Question

In some parts of the world, language is itself thought of as a social institution, often with political importance. Which of the following countries best exemplifies the above statement?

A. Australia
B. United States
C. France
D. Mexico
E. Switzerland

Answer 1

Switzerland is the best example among the provided options where language is a social institution with significant political importance due to its linguistic diversity, including German, French, Italian, and Romansh as official languages.

Step-by-step explanation:

Language is often considered a social institution, crucial to the identity and politics of a country. Among the options provided, Switzerland best exemplifies a nation where language holds significant social and political importance. Switzerland's linguistic landscape is incredibly diverse, with most Swiss speaking German, as well as substantial populations speaking French, Italian, and the officially recognized Romansh language, despite its small number of speakers.

In Switzerland, language is more than just a means of communication; it is central to national identity and cohesion, in a country marked by multi-ethnicity primarily due to its linguistic diversity, rather than racial differences. This illustrates how language in Switzerland is deeply ingrained as an institution, shaping social interactions and policy. While issues of language and identity are relevant in many countries, Switzerland's numerous official languages and the political recognition of linguistic diversity positions it as a prime example of language being thought of as a social institution.