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English > Language terms ch 3 > Flashcards

Language terms ch 3 Flashcards

1
Q

abstract

A

language that refers to things in a distant, generalized way.
Common in formal texts like essays and reports.

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2
Q

Which sentence is the most ABSTRACT?
1. “Screen violence can have a negative influence on the behavior of children”

  1. “When children see people saying and doing violent things, it can make them behave badly.”
A

1.

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3
Q

What problems may occur if too much ABSTRACT language is used?

A
  1. Very formal

2. Difficult to read.

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4
Q

Acronyms

A

Words formed from the initial letters of a group of words.

E.g. TARDIS Time and Relative DImensions in Space

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5
Q

Active Voice

Passive Voice

A

The subject of the sentence does something ( verb).
e.g. Gina won the race.

The object of the sentence is emphasized.

e.g. The race was won by Gina

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6
Q

Ambiguity

A

occurs when a group of words have more than one meaning.

We say this word/group of words is AMBIGUOUS.

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7
Q

“I asked you to do it quietly” is ambiguous.

Give the two possible meanings

A
  1. The voice i used was quiet when i asked you to do it.

2. I wanted you to be quiet when you did it.

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8
Q

antonyms

A

opposites

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9
Q

archaic

A

language from an earlier time.

e.g. thee, thou

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10
Q

cliches

A

overused expressions.
e.g. better late than never.
(Idioms can become cliches)

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11
Q

coherence

A

refers to whether or not the text makes sense.

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12
Q

coherent

A

text makes sense

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13
Q

incoherent

A

does not make sense

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14
Q

cohesion

A

how the text “hangs together” as a whole.

i.e. the sentences and words flow well.

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15
Q

collocation

A

the way certain words commonly occur together or in a certain order.
e.g. crystal clear not glass clear.
bread and butter not butter and bread.

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16
Q

concrete language

A

language that describes actual, real and particular objects.

opposite of abstract

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17
Q

Which sentence uses concrete language?

  1. People in the city live close to each other
  2. Urban density is greater in cities
A

1.

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18
Q

connotation

A

ideas and feelings suggested by the word.
e.g. “LADY” suggests femininity and proper behavior.
“WOMAN” does not.

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19
Q

dialect

A

a subgroup of a language with its own words (vocab) and grammar.
e.g. northern Americans say “Hello”
southern Americans say “Howdy.”

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20
Q

direct speech

A

reporting of words from actual conversation in a text.

Quotation marks are used.

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21
Q

Ellipsis

A

the omission of words that repeat what has been said already.
e.g. Helen and Georgia arrived late in the afternoon and quickly began skating.
Helen and Georgia is not repeated after the word “and”.

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22
Q

ellipsis (Second meaning)

A

refers to … that indicates missing words.

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23
Q

emotive language

A

subjective language. Evokes feelings

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24
Q

euphemisms

A

words that are used in stead of more accurate, but less polite alternatives.
e.g. passed away vs dying
Little girl’s room vs toilet

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25
Q

expletives

A

rude words, swear words.

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26
Q

figurative language (metaphorical)

A

words that do not mean exactly what they say.

e.g. I’m flying high” means you are happy, not you are up in the sky!

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27
Q

figure of speech

A

is an idiom, it does not mean what it literally says.

metaphor, simile, hyperbole, onomatopoeia

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28
Q

fillers

A

um, er okay. Used to fill in time while you think of something to say!
Makes language less formal.

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29
Q

hyperbole

A

use of exaggeration for effect.

e.g. “I will kill you if you do that!”

30
Q

Idiomatic language

A

figurative language..
Meaning is different from literal meaning,
e.g. “drop a bombshell.”

31
Q

Where is idiomatic language used?

A

everyday language.

32
Q

imperative language

A

verbs used as commands or instructions.

e.g. GO to your room.

33
Q

interrogative language

A

words and sentence patterns that form questions.
Some are obvious e.g. Who are you?
Some rely on intonation e.g. You like me?

34
Q

intonation

A

refers to the rising and falling pattern of voice.

e.g. tone rises at the end of a question.

35
Q

jargon

A

technical language

36
Q

literal meaning

A

natural or strict meaning of a word or phrase.

Used in texts like reports and technical manuals.

37
Q

metaphor

A

draws attention to the similarities of two things.

38
Q

modality

A

the use of certain words and phrases to show how we feel about an idea, generally how certain we are or how strongly we feel.
e.g. absolutely, perhaps, definitely.

39
Q

modal verbs

A

small verbs e.g. must, can, have to, could , might, ought.

40
Q

nominalisation

A

processes of making nouns and noun phrases from verbs
e.g. treat = treatment
achieve = achivement

41
Q

non-verbal communication

A

body language = facial expressions, gestures etc.

42
Q

obsolete

A

language that is no longer used.

e.g. horologe = watch

43
Q

oxymoron

A

a combination of two words or phrases that are opposite or condradictory.
e.g. a weak tyrant.

44
Q

person - refers to the three…

A

types of address, I You He/She

45
Q

prose

A

ordinary language - opposed to poetry

46
Q

redundant

A

unnecessary words.
e.g. he is an evil, bad man.
bad is redundant as the word evil is sufficient.

47
Q

register

A

how formal the language is.

48
Q

rhetorical question

A

a question asked for effect.
e.g. ‘To be, or not to be?’

no answer is expected.

49
Q

simile

A

comparing things using “like” or “as”.

50
Q

slogan

A

a brief expression that is used to promote a message.

51
Q

synonyms

A

words that have the same meaning

e.g. thin and skinny

52
Q

tautology

A

unnecessary repetition
e.g. “Can you repeat that statement again?”
The word “again” is not needed.

53
Q

tense

A

form of a verb that shows when it occurred.

Form may be past, present or future.

54
Q

tone

A

attitude or feeling of the composer that comes through the text.
May be light-hearted, serious, sarcastic, authoritarian, respectful etc.

55
Q

topic sentence

A

sentence that states the main idea.

56
Q

verbose style

A

uses many words when only a few would do.

57
Q

vogue

A

words that are in fashion for awhile.

58
Q

voice

A

refers to whether the sentence is ACTIVE or PASSIVE.

59
Q

voice ( meaning 2 )

A

a sense of who is writing the text.

the perspective.

60
Q

vulgar language

A

unacceptable or offensive to many people

61
Q

formal language

A

language that is correct and conventional.
sounds official.
e.g. in essays or reports.

62
Q

informal language / colloquial language

A

language of everyday conversation.

63
Q

register

A

how formal the language is.

64
Q

where would you be most likely to find formal language?

A

Writing - not speaking

65
Q

what type of language sounds cold and distant?

A

formal

66
Q

colloquialisms

A

words or phrases that are not formal

67
Q

slang

A

a form of colloquial language ( not formal).

68
Q

subjective language

A

indicates an attitude to, or feeling about, the topic

69
Q

objective language

A

tries not to show any attitude or feeling. Focuses on facts and information only.

70
Q

emotive language

A

purpose is to make the audience respond emotionally.

71
Q

personal language

A

creates a personal connection between the composer and the audience.
This personal relationship is an important focus of the text.

72
Q

impersonal language

A

does not make any personal connection with the audience. The focus is totally on the topic of the text.

English (4 decks)

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