language analysis Flashcards
definite article
the word ‘the’
identifies a noun and shows it has been singled out
abstract noun
something that has no physical qualities, hope/adventure/life
an allusion
call something to mind without mentioning it explicitly, refer to something indirectly, reference
‘an allusion to…’
archaism
an old-fashioned word/phrase not used now
‘…’s use of archaism’
‘the archaic verb/noun suggests..’
assonance
repetition of similar vowel sounds
creates rhythm+ embeds phrase into the audience’s minds
attitudes
opinions expressed in a text
auxiliary/modal verbs
expresses necessity or possibility
precedes another verb
collective noun/pronoun
refers to a group of people/things
assembly/family
we/our
comment clause
commonly occuring phrase in speech
you know/I believe
can suggest nervousness
concrete/common noun
noun that is an everyday object, can be seen/heard/touched
compound noun/adjective/verb
word made of two words joined by a hyphen
an oxymoron
uses contradictory words in a phrase
‘bittersweet’
a paradox
a statement that uses contradictory ideas
declarative mood
occurs when the speaker makes a declaration
can create an assertive tone, which shows self-confidence or vanity
discourse
language interaction/dialogue
written or spoken communication
extended expression of thought on a subject
double negative
using two negatives
‘didn’t see nothing’ ‘can’t get no’
can create informal tone or suggest character is lower class
dynamic verb
expresses an action rather than a state
eg. physical (to run)/ mental (to ponder)/ or perceptual (to see)
as opposed to stand/believe
elision
the omission of a sound or syllable when speaking
‘I’m’ ‘let’s’
creates informal/chatty tone
euphemism
a mild/indirect word/expression substituted for one considered to be too harsh/taboo by society when referring to something unpleasant
exclamatory tone
when expressing strong emotions of happiness/sadness/anger
fillers
words used when hesitating in speech, suggests nervousness
‘um’ ‘er’
indefinite article
the word ‘a’ or ‘an’
can suggest speaker is avoiding saying something by downplaying
interrogative mood
expressing a question
juxtaposition
to place two things physically side by side which often contrast one another
semantic field
collection of words which are related to one another through similar meanings, context+ writer intent
litotes (singular+plural)
the use of the double negative to create a ironic or deliberate understatement
‘that wasn’t half bad’
‘that’s not a bad idea’
paralinguistics
on-verbal communication using gestures, posture, facial expressions
parallelism
the patterning of words or structures across a text
repetition emphasises ideas and makes argument memorable
stative verbs
describe states (things that don’t change easily/quickly)
eg. beliefs, thoughts, ownership
verbs of emotion (love)/ opinions (agree)/ perceptions (feel)
superlative adjective
emphasises the extremes
best/worst/fastest
comparative adjective
faster/slower, two years older/younger
tag question
interrogative structure attached to the end of a sentence
eg. ‘isn’t it?’ ‘don’t they?’
can suggest speaker is either unsure or seeks agreement
tripling
listing three items
a vocative
a word used to address someone
through personal name or title (sir/madam)
