Question

Which of the following is a phonological feature of Scandinavian loanwords?

• A. The use of silent letters
• B. The presence of nasal vowels
• C. The retention of ‘sk-’ sounds
• D. The use of polysyllabic structures

Answer 1

Answer:

C. The retention of ‘sk-’ sounds

One of the key phonological features of Scandinavian (Old Norse) loanwords in English is the preservation of the ‘sk-’ sound at the beginning of words.

Examples of Scandinavian loanwords with "sk-":

• Sky (from Old Norse ský)

• Skill (from Old Norse skil)

• Skin (from Old Norse skinn)

• Skirt (from Old Norse skyrta, meaning "shirt")