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?

1) Australia
2) United States
3) France
4) Mexico
5) Switzerland

Answer 1

Switzerland is the best example of a country where language is seen as a social institution with political importance due to its multicultural and multilingual fabric.

Step-by-step explanation:

The country that best exemplifies the notion that language is a social institution with political importance is Switzerland. This is because Switzerland is a linguistically diverse country with multiple official languages, including German, French, Italian, and Romansh, each reflecting a different cultural group within the country. Furthermore, Switzerland's recognition of these languages and the corresponding cultural identities illustrate language's significant role in social and political institutions. This is in contrast to countries like the United States, France, and Japan, where one language largely dominates the cultural and political landscape.