下面句子中的what引导应该是宾语从句:
The relative status of the speakers affects what language is used.
这个 what 从句应如何理解?
此处的what language可理解为the language that / which。即:
The relative status of the speakers affects what language is used.
= The relative status of the speakers affects the language that / which is used.
说话者相应的地位影响到使用的语言。
参见英语语法网文章:《关系型what引导名词性从句的五种用法》
http://www.yygrammar.com/Article/200804/256.html