Linguistic universals are

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BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

The prompt presents the idea that linguistic universals are a set of characteristics shared across human languages. This aligns with the standard definition in linguistics, where universals refer to features or tendencies that appear across many or all languages rather than being unique to a single language.

In evaluating the provided statement, we can unpack what is meant by 'a set of characteristics of all human languages that are the same or similar.' This captures the core concept of universals: they are cross-linguistic patterns or constraints that recur in different linguistic systems, suggesting common cognitive or communicative pressures across human languages.

A helpful clarification is that linguistic universals are often expressed as generalizations or tendencies rather than absolute invariants. Some languages may not exhibit every universal feature in every instance, and there can be language-specific exceptions. Nonetheless, the existence of universal patterns—such as symmetry in certain sentence structures, or constraints on possible phoneme inventories across languages—supports the idea that universals are characteristics that tend to be shared across languages.

Potential misconceptions to avoid include thinking universals are absolute laws that apply identically in every language without variation. In reality, universals describe broad cross-linguistic tendencies and constraints, not perfect sameness. Another pitfall is assuming universals describe a single feature in isolation; often universals are complex systems that involve multiple interacting properties (phonology, syntax, semantics, etc.).

Since the statement posits that linguistic universals are a set of characteristics shared across all human languages, and this reflects the foundational understanding of universals in linguistics, this description correctly conveys the intended concept. If students were differentiating between universals and language-specific features, this statement would help illustrate the general cross-language pattern rather than isolated, language-unique traits.

In sum, the idea that linguistic universals are characteristics common to all human languages captures the essence of universals as cross-language patterns, while remaining open to the nuance that not every language will exhibit every universal feature in every context.

ANT2000-25Summer AW60 Quiz 9

Linguistic universals are

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