Paper 4 - English in the World, Metalanguage Flashcards

Lingua franca

a common language used as a form of communication

Pidgin language

A language that combines elements of all its constituent languages

Creolisation

When two or more distinct languages merge to form a new variety with its own native speakers

Linguistic imperialism / linguistic dominance

Imposing one language, usually a language associated with power and control, upon the speakers of another language

Linguistic triumphalism

Where one group of people celebrate the success of their language’s dominance at the expense of other languages

Linguistic complacency

Where a group of people have become comfortable / complacent with their language being the dominant one

Linguistic insularity

The lack of interest in any language other than your own

Linguistic Fragmentation

When the different varieties of one language split the language into mutually incomprehensible languages

Linguistic death

When a language falls into disuse and dies out as there are no remaining speakers of a language or dialect

Vulnerable (Level of language endangerment)

Most children speak the language, but it may be restricted to certain domains (e.g. home)

Definitely endangered (Level of language endangerment)

The language is no longer taught to children as their mother tongue at home

Severely endangered (Level of language endangerment)

The language is spoken by grandparents and older generations, and while the parent generation may understand it, they do not speak it to children or among themselves

Critically endangered (Level of language endangerment)

The language is spoken by grandparents and older generations, and they speak the language only partially and infrequently

Extinct (Level of language endangerment)

The language is no longer spoken

Linguistic revitalisation

When governmental agencies make efforts to ensure a language is spoken by a new generation of children who will take the language forward (adults are also encouraged to learn the endangered languages)

Language shift

The process whereby the speakers of one community change or shift over time to speaking a different language

Killer language

A dominant language which causes the extinction of other lesser-used languages

Mutual intelligibility

The need for people who speak different languages to find one which enables them to communicate as means of understanding each other

Prestige variety

A variety of language that is regarded most highly within society

Standard English

The uniform use of English grammar, syntax and lexis

Non-standard English

Regional forms of English and forms which use forms of grammar, syntax and lexis that are not judged to be socially acceptable

Received pronunciation

The accent traditionally regarded as the standard for British English

Code Switching

When a person switches between two or more languages, or two or more varieties of one language

Kachru’s Three Circles Model

A model that categorises the spread of English around the world into three egocentric circles, representing the different ways in which the language has been acquired and is currently used.

Inner Circle (Kachru’s Three Circles)

Countries where English is the primary / native language and includes the USA, UK, and Canada, where English is the first language.

Outer / Extended Circle (Kachru’s Three Circles)

Countries where English is used as an important second language, often in former British colonies, such as India, Nigeria, Malawi, and Singapore.

Expanding / Extending Circle (Kachru’s Three Circles)

Countries where English is recognised as an important foreign language, though it holds no special administrative status and is only employed for specific, limited purposes, this includes countries such as Russia, China, Japan, Greece and Poland