21st Century Language C Flashcards
What is ‘technological convergence,’ and how does it influence 21st-century English?
The merging of communication platforms (e.g., texting, social media) creates hybrid forms of language, blending spoken and written features.
What is ‘text speak’?
A form of language used in digital communication that often includes abbreviations (e.g., ‘LOL’ for ‘laugh out loud’).
What is a ‘meme,’ and how does it reflect linguistic creativity?
Memes are cultural ideas or trends spread online, often using images and text to create humorous or satirical messages.
Define ‘multimodal communication.’
Communication that combines text, images, emojis, and videos, common in digital interactions.
What is the role of emojis in 21st-century English?
Emojis add visual context to digital communication, replacing or enhancing facial expressions and tone.
How has global English impacted 21st-century language use?
English has become a lingua franca, incorporating vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation from non-native speakers.
What is ‘code-switching’?
Alternating between languages or dialects in conversation, increasingly common in multicultural societies.
What are ‘neologisms’? Provide an example from the 21st century.
Newly coined words or expressions, e.g., ‘selfie’ (a photograph taken of oneself).
What is ‘semantic reclamation’?
The process of marginalized groups reclaiming and redefining derogatory terms, e.g., ‘queer.’
Define ‘gender-neutral language.’
Language that avoids bias toward a particular gender, such as ‘firefighter’ instead of ‘fireman.’
What is the impact of ‘clipping’ in digital communication?
The shortening of words to save time, e.g., ‘bio’ for ‘biography.’
How has ‘vlogging’ influenced English?
Vloggers often use conversational, informal styles that blur the lines between spoken and written English.
What is ‘phonetic spelling’?
Spelling words as they sound, often used in digital spaces (e.g., ‘thx’ for ‘thanks’).
How has ‘cancel culture’ introduced new vocabulary?
Words like ‘cancelled’ and ‘call-out’ have gained prominence in discussions about accountability.
Who is David Crystal, and what is his view on digital language?
Crystal argues that digital communication enhances linguistic creativity rather than damaging it.
What is Jean Aitchison’s ‘Crumbling Castle’ metaphor?
A prescriptive view that sees language as a once-perfect structure now decaying due to change.
What is Jean Aitchison’s counterargument to prescriptivism?
Language change is natural, inevitable, and reflects social and cultural evolution.
What does Deborah Cameron say about ‘verbal hygiene’?
Cameron argues that people impose rules on language to reflect social norms and identities.
What is Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis, and how does it relate to contemporary language?
The idea that language shapes thought, relevant to debates about politically correct language.
What is Suzanne Romaine’s ‘internal vs. external history of language’?
Internal change involves structural evolution; external change involves social and cultural factors.
What is Paul Kerswill’s ‘dialect levelling’?
The reduction of regional accents and dialects due to increased mobility and urbanization.
What is Norman Fairclough’s view on informalization?
Fairclough argues that language in public spaces is becoming increasingly conversational and informal.
What is Sharon Goodman’s theory of ‘informalization’?
A trend in which language becomes less formal across various contexts, reflecting changing social norms.
What is ‘prescriptivism’?
The belief that language should adhere to strict rules and resist change.
What is ‘descriptivism’?
The approach that studies and describes language as it is used, accepting change as natural.
What does Tony Thorne suggest about slang?
Thorne highlights that slang reflects youth culture and rapidly evolves due to social media.
How does globalization influence contemporary language change?
It increases linguistic borrowing and hybridization, particularly in English as a lingua franca.
How do social media platforms influence language?
Platforms like Twitter and TikTok influence language by imposing constraints (e.g., character limits) or encouraging trends.
What is ‘intensification through reduplication,’ according to McCulloch?
The repetition of letters or words (e.g., ‘sooo good’) to emphasize meaning or emotion.
How does McCulloch address fears about the ‘decline’ of language due to the internet?
She argues that the internet fosters creativity and innovation, rather than degrading language.
What does McCulloch say about GIFs and memes as shared cultural knowledge?
Understanding GIFs and memes requires familiarity with cultural contexts, making them a form of in-group communication.
How does McCulloch describe the role of ‘micro-communities’ in language change?
Smaller online communities act as incubators for new linguistic trends that may spread more broadly.
What is McCulloch’s observation about the ‘emotional nuance’ in digital language?
Digital communication compensates for the lack of nonverbal cues by using features like punctuation, capitalization, and emojis.
How does McCulloch explain the rapid evolution of internet language?
The speed and global reach of the internet enable linguistic trends to emerge, spread, and evolve quickly.
How does McCulloch view the future of language in the digital age?
She predicts continued innovation and adaptation as new technologies and cultural practices emerge.
