General Metalanguage

Question 1

Language choices associated with Standard English. Overt prestige is acquired by those speakers who have command of a standard dialect.

Answer 1

overt norms

Question 2

A person’s individual style of speech. Idiolects are marked by idiosyncratic (highly individual) features such as pronunciation or word choice.

Answer 2

Idiolect

Question 3

Language that is deliberately used to confuse, mislead or obscure, e.g. ‘downsizing operations’ for ‘sacking’.

Answer 3

double-speak

Question 4

Language in the public domain, e.g. in politics, the media, business, bureaucracy and education

Answer 4

public language

Question 5

To confuse or obscure meaning.

Answer 5

Obfuscate

Question 6

Language and topics that are considered by society to be unacceptable in polite situations, e.g. sexual terms or bodily functions.

Answer 6

taboo

Question 7

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.

Answer 7

negative face

Question 8

A variety of language spoken by a particular ethnic group, Migrant Englishes, for instance, are referred to as ethnolects.

Answer 8

Ethnolect

Question 9

The circumstances in which speech and writing take place.

Answer 9

Context

Question 10

A form of exaggeration, also known as ‘hyperbole’, e.g. ‘the most exciting holiday destination in the world’.

Answer 10

Overstatement

Question 11

The linguistic terminology required to discuss and analyse language.

Answer 11

Metalanguage

Question 12

Language differences between individuals or groups. Can be social or geographical.

Answer 12

variation

Question 13

Harmonious relationship.

Answer 13

rapport

Question 14

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.

Answer 14

Standard English (SE)

Question 15

A linguistic approach which focuses on language as it is, rather than how it should be.

Answer 15

Descriptivism

Question 16

The areas of phonology/phonetics, lexicon, morphology, semantics, syntax and discourse, all of which interconnect to give us language.

Answer 16

subsystems

Question 17

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.

Answer 17

opinionative essay

Question 18

The language of a particular social group or occupation. For instance, the jargon of law contains such terms as ‘affidavit’ and ‘defendant’.

Answer 18

Jargon

Question 19

An informal phrase or word.

Answer 19

Colloquialism

Question 20

Colloquial or informal language, often peculiar to distinctive social or age groups.

Answer 20

slang

Question 21

Persuasive language in the public domain.

Answer 21

rhetoric

Question 22

How the values, attitudes and beliefs held by participants and the wider community contribute to language choices.

Answer 22

cultural context

Question 23

The functions of language concerning relationships and power structures, e.g. encouraging solidarity or reinforcing social distance.

Answer 23

social purpose

Question 24

A variety of language used by a particular social group (age group, socio-economic status, occupation etc.).

Answer 24

sociolect

Question 25

varieties of English that do not conform to the Standard or prestige variety, e.g. Aboriginal Englishes and ethnolects.

Answer 25

non-Standard English

Question 26

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.

Answer 26

politically correct (PC) language

Question 27

A linguistic approach that aims to impose or preserve historically narrow standards or usage norms.

Answer 27

Prescriptivism

Question 28

A variety of language spoken by teenagers. It consists of many jargon and slang terms, such as ‘hardcore’ and ‘full on’.

Answer 28

teenspeak

Question 29

Expressive use of language where words are used in a non-literal way, e.g. idioms, metaphors, puns, personification.

Answer 29

figurative language

Question 30

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.

Answer 30

positive face

Question 31

A term that refers to degrees of formality within a discourse, e.g. speech and writing can be in an informal or formal register.

Answer 31

register

Question 32

The form language takes: spoken, written or signed.

Answer 32

Mode

Question 33

An essay that explains, explores or comments on a particular statement or quote.

Answer 33

expository essay

Question 34

How the function, field, mode, setting and relationships between participants contribute to language choices.

Answer 34

situational context

Question 35

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.

Answer 35

covert norms

Question 36

The language or dialect that holds the most social power or esteem in a certain community.

Answer 36

prestige language variety

Question 37

The purpose or role of language use, e.g. to inform, to persuade, to instruct.

Answer 37

Function

Question 38

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).

Answer 38

varieties

Question 39

Language that avoids reference to a person’s religion, gender, status, race, disability, physical characteristics, age etc.

Answer 39

non-discriminatory language