Question

Assuming a language has 5 basic colour terms, which one of the following options is predicted by language universals?

• A. white, black, red, green, blue
• B. white, black, red, green, yellow
• C. white, black, red, orange, blue
• D. white, black, red, green, brown

Hint:

Berlin and Kay's research indicates that languages acquire colour terms in a universal order. At the 5-colour stage, both green and yellow appear, but blue comes later.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1: Referencing Berlin and Kay's hierarchy of basic colour term evolution. 
According to Berlin and Kay (1969), languages tend to acquire basic colour terms in a specific order: \[ {white} \rightarrow {black} \rightarrow {red} \rightarrow {green or yellow} \rightarrow {blue} \rightarrow {brown} \rightarrow {others} \] Step 2: Interpreting the five-colour stage. 
At the 5-term stage, languages are predicted to have: \[ {white, black, red, green, yellow} \] Note that green and yellow are treated as alternatives or additions at this stage before blue enters. 
Step 3: Evaluating options. 
Only option (B) includes the correct five terms expected in the five-term stage, according to the sequence of universals.