ALLAMA IQBAL OPEN UNIVERSITY, ISLAMABAD

(Department of English Language and Applied Linguistics)

WARNING
1. PLAGIARISM OR HIRING OF GHOST WRITER(S) FOR SOLVING
THE ASSIGNMENT(S) WILL DEBAR THE STUDENT FROM AWARD
OF DEGREE/CERTIFICATE, IF FOUND AT ANY STAGE.
2. SUBMITTING ASSIGNMENT(S) BORROWED OR STOLEN FROM
OTHER(S) AS ONE’S OWN WILL BE PENALIZED AS DEFINED IN
“AIOU PLAGIARISM POLICY”.

Course: Introduction to Linguistics (9051)

Level: BS (English) Semester: Spring, 2020
Total Marks: 100

Pass Marks: 50
ASSIGNMENT No. 1
(Units: 1-5)
Q.1 The absence of evidence about the origin of language certainly hasn’t discouraged
speculation about it. Over the centuries, many theories have been put forward – and
just about all of them challenged, discounted, and often ridiculed. Explain. (20)

Q.2 Distinguish between the following concepts. (10)

o Phone and allophone
o Vowels and consonants
o Short and long vowels

Q.3 Fill in the following table with appropriate consonant sounds. (05)
Post-alveolar
Bilabial

Labiodental

Dental

Alveolar

Palato-alveolar

Palatal

Velar

glottal

Plosive
Fricative
Affricate
Nasal
Lateral
Frictionless

1
 Continuant

Q.4 There are two categories of affixes: derivational and inflectional. Explain the
subcategories of both with the help of examples. (20)

Q.5 All English words can be classified as belonging to a “closed class” or an “open
class.” Explain with examples. (20)

Q.6 Write short notes on the following: (20)

o Denotative meaning
o Connotative meaning
o Social meaning
o Thematic meaning

ASSIGNMENT No. 2
Total Marks: 100

Pass Marks: 50

Q.1 When we speak or write we often refer to things that were mentioned earlier,
haven’t been mentioned yet, or were mentioned in another context or at another
time. Explain. (20)

Q.2 Define the term discourse analysis. Differentiate between cohesion and coherence.
You can have cohesion without coherence but you cannot have coherence without
cohesion. Explain. (20)

Q.3 What are the most important differences between learning a first language and
learning a language in the classroom? Describe the most crucial issues involved in
relation to how languages are acquired and/or learned. (20)

Q.4 Do you wonder why each of your students chooses a particular style for their oral
or written discourse? There are a few factors that can determine the language
variation a student adopts. Explain the factors that cause language variations. (20)

Q.5 Write short notes on the following: (20)

o Dialect
o Register
o Style
o Idiolect