Question

the map shows the distribution of the language family that has the largest number of speakers in the world. which statement correctly identifies the language family shown and the method of diffusion that best explains the pattern?
a the map shows the distribution of the amerindian language family, which diffused from its hearth in canada and spread southward into south america through contagious diffusion and into europe and asia through trade and hierarchal diffusion.
b the map shows the distribution of the sino - tibetan language family, which diffused from its hearth in china and spread into europe by contagious diffusion and to the americas through stimulus diffusion.
c the map shows the distribution of the uralic language family, which diffused from its hearth in iceland and spread into northern europe through contagious diffusion by norse trading groups.
d the map shows the distribution of the indo - european language family, which diffused from its hearth in the caucasus mountains and spread throughout eurasia through contagious diffusion and into the americas, africa, and australia through colonialism and relocation diffusion.
e the map shows the distribution of the afro - asiatic language family, which diffused from it hearth in egypt and spread throughout the arabian peninsula and into eurasia through contagious diffusion and into the americas through colonialism and relocation diffusion.

Explanation:

The Indo - European language family is the largest language family in the world in terms of the number of speakers. It originated in the Caucasus Mountains. It spread across Eurasia through direct contact (contagious diffusion) and to the Americas, Africa, and Australia mainly due to colonialism and relocation of people (relocation diffusion). Amerindian, Uralic, Sino - Tibetan, and Afro - Asiatic language families are not the largest in terms of speaker numbers.

Answer:

D. The map shows the distribution of the Indo - European language family, which diffused from its hearth in the Caucasus Mountains and spread throughout Eurasia through contagious diffusion and into the Americas, Africa, and Australia through colonialism and relocation diffusion.