General Metalanguage Flashcards
Language choices associated with Standard English. Overt prestige is acquired by those speakers who have command of a standard dialect.
overt norms
A person’s individual style of speech. Idiolects are marked by idiosyncratic (highly individual) features such as pronunciation or word choice.
Idiolect
Language that is deliberately used to confuse, mislead or obscure, e.g. ‘downsizing operations’ for ‘sacking’.
double-speak
Language in the public domain, e.g. in politics, the media, business, bureaucracy and education
public language
To confuse or obscure meaning.
Obfuscate
Language and topics that are considered by society to be unacceptable in polite situations, e.g. sexual terms or bodily functions.
taboo
The need to be autonomous and act without imposition from others. I.e. refers to one’s freedom to act, and it is threatened when someone is forced to submit to the will of their interlocutor. Examples that violate it are threats and warnings.
negative face
A variety of language spoken by a particular ethnic group, Migrant Englishes, for instance, are referred to as ethnolects.
Ethnolect
The circumstances in which speech and writing take place.
Context
A form of exaggeration, also known as ‘hyperbole’, e.g. ‘the most exciting holiday destination in the world’.
Overstatement
The linguistic terminology required to discuss and analyse language.
Metalanguage
Language differences between individuals or groups. Can be social or geographical.
variation
Harmonious relationship.
rapport
The dominant, prestige variety of English used for official or public purposes. It has a uniform grammar and lexicon but may be spoken in a variety of accents/pronunciations.
Standard English (SE)
A linguistic approach which focuses on language as it is, rather than how it should be.
Descriptivism
The areas of phonology/phonetics, lexicon, morphology, semantics, syntax and discourse, all of which interconnect to give us language.
subsystems
An essay which requires you to give your opinion on a particular statement or quote and to say to what extent you agree or disagree with the topic.
opinionative essay
The language of a particular social group or occupation. For instance, the jargon of law contains such terms as ‘affidavit’ and ‘defendant’.
Jargon
An informal phrase or word.
Colloquialism
Colloquial or informal language, often peculiar to distinctive social or age groups.
slang
Persuasive language in the public domain.
rhetoric
How the values, attitudes and beliefs held by participants and the wider community contribute to language choices.
cultural context
The functions of language concerning relationships and power structures, e.g. encouraging solidarity or reinforcing social distance.
social purpose
A variety of language used by a particular social group (age group, socio-economic status, occupation etc.).
sociolect
varieties of English that do not conform to the Standard or prestige variety, e.g. Aboriginal Englishes and ethnolects.
non-Standard English
Terminology arising out of society’s desire for language that reflects and encourages attitudes of tolerance and acceptance, particularly with regard to gender, race, religion, disability, sexual orientation etc.
politically correct (PC) language
A linguistic approach that aims to impose or preserve historically narrow standards or usage norms.
Prescriptivism
A variety of language spoken by teenagers. It consists of many jargon and slang terms, such as ‘hardcore’ and ‘full on’.
teenspeak
Expressive use of language where words are used in a non-literal way, e.g. idioms, metaphors, puns, personification.
figurative language
The need to be liked, respected and made to feel good. Refers to one’s self-esteem. Accommodating one’s language to make someone else comfortable is an example of meeting these needs.
positive face
A term that refers to degrees of formality within a discourse, e.g. speech and writing can be in an informal or formal register.
register
The form language takes: spoken, written or signed.
Mode
An essay that explains, explores or comments on a particular statement or quote.
expository essay
How the function, field, mode, setting and relationships between participants contribute to language choices.
situational context
Language varieties that are associated with non-Standard English and which have prestige within the social groups that use them. Covert prestige is acquired by speakers wishing to to a certain community.
covert norms
The language or dialect that holds the most social power or esteem in a certain community.
prestige language variety
The purpose or role of language use, e.g. to inform, to persuade, to instruct.
Function
In English Language, the many different versions of English spoken in Australia: Standard Australian English, ethnolects, Aboriginal Englishes and other non-Standard varieties (such as teenspeak).
varieties
Language that avoids reference to a person’s religion, gender, status, race, disability, physical characteristics, age etc.
non-discriminatory language
