vocabulary list Flashcards
A rapid rise
The use of continuous passive verb forms has also seen a rapid rise.
a fast increase
a steady shift
There was a steady shift toward more frequent use of the verb + -ing and these forms are still on the increase.
a continuing change
acquire a language
Some learners appear to be able to acquire a language withoutmuch formal study.
to learn a language
acquisition
In this article, Ellen McArthur reflects on her acquisition of French.
the process of learning
or getting something
attain a level / degree of
competence
I’m not sure if I’ll ever attain a native speaker level of competence.
to reach a particular
standard
barely perceptible
One lasting change to English that was barely perceptible at the time is known as The Great Vowel Shift.
almost impossible to
notice
be on the way out
Stiff, formal words like ‘shall’ and ‘ought’ are on the way out.
to start to disappear or
no longer exist
brush up (one’s French /
German, etc)
Ellen MacArthur’s career forced her to brush up her school-girl French.
to improve your skills in a language
capability
He has the capability to do well at school.
the ability or power to do something
competence
What level of competence would you like to attain eventually?
the ability to do something well
dedication
Learning a language requires dedication.
being willing to give a lot of time and energy to
something because you believe it is very important
discipline
I don’t have the discipline to study alone.
the ability to control yourself and make yourself do things
distraction.
I couldn’t understand him because there were too many distractions in the room.
something that makes you stop giving your attention to something else
entirely unnoticed
These changes can have a hugely significant impact but can go entirely unnoticed while they are in progress.
not noticed at all
exposure.
English speakers have little to no exposure to the sounds of foreign languages.
when someonenexperiences something
or is affected by it because they are in a
particular situation or place
get accustomed to sth.
When he went to live in Korea, he quickly got accustomed to the sound of the language.
to experience something often enough for it to
seem normal to you
get to grips with sth
The sounds of Finnish are quite unique, so I found it dificult to to get to grips with the pronunciation.
to understand and deal
with a problem or
situation
gradually give way to sth
Modal verbs are gradually giving way to other less formal expressions.
to slowly be replaced by something
grasp
Because I understood some French, I could grasp some of what they were saying.
to understand something
grow substantially
to increase by a large amount
The use of get passives has grown substantially.
have an ear for sth
Penny’s lucky – she has an ear for languages.
to be good at hearing, repeating, or
understanding a particular type of sound
hold a conversation
After about a year, he found he could a hold a conversation in Italian without too much effort.
to have a conversation
hugely significant
These changes can have a hugely significant impact but can go entirely unnoticed while they are in progress.
very important
immerse oneself in sth
She spent six weeks in Poland and really immersed herself in the language and culture.
to become completely involved in something
insight.
She has little insight into their lives.
the ability to understand what something is really
like, or an example of this
interaction
Robots can never replace human beings in any context that requires interaction with people.
the activity of talking and doing things with
other people, or the way you do this
interference
when something affects what you are trying to
achieve
They struggle with first language interference.
keep at it
People tend to give up on second language learning too easily. You need to keep at it if you want to succeed.
to continue working hard at something
difficult
lasting
One lasting change to English that was barely perceptible at the time is known as The Great Vowel Shift.
continuing to exist for a long time
limitation
There are financial limitations on their education.
when something is controlled so that it is
less than a particular amount or number
literacy
the ability to read and write
Literacy rates have gone up in the area.
mentality
You have to have the right mentality to learn a language.
a person’s opinions or
way of thinking
motivation
They have no motivation to learn the language.
the need or reason for doing something
necessity
There is no necessity to learn the language.
something that you need
on the increase
There was a steady shift toward more frequent use of the verb + -ing and these forms are still on the increase.
If something is on the increase, it is happening
more often.
ongoing
There are far more subtle, ongoing language changes taking place at any given time.
still happening
pick up (a new language,
phrases, etc)
She explained how she picked up the language.
to learn a new language by practising it and not
by being taught
prestige
They like the prestige of knowing a second language.
when people feel respect
and admiration for you,
often because you are
successful
put sth into practice
Unless I put a new piece of language into practice immediately, I find I forget it.
to start to do something
you have learned how to
do
reluctance
Do you think that the reluctance to learn English is just a feature of Britain?
when someone does not
want to do something
rusty
When I’m away from France, my French gets rusty.
If a skill you had is rusty,
it is not now good
because you have
forgotten it.
struggle (with sth)
I really struggle with English idioms.
to find something
difficult
subtle
There are far more subtle, ongoing language changes taking place at any given time.
not obvious or easy to notice
take hold
Words such as ‘going to’, ‘have to’, ‘need to’ and ‘want to’ are taking hold.
to start to be frequent
