Chapter 5 Vocab Flashcards
Language
A system of symbols and rules used for communication.
Example: English, Spanish, and French are all languages.
Dialect
A version of a language with unique words and meanings.
Example: British English vs. American English (ex., “lorry” vs. “truck”)
Symbol
Something, like a word, that stands for something else.
Example: The word “dog” represents a four-legged animal.
Denotative meanings
connotative meanings
The dictionary definition of a word.
(Example: The denotative meaning of “apple” is a fruit.)
Connotative meanings
The emotional or cultural meanings tied to a word.
(Example: “Home” connotes warmth and safety.)
phonological rules
Rules about how sounds combine to form words.
Example: The “ph” in English sounds like “f” (phone).
syntactic rules
Rules that decide how words are arranged in sentences.
Example: In English, we say “I am happy,” not “Happy I am.”
semantic rules
Rules about what words mean.
Ex: “bark” means a sound a dog makes, but the outer layer of a tree too.
pragmatic rules
Rules on how language is used in everyday situations.
Example: “Can you pass the salt?” is polite, not just questioning ability
speech act
The purpose of a conversation, like greeting or joking.
(Example: “Good morning” is a speech act for greeting.)
Reappropriation
When a group changes the meaning of an offensive term.
Example: The LGBTQ+ community reappropriated the word “queer.”
coordinated management of meaning (CMM)
People create meaning together when they communicate.
Example: You tell your friend a joke, they laugh, creating shared humor.
linguistic relativism
The idea that language shapes how we see the world.
Ex: Some cultures have many words for snow, shaping how they perceive it
Accent
A different way of pronouncing words.
Convergence
A different way of pronouncing words.
Example: Adopting a formal tone when speaking to your boss.
Divergence
Changing your speaking style to emphasize differences.
Example: Using slang with your friends to stand out from a formal crowd.
linguistic intergroup bias
Describing people based on whether they’re in your group or not.
Ex: “John helps b/c hes nice” vs. “John helps b/c he wants to look good”
Equivocal words
Words that have more than one meaning.
Example: “Bat” can mean an animal or a sports tool.
Equivocation
A vague statement with multiple interpretations.
Example: “I had a rough night” could mean bad sleep or a party.
relative words
Words that depend on comparison for their meaning.
(Ex: “Fast” could mean different speeds depending on it’s comparisons to.)
Slang
Language used by a particular group of people.
Example: “Lit” means exciting or awesome among younger generations.
Jargon
Specialized terms used by people in the same profession or group.
Example: In medicine, “BP” stands for blood pressure.
Euphemism
A mild word used to replace a harsher one.
(Example: Saying “passed away” instead of “died.”)
abstract language
Language that isn’t specific or detailed.
Ex: Saying “things are tough” instead of explaining exactly what’s wrong
abstraction ladder
A scale of more or less specific terms.
(Example: From abstract to specific: “vehicle” → “car” → “Toyota Camry.)
factual statement
A statement that can be proven true or false.
Example: “Water boils at 100°C.”
inferential statement
A statement based on an interpretation of evidence.
Example: “He must be tired because he’s yawning.”
opinion statement
A statement that reflects personal beliefs.
Example: “Chocolate ice cream is the best.”
emotive language
Language that shows feelings instead of facts.
Example: “That’s an amazing performance!”
ad hominem fallacy
Attacking someone’s character instead of addressing the argument.
Example: “You can’t trust his opinion; he’s a liar.”
