Most languages share which of the following characteristics?

The basic principles of phrase structure are a fundamental characteristic shared by most languages. Phrase structure refers to the way words combine to form phrases and sentences, which is crucial for understanding syntax. This structural component creates a framework for how meaning is generated within a language. Regardless of the specific language, there's a tendency for all to follow certain grammatical rules about how words can be arranged, leading to universal aspects of language development and comprehension.

While the vocabulary of many languages contains borrowings from Latin, particularly in languages with historical ties to Latin, this is not a universal characteristic applicable across all languages. Likewise, the characteristics such as the role of volume and tempo, although important for conveying meaning in spoken language, vary significantly among languages and cultures, making them less universal. The use of similar symbols to represent phonemes is also not a shared characteristic, as different languages employ distinct writing systems and phonetic representations. Thus, the basic principles of phrase structure stand out as the most universally applicable characteristic in the study of languages.