Lengua inglesa Theory Flashcards
Acrostics
Acrostics are poems, phrases, or sentences where the initial (or sometimes final) letters of each line, paragraph, or verse spell out a word, message, or name when read vertically.
Word Squares:
Word squares are grids where a set of words is arranged so that they can be read both horizontally and vertically to form valid words.
Anagrams
Anagrams are words or phrases formed by rearranging the letters of another word or phrase, creating a new word or phrase using the same letters.
Rebus
A rebus is a puzzle or representation that uses pictures, symbols, letters, or words to convey words, phrases, or sentences. It combines pictures or symbols to represent syllables or words.
Palindromes
Palindromes are words, phrases, or sentences that read the same forward and backward, disregarding spaces and punctuation. Examples include “level,” “racecar,” and “madam.”
Pangrams
Pangrams are sentences that use every letter of the alphabet at least once. Examples include “The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog” and “Pack my box with five dozen liquor jugs.”
Lipograms
Lipograms are texts that purposely omit a particular letter or group of letters. These texts challenge writers to express ideas while avoiding certain letters.
Univocalics
Univocalics are compositions where only one vowel is used throughout the entire text, restricting the writer to use only one vowel in the entire piece.
Doublets
Doublets are word puzzles where two words of the same length are connected by changing one letter at a time, creating a chain of words where each subsequent word differs by a single letter.
Syzygies
Syzygies refer to word pairs or phrases that are synonymous or nearly synonymous, often used in poetry or literature for rhythmic purposes.
Word Within Words
Word within words refers to a word that is contained within another longer word. For instance, “heart” is within “earth.”
Grid Games:
Grid games refer to various word games played on a grid, such as crosswords, word searches, or Scrabble.
Gematria
Gematria is a system where numerical values are assigned to letters or words. It’s often used in mysticism or religious texts where words or phrases are believed to have a numerical significance.
why is US spelling more common than UK
Geopolitical Influence: The United States has a significant global presence in various fields, including technology, entertainment, business, and academia. As a result, American English, including its spelling conventions, has had a widespread influence worldwide.
Technology and Media Dominance: American media, such as movies, television shows, music, and online content, reach a vast global audience. Consequently, people around the world are exposed to and influenced by American spelling through these mediums.
Economic and Business Influence: The United States plays a dominant role in global trade and business. Many international companies and organizations adopt American English standards for communication, including spelling, to reach a broader audience and maintain consistency.
Standardization in Software and Technology: Spellcheckers, word processing software, and other technological tools often default to American English spelling. This default setting, commonly used worldwide, can contribute to the prevalence of US spelling.
Simplified Spelling Rules: In some cases, US spelling is perceived as more phonetic and simplified compared to UK spelling, which may be seen as more complex due to retained historical orthography.
Population and English Learners: The United States has a large population, and English learners often rely on American English standards due to its widespread usage and availability of learning resources.
name two 18th century influential grammarians in Britain
Robert Lowth (1710–1787): Lowth was a bishop in the Church of England and a notable figure in the field of English grammar. He authored “A Short Introduction to English Grammar” in 1762, which became a widely used grammar book. His work had a significant impact on the study and teaching of English grammar during that period.
Joseph Priestley (1733–1804): Although primarily known for his contributions to science and theology, Joseph Priestley was also a significant figure in grammar studies. He wrote “The Rudiments of English Grammar” in 1761, which was an influential grammar book focusing on the structure and rules of the English language.
Samuel Johnson,
What are the major language families that English belongs to?
A: English belongs to the Germanic branch of the Indo-European language family.
Q: How has the English language evolved over time?
A: English has evolved through various stages, including Old English, Middle English, and Modern English, each influenced by historical, social, and linguistic factors.
Q: What are some examples of English words borrowed from other languages?
A: Examples include “cliché” from French, “piano” from Italian, and “schadenfreude” from German.
Q: How does English vary in different English-speaking countries?
A: Varieties of English, such as British English, American English, and Australian English, exhibit differences in pronunciation, vocabulary, and spelling.
Q: What impact did the Norman Conquest have on the English language?
A: The Norman Conquest introduced French vocabulary and influenced linguistic changes in Middle English.
Q: What is the role of dialects in the English language?
A: Dialects represent regional variations in language, including differences in pronunciation, vocabulary, and grammar.
Q: How has technology influenced the evolution of English?
A: Technology has introduced new vocabulary and expressions, such as “selfie” and “tweet,” and changed communication patterns.
