Question:
Consider carefully the following data from four languages. Which deduction(s) can plausibly be made using the methods of comparative reconstruction?
Consider carefully the following data from four languages. Which deduction(s) can plausibly be made using the methods of comparative reconstruction?
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Comparative reconstruction relies on systematic sound correspondences in basic vocabulary, not on superficial similarities
Updated On: Dec 20, 2025
- Languages A and D are closely related.
- Language A is distantly related to Language C.
- Language D is distantly related to Language B.
- Languages A, B, C and D are all unrelated languages.
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The Correct Option is A, B
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Comparing Languages A and D.
Languages A and D show strong lexical similarities across several core vocabulary itemsFor example:
{due / doi} (two), {fratello / frate} (brother), {padre / pata} (father), {sette / sapte} (seven), and {dieci / zece} (ten)
These systematic similarities suggest a close genetic relationshipHence, option (A) is correct
Step 2: Comparing Language A and Language C.
While Language A and Language C share some cognates such as {padre / pathair} and {sette / seacht}, the phonological correspondences are less direct and more divergentThis indicates a more distant relationship rather than a close oneThus, option (B) is plausible
Step 3: Evaluating Language D and Language B.
Language B shows forms like {bi}, {zazpi}, {hamar}, and {elarri}, which differ substantially from Language D formsThere is insufficient systematic similarity to conclude a genetic relationship, but the data is not enough to assert distant relatedness conclusivelyTherefore, option (C) is not supported
Step 4: Evaluating overall unrelatedness.
Clear patterns of cognates across Languages A, C, and D show shared ancestryThis directly contradicts the claim that all four languages are unrelatedThus, option (D) is incorrect
Step 5: Final conclusion.
Using comparative reconstruction, we can plausibly conclude that Languages A and D are closely related, and that Language A is more distantly related to Language C
Languages A and D show strong lexical similarities across several core vocabulary itemsFor example:
{due / doi} (two), {fratello / frate} (brother), {padre / pata} (father), {sette / sapte} (seven), and {dieci / zece} (ten)
These systematic similarities suggest a close genetic relationshipHence, option (A) is correct
Step 2: Comparing Language A and Language C.
While Language A and Language C share some cognates such as {padre / pathair} and {sette / seacht}, the phonological correspondences are less direct and more divergentThis indicates a more distant relationship rather than a close oneThus, option (B) is plausible
Step 3: Evaluating Language D and Language B.
Language B shows forms like {bi}, {zazpi}, {hamar}, and {elarri}, which differ substantially from Language D formsThere is insufficient systematic similarity to conclude a genetic relationship, but the data is not enough to assert distant relatedness conclusivelyTherefore, option (C) is not supported
Step 4: Evaluating overall unrelatedness.
Clear patterns of cognates across Languages A, C, and D show shared ancestryThis directly contradicts the claim that all four languages are unrelatedThus, option (D) is incorrect
Step 5: Final conclusion.
Using comparative reconstruction, we can plausibly conclude that Languages A and D are closely related, and that Language A is more distantly related to Language C
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