What is the quality of a language?

Appeared in: DSSSB - 29 August 2019 (Shift-1)

Explanation

A primary quality of a living language is its dynamism and ability to evolve, which includes borrowing words from other languages.
This process, known as linguistic borrowing, allows a language to express new concepts and adapt to cultural changes.
The presence of loanwords (e.g., 'shampoo' from Hindi, 'pizza' from Italian) in English is evidence of this natural and essential process.
Languages that do not borrow or adapt risk stagnation and may become obsolete over time.

Option A: This is a philosophical or personal directive and has no bearing on the linguistic properties or qualities of a language system.
Option B: This is the opposite of how living languages function. Linguistic isolation and a refusal to borrow words lead to stagnation, not vitality. Most major languages are rich with words from other tongues.
Option D: Similar to option A, this is a social or ethical principle, not a characteristic of language itself. It describes a behavior for people, not a quality of a linguistic system.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Characteristics of a living language as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Understanding that languages borrow from each other is crucial in a multicultural society. It fosters appreciation for linguistic diversity and the interconnectedness of cultures.
In a globalized world, effective communication often involves using and understanding terms that have been adopted from other languages, especially in fields like technology, cuisine, and science.
What if a language was completely 'pure' and never borrowed words? It would struggle to describe new inventions, concepts, or cultural phenomena from the outside world, limiting its expressive power and relevance.

How to Approach the Question

First, analyze the question to understand what it's asking. The question asks for a 'quality of a language'. This points towards an intrinsic characteristic of how languages work.
Evaluate each option against this understanding.
Options A ('To accept what Gandhi ji says') and D ('To listen to everyone') are about human behavior and philosophy, not linguistics. Eliminate them as irrelevant.
You are left with two opposing options: B ('Does not take words...') and C ('Takes words...').
Think about the languages you know, like English or Hindi. Can you think of words that came from other languages? (e.g., 'pizza', 'station'). This confirms that languages do borrow words.
Therefore, option C is the correct description of a quality of a living, evolving language.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Psychology Baron Misra 5e Part 1 p. 260-262

E6 Psychology Morgan King 9e Part 1 p. 265-267

Practise the full DSSSB - 29 August 2019 (Shift-1)

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.