Language Concepts

Question 1

What is ‘genre’?

Answer 1

Genre is the type of texts. Eg, thriller, comedy, news article etc. You can also get sub genres.

Question 2

What is ‘context 1’?

Answer 2

Context 1 is the meanings/subject of the text.

Question 3

What is ‘context 2’?

Answer 3

Context 2 depends on the background details of the text. Eg, the situation (social,cultural,historical context).

Question 4

What is the ‘audience’?

Answer 4

The audience is the people, the text/conversation is for. There is a primary and secondary audience. Eg, chat shows, live studio + viewers at home.

Question 5

What is the ‘purpose’?

Answer 5

The purpose is why the text has been written/spoken. Eg, to entertain, discuss, advise, persuade, promote, inform or instruct.

Question 6

What is ‘register’?

Answer 6

Register is what type of mode,field,tenor is being used? What sort of formality or general mood does it portray?

Question 7

What is ‘mode’? (In terms of register)

Answer 7

Mode is seeing if the text is spoken or written. Does it have a mixed mode? - (written elements of spoken, eg, ‘wanna’). Is it multi-modal? - (written text but it replaces a conversation, eg, a text message to a friend asking if the want to go out).

Question 8

What is ‘field’? (In terms of register)

Answer 8

Field is a semantic field/the subject matter. Is there a lot of field specific language? Eg, injury, blood test, x-ray would be a semantic field of a doctor.

Question 9

What is ‘tenor’? (In terms of register)

Answer 9

Tenor is seeing if the language is formal or informal. Is there a neutral tenor? - (everyday english language). Is there a mixed tenor? - (slang).

Question 10

What are the 7 tenors of the formality spectrum?

Answer 10

1. Taboo, 2. Vulgarism, 3. Slang, 4. Colloquial 5. Neutral, 6. Formal, 7. very formal

Question 11

What is ‘taboo’ language (Tenor)?

Answer 11

Taboo is language that is not usually spoken or it is seen as a bit ‘bad’. Eg, politically incorrect statements. Eg, swear words.

Question 12

What is ‘vulgarism’ language? (Tenor)

Answer 12

Vulgarism is language that is a bit frowned upon/crude language. It also can depend on the context. Eg, ‘crap’.

Question 13

What is ‘slang’ language? (Tenor)

Answer 13

Slang is language that can be abbreviated. Eg, police because ‘the bizzies’. Eg, ‘sick’ can be something very cool or someone ill.

Question 14

What is ‘colloquial’ language? (Tenor)

Answer 14

Colloquial language is everyday language that is more informal/has a conversational tone. Eg, ‘y’all’, ‘wanna’, ‘gonna’. Eg. ‘On the box’ means the telly.

Question 15

What is ‘neutral’ language? (Tenor)

Answer 15

Neutral language is language used in the everyday dictionary, it is more formal than colloquial. Eg, ‘policeman’.

Question 16

What is ‘formal’ language? (Tenor)

Answer 16

Formal language is less personal language and is used to show respect to someone. Eg, ‘police officer’.

Question 17

What is ‘very formal’ language? (Tenor)

Answer 17

Very formal language is giving someone or something more authority/no informal language used. Eg, ‘a member of the police constabulary’.

Question 18

What is ‘voice’?

Answer 18

Voice is seeing how the writer/speaker sounds? Eg, are they angry, passionate, knowledgeable?

Question 19

What is ‘dialect’?

Answer 19

Dialect is the vocabulary/grammatical patterns of language used by a distinctive group of people from the same region/geographical area. Eg, in Britain McDonalds is called ‘maccies’ but in USA it is called ‘maccy D’s’. Eg, batch, baps, roll, butty, barm cake.

Question 20

What is ‘sociolect’?

Answer 20

Sociolect is the defined use of language as a result of a ‘membership’ of a social group. The way your language patterns change due to the people you socialise with (because of age, background, gender etc). Eg, webs=shoes, blaze=smoking.

Question 21

What is ‘idiolect’?

Answer 21

Idiolect is how an individual talks/their speech habits/an individual’s own ‘linguistic fingerprint’. Eg, when somebody continuously uses a word - ‘basically’.

Question 22

What is an ‘accent’?

Answer 22

An accent is the pronunciation. Eg, yà = you.

Question 23

What is ‘graphology’?

Answer 23

Graphology is seeing if there are any images/fonts/underling/bold/italics etc in texts.

Question 24

What is a ‘lexis’?

Answer 24

Lexis is another word for ‘word’.

Question 25

What are ‘word classes’?

Answer 25

Word classes are nouns, pronouns, verbs, adverbs, adjectives etc.

Question 26

What is a ‘pejorative lexis’?

Answer 26

Pejorative lexis are words that are insulting or cruel. They are usually adjectives (pejorative adjectives) Eg, the ugly man, the nasty woman.

Question 27

What is a ‘laudatory lexis’?

Answer 27

Laudatory lexis are words that are more complimentary or flattering. They are usually adjectives (laudatory adjectives). Eg, nice day, amazing voice.

Question 28

What is a ‘polysyllabic lexis’?

Answer 28

Polysyllabic lexis are words that have 3+ syllables. Eg, beautiful (4), melancholy (4).

Question 29

What is a ‘disyllabic lexis’?

Answer 29

Disyllabic lexis are words that have 2 syllables. Eg, homework.

Question 30

What is ‘monosyllabic lexis’?

Answer 30

Monosyllabic lexis are words that have 1 syllable. Eg, kind, news.

Question 31

What is a ‘euphemism’?

Answer 31

A euphemism is a more sensitive or milder word or expression used in place of one that is harsher or more blunt (a nicer way on saying something). Eg, saying ‘passed away’ instead of died. Saying they are a ‘leader’ instead of bossy. Saying that you’ve been ‘let go’ instead of being fired. (Opposite of dysphemism).

Question 32

What is a ‘dysphemism’?

Answer 32

A dysphemism is a derogatory or unpleasant term intended to make something sound more negative. (Opposite of euphemism). Eg, calling an elderly person ‘ancient’. Calling a run down area a ‘slum’. Calling a drug user a ‘smack head’.