Geography ยท General Awareness

World Languages and Geography

2,195 Questions

World languages and geography explore the distribution of major language families, official languages, and native speakers across different continents. The questions cover linguistic demographics in Africa, Europe, and the Americas. This topic is frequently asked in UPSC, SSC, and State PSC general studies papers.

Official languagesLanguage familiesWidely spoken languagesRegional languagesLinguistic geography

World Languages and Geography Questions

Multiple choice

What is the traditional language of a haiku?

  1. Japanese

  2. Chinese

  3. Korean
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The traditional language of a haiku is Japanese.

Multiple choice

What was the main language of the Safavid Empire?

  1. Persian

  2. Arabic

  3. Turkish

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

Persian was the main language of the Safavid Empire.

Multiple choice

What is the primary language of instruction in most schools around the world?

  1. English

  2. Mandarin

  3. Spanish

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

English is the most widely used language of instruction in schools around the world, followed by Mandarin, Spanish, and Hindi.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is an example of a tonal language?

  1. English

  2. Mandarin Chinese

  3. Inuktitut

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

Mandarin Chinese is an example of a tonal language, which means that the pitch of the voice can change the meaning of a word.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is an example of a head-marking language?

  1. English

  2. Mandarin Chinese

  3. Inuktitut

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

English is an example of a head-marking language, which means that the head of a phrase or clause typically comes before its dependents.

Multiple choice

Which language is commonly employed in ADB's Gender and Development projects in Indonesia?

  1. Bahasa Indonesia

  2. Javanese

  3. Sundanese

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

Bahasa Indonesia is the official language of Indonesia and is widely used in ADB's Gender and Development projects to facilitate communication and collaboration with stakeholders.

Multiple choice

Which of the following languages is the most widely used non-official language in the ADB?

  1. Hindi

  2. Japanese

  3. Korean

  4. Indonesian

  5. Thai
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Hindi is the most widely used non-official language in the ADB, followed by Japanese, Korean, Indonesian, and Thai.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is NOT a type of sign language?

  1. American Sign Language (ASL)

  2. British Sign Language (BSL)

  3. International Sign Language (ISL)

  4. Signed Exact English (SEE)
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Signed Exact English (SEE) is a manual system that follows the grammar and syntax of spoken English, rather than being a true sign language.

Multiple choice

Which sign language is used in the majority of deaf communities worldwide?

  1. American Sign Language (ASL)

  2. British Sign Language (BSL)

  3. International Sign Language (ISL)

  4. Chinese Sign Language (CSL)
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

International Sign Language (ISL) is a constructed sign language designed for communication among deaf people from different linguistic backgrounds.

Multiple choice

Which sign language is used in the majority of deaf communities in Africa?

  1. American Sign Language (ASL)

  2. British Sign Language (BSL)

  3. International Sign Language (ISL)

  4. South African Sign Language (SASL)
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

South African Sign Language (SASL) is the primary sign language used in the majority of deaf communities in Africa.

Multiple choice

Which sign language is used in the majority of deaf communities in Asia?

  1. American Sign Language (ASL)

  2. British Sign Language (BSL)

  3. International Sign Language (ISL)

  4. Chinese Sign Language (CSL)
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Chinese Sign Language (CSL) is the primary sign language used in the majority of deaf communities in Asia.

Multiple choice

Which sign language is used in the majority of deaf communities in Europe?

  1. American Sign Language (ASL)

  2. British Sign Language (BSL)

  3. International Sign Language (ISL)

  4. French Sign Language (LSF)
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

British Sign Language (BSL) is the primary sign language used in the majority of deaf communities in Europe.

Multiple choice

Which classical language experienced a significant revival in the 19th century?

  1. Sanskrit

  2. Latin

  3. Greek

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

Sanskrit, the ancient language of India, underwent a revival movement in the 19th century, led by scholars and reformers who sought to restore its significance in Indian culture and education.

Multiple choice

Which classical language was revived as a literary and cultural language in Norway in the 19th century?

  1. Old Norse

  2. Latin

  3. Greek

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

In the 19th century, Norway experienced a revival of Old Norse, the language of the Vikings, as a literary and cultural language, leading to the creation of new works inspired by Norse mythology and history.

Multiple choice

Which classical language was revived as a spoken language in Israel in the 20th century?

  1. Aramaic

  2. Hebrew

  3. Greek

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

In the 20th century, Hebrew, the ancient language of the Israelites, was revived as a spoken language in Israel, becoming the official language of the modern state.