38 Talking about language

A

B

C Specialist terms for talking about language

Syntax: the grammar and word order Different languages express modality in different ways. [meanings such as possibility and necessity] English does it with modal verbs like must, could and should. Phonology: the sound system, i.e. pronunciation and intonation All languages have phonemes, such as /b/ and /v/. [different sounds that distinguish meanings] English has ten diphthongs. [sounds made by combining vowels, such as /eɪ/ and /aʊ/] Lexicon: specialised term for vocabulary Orthography: specialised term for writing systems and spelling The English alphabet has 26 characters. [letters or symbols] Some writing systems, such as Chinese, are not alphabetic but have pictograms or ideograms. [characters representing pictures] [characters representing ideas/concepts] Morphology: how words are formed In English, there are three morphemes in unthinkable: un, think and able. [units of meaning]

Other useful words for talking about language

Many words in English are polysemous. [they have a number of different meanings] The meaning will

usually be clear from its context. [the language or situation around it] Words are often used in a metaphorical way – a way that is not literal, e.g. to see the light, meaning ‘to understand something’ rather than literally to see a light. Language usage inevitably changes with time. [the way words are used] Some words become obsolete

while new words are coined. [fall out of use] [of words, created] Any language has a number of different registers. [style of language used in a particular situation, e.g. formal, informal] Jargon is used to describe a specific type of language that is used by a particular group of people sharing a job or interest, e.g. military jargon, computer jargon.

Using language well or badly

Someone who uses language well can be described as articulate [able to express their ideas clearly in

words] or eloquent. [able to express ideas or opinions clearly, in a way that may influence others] They may express something in a succinct way [clearly and using few words], and they may always be able to

think of the mot juste. [French for ‘correct word’ – exactly the right word or phrase for a particular situation] Someone who does not use language well can be described as inarticulate. [unable to express their ideas clearly in words] If you are speechless or lost for words, you are so surprised that you are unable to say anything. If you put your foot in it, you say something without thinking carefully and may upset or embarrass someone.

38.1

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38.5

Rewrite these sentences using more appropriate technical terms from A opposite instead of the underlined words.

1 The writing system of Burmese is quite difficult for a foreign learner. 2 Japanese uses several different writing systems, with hundreds of letters and symbols. 3 The vocabulary of a language like English is constantly changing. 4 Unlike English, some world languages have very few vowel sounds and no combinations of vowels. 5 This ancient and beautiful alphabet uses characters that symbolise pictures to express meaning. 6 Meanings connected with probability and obligation are expressed in different forms in different languages.

Complete the word formation table below. Use a dictionary if necessary. If your dictionary gives pronunciations, mark any differences in stress between the noun form and the adjective form.

noun adjective orthography lexicon modality metaphor polysemy change in stress?

The sentences below are examples of the different types of language in the box. What is each an example of?

obsolete language computer jargon metaphor polysemy

1 Life is a journey and sometimes your path will be rocky. 2 Marry, thou are roinish, forsooth. 3 It’s not fair that boy with the fair hair won all the prizes at the fair. 4 What kind of external storage device do you have access to?

Complete the sentences with the words in the box.

eloquent foot inarticulate mot juste speechless succinct words

1 Sam is so good with words – he can always find the .

2 I love listening to her – she’s such an speaker. 3 I couldn’t believe it when she said she’d lost all my money – I was completely 4 We don’t have much time, so I’ll be as as possible.

5 I think I put my

in it when I asked Sara how Tom was. I didn’t realise they’d split up! 6 I was completely lost for when Adam told me he’d quit his job. 7 I couldn’t understand a word of what he was saying – he was completely .

Over to you

• How is your language written – in letters, pictograms or ideograms? • Do learners of your language find the syntax difficult? Why? • Does your language have diphthongs? • Does your language have modal verbs? If not, how does it express modality? • Do you know anyone who is very eloquent? • Have you ever been lost for words? When?