiple choice

Which Tibeto-Burman language is spoken in the Indian state of Sikkim?

  1. Burmese

  2. Tibetan

  3. Nepali

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

Lepcha is a Tibeto-Burman language spoken by the Lepcha people of Sikkim, India.

Multiple choice

What is the linguistic feature that distinguishes Tibeto-Burman languages from Indo-European languages?

  1. Subject-Verb-Object Word Order

  2. Agglutinative Morphology

  3. Tonal System

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

Tibeto-Burman languages typically follow a Subject-Verb-Object word order, unlike many Indo-European languages that have Subject-Object-Verb word order.

Multiple choice

Which Tibeto-Burman language is spoken in the Indian state of Nagaland?

  1. Burmese

  2. Tibetan

  3. Nepali

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

Ao is a Tibeto-Burman language spoken by the Ao Naga people of Nagaland, India.

Multiple choice

What is the status of Dhivehi in the Minicoy Islands?

  1. Official language

  2. Regional language

  3. Minority language

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

Dhivehi is the official language of the Minicoy Islands and is recognized by the government as such.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is not an Austroasiatic language?

  1. Khmer

  2. Vietnamese

  3. Thai

  4. Mon
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Thai is a Tai-Kadai language, not an Austroasiatic language.

Multiple choice

What is the most widely spoken Austroasiatic language?

  1. Khmer

  2. Vietnamese

  3. Mon

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

Vietnamese is spoken by over 85 million people, making it the most widely spoken Austroasiatic language.

Multiple choice

What is the Proto-Austroasiatic word for 'water'?

  1. *ʔaːm

  2. *ʔaːw

  3. *ʔiːm

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

The Proto-Austroasiatic word for 'water' is reconstructed as *ʔaːm.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the Austroasiatic language spoken in the Nicobar Islands?

  1. Nicobarese

  2. Shompen

  3. Car Nicobarese

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

Nicobarese is the Austroasiatic language spoken in the Nicobar Islands.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the Austroasiatic language spoken in Cambodia?

  1. Khmer

  2. Mon

  3. Vietnamese

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

Khmer is the Austroasiatic language spoken in Cambodia.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the Austroasiatic language spoken in Vietnam?

  1. Khmer

  2. Mon

  3. Vietnamese

  4. Cham
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Vietnamese is the Austroasiatic language spoken in Vietnam.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the Austroasiatic language spoken in Laos?

  1. Khmer

  2. Mon

  3. Vietnamese

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

Khmu is the Austroasiatic language spoken in Laos.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the Austroasiatic language spoken in Thailand?

  1. Khmer

  2. Mon

  3. Vietnamese

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

Palaung is the Austroasiatic language spoken in Thailand.

Multiple choice

Which state has the most official languages that are Tibeto-Burman?

  1. Arunachal Pradesh

  2. Nagaland

  3. Mizoram

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

Arunachal Pradesh has 3 official languages, of which 2 are Tibeto-Burman.