Chapter 2 Flashcards
All languages use _____ to represent things and ideas.
symbols
Speakers of the same language agree on the ______ in order to understand one another.
meanings of symbols
____________________ is the key in the development and use of slang words.
social acceptance
Languages all organize symbols into a ___________.
system
_______________helps to organize symbols and allows us to put words into categories in which they relate to one another.
grammar
The system of language is so ____ that a speaker can create a sentence that was never created before.
flexible
Language is always changing. How does it change?
meanings, words and grammar rules
Words of phrases that are generally characteristic of spoken language and not written language.
colloquialism
_____is less formal language because it contains more contractions, more colloquialisms, and sentence fragments.
oral
In oral language, speakers modify through______ .(multiple answers)
tone of voice, volume, facial expressions and gestures
Substance is the _______ -the message communicated through the denotations of words.
content
Style can be determined by ________.
word choices, connotation, syntax, and organization
_______ is defined as how clearly we say something
clarity
______ is how briefly we say something.
economy
______ is how smoothly we say it.
grace
Most listeners share the same _______, but not always the _______.
denotations-connotations
It is better to use _____ words over _____ words.
concrete-abstract
A word’s explicit, literal meaning, or dictionary definition, is its
denotation
A word’s implied or suggested meaning is its
connotation
An expression that means something other than the literal meaning of its words is a/an___
idiom
A word’s implied or suggested meaning is its
connotation
An expression that means something other than the literal meaning of its words is a/an___
idiom
Another name for “word order” is ____
syntax
A regional language pattern is a ____
dialect
The way a message is expressed is its_____
style
The relationship of language to a specific situation, purpose, and audience is ____
usage
A word that refers to general concepts or ideas is said to be___
abstract
A word that refers to specific items or processes is said to be ____.
concrete
A technical vocabulary uses____.
jargon
What characteristics, or features, are common to all oral languages?
social understanding, flexibility and change, use of symbols, and grammar
Both oral and written language must meet expectations regarding what three things?
syntax, grammar, and other conventions of language
Written language tends to be ______ and have more colloquialisms than oral language.
looser
selecting understandable, precise words and phrases and placing them in the correct order. Uses transitions and avoids unfamiliar or poorly constructed phrases
clarity
expressing ideas briefly and pointedly. One should avoid wordiness and unnecessary explanations
economy
communicating in an appealing manner. One should use parallel structure and avoid awkward phrases
grace
