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Welcome to our blog, In this post, we’re sharing the IGNOU MEG 4 Solved Question Paper of June 2020 examination, focusing on Aspects of Language.
This guide is here to help you prepare for your exams with clear answers and explanations. Whether you’re just starting or revising for your exams, this resource will make studying easier and more effective.
In this post, we’ll discuss all the answers including the short and long answer questions.
You can also download all previous year question papers of MEG 4 from our website.
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Question 1
1. Write short notes on any too of the following :
(a) The Rising Tone and its functions
The rising tone in English intonation is characterized by the pitch of the voice rising at the end of an utterance. It is commonly used in yes/no questions (e.g., “Are you coming?”), incomplete statements, and to express uncertainty, politeness, or surprise. The rising tone signals that the speaker expects a response or is not finished speaking. It can also indicate openness or a desire for confirmation. For example, in a list (“I bought apples, oranges, and bananas?”), the rising tone on each item except the last shows continuation. Overall, the rising tone helps maintain interaction and indicates speaker attitude.
(b) Simple, Complex and Compound words
Simple, complex, and compound words are classifications based on word formation:
Simple words consist of a single root without any prefixes or suffixes.
Examples: book, run, chair.
Complex words are formed by adding prefixes or suffixes to a root word. They contain one root and one or more affixes.
Examples: unhappy (un + happy), running (run + ing).
Compound words are formed by combining two or more root words to create a new meaning.
Examples: toothpaste (tooth + paste), basketball (basket + ball).
Understanding these types helps in vocabulary development and word structure analysis, which are essential in both linguistic and literary studies.
(c) The process of Standardization
Standardization is the process through which a particular variety of a language is developed and accepted as the norm or standard for public, formal, and educational use.
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Question 2
2. Give an account of the salient features of Transformational Generative Grammar and how it was different from Bloornfield’s mode
Transformational Generative Grammar (TGG) is a linguistic theory introduced by Noam Chomsky in the 1950s as a response to structuralist approaches, particularly that of Leonard Bloomfield. TGG marks a major shift in linguistic thought, emphasizing the mental and creative aspects of language use rather than just observable speech patterns. It attempts to explain how human beings can produce and understand an infinite number of sentences using a limited set of grammatical rules.
Salient Features of Transformational Generative Grammar:
Competence vs. Performance:
Chomsky distinguished between competence (a speaker’s implicit knowledge of the language) and performance (actual language use). TGG focuses on competence, aiming to uncover the mental grammar that allows speakers to generate and understand sentences.
Deep Structure and Surface Structure:
TGG introduces the concepts of deep structure (the underlying syntactic structure of a sentence) and surface structure (the actual spoken or written form). Transformational rules convert deep structures into surface structures.
Example: “John is easy to please” and “John is eager to please” have similar surface structures but different deep structures.
Generative Aspect:
TGG is called “generative” because it provides a finite set of rules that can generate an infinite number of grammatical sentences. These rules reflect the innate linguistic ability of humans.
Transformational Rules:
These are rules that change one syntactic structure into another, such as turning a statement into a question.
Example: “She is going.” → “Is she going?”
Universality:
TGG suggests that all human languages share a common underlying structure known as universal grammar, which is biologically determined.
Difference from Bloomfield’s Model:
Bloomfield’s structuralist model was empirical and behaviourist. It focused only on observable data—the form, distribution, and arrangement of linguistic elements—while avoiding reference to meaning and mental processes. Bloomfieldians viewed language learning as habit formation and emphasized classification and segmentation of linguistic units through immediate constituent analysis.
In contrast, Chomsky’s TGG challenged this behaviourist view by asserting that language involves innate mental structures. It emphasized internal knowledge over observable behaviour, seeking to explain how humans understand and produce novel sentences they have never heard before.
Conclusion:
TGG revolutionized linguistic theory by shifting focus from surface forms and classification to the mental rules and structures that govern language use. Its emphasis on generativity, transformations, and universality marked a significant departure from Bloomfield’s more mechanical and behaviourist model.
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Question 3
3. “Do you think the extensive use of an L2, like English. in the Indian context leads to negative attitudes towards Indian languages.” Critically examine the statement.
The extensive use of English as a second language (L2) in India has undeniably shaped the linguistic and cultural landscape of the country. In a nation with immense linguistic diversity, English has served as a practical medium for communication across different regions and communities. It has played a significant role in education, administration, technology, and international relations, making it an important asset for mobility and global integration. However, the dominance of English in these spheres has raised concerns about its long-term effects on the status and vitality of Indian languages.
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Question 4
4. Attempt a detailed description of the vowels of English.
The vowel system of English is a complex and vital component of its phonological structure. Vowels are speech sounds produced without any significant obstruction in the vocal tract, unlike consonants. They are classified based on the position of the tongue, the shape of the lips, and whether they are short or long, monophthongs or diphthongs. Understanding vowels in English requires an examination of both pure vowels (monophthongs) and vowel glides (diphthongs).
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Question 5
5. Some people perform better than others in learning a second language. What are the explanations offered be second language learning research ?
Research in second language learning has consistently shown that some individuals perform better than others due to a combination of cognitive, affective, social, and contextual factors. Second language acquisition (SLA) is not a uniform process, and various explanations have been offered to account for differences in learner success.
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