Cambridge English A Terminology #2

Graphology

the analysis of handwriting in an attempt to determine the writer's personality traits - google

Grammar

Has a wide meaning, but generally relates to rules for the organisation of meaning in a language.

Orthography

The part of the language concerned with letters and spelling.

Phonology

The study of the cognitive aspects of sounds and sound patterns (i.e. how we attach meaning to speech sounds).

Pragmatics

A branch of linguistics concerned with the ways in which meaning can alter according to the context of utterance.

Morphology

The study of words and the various forms they take.

Semantics

Related to the meaning of words.

Syntax

The way words are ordered in a sentence.

Semantic field

A group of words that relate to a shared area of meaning (e.g. needle, nurse and antibiotic could be grouped within the semantic field of medicine).

Antonym

A word with the opposite meaning to another word.

Archaism

A word which is no longer in everyday use, or has lost a particular meaning in current usage.

Backformation

The formation of a word from another one, from which it appears to be derived (e.g. the verb to babysit from the earlier babysitter).

Great Vowel Shift

A gradual, widespread and enduring change in the pronunciation of English vowels, occurring broadly between the period of Middle English and Early Modern English.

Inflection

Any form or change of form which distinguishes different grammatical functions of the same word (e.g. adding -s to indicate a plural form).

Morpheme

The smallest grammatical unit, from which larger ones can be formed (e.g. unwanted = un + want + ed).

Figurative language

Language which expands upon the basic or literal meaning of a word or phrase (e.g. simile or metaphor).

Hypernyms

a word with a broad meaning that more specific words fall under; a superordinate.

Hyponyms

a word of more specific meaning than a general or superordinate term applicable to it.

Idiom

Phrases generally understood in a language but which do not directly translate (e.g. I caught the train by the skin of my teeth = I only just caught the train in time).

Modification

Adding words to a head word in order to give more detail, either before (premodification) or after (postmodification).

Figurative language

Language which expands upon the basic or literal meaning of a word or phrase (e.g. simile or metaphor).

Flashback

A device by which the writer presents scenes or incidents that occurred prior to the opening scene of the work. EX.: recollection of characters, narration by characters, dream sequences, etc.

Genre

The major category into which a literary work fits. The basic divisions of literature are prose, poetry, and drama. However, genre is a flexible term; within these broad boundaries exist many subdivisions that are often called genres themselves. For example, prose can be divided into fiction (novels and short stories) or nonfiction (essays, biographies, autobiographies, etc.). ON the AP language exam, expect the majority of the passages to be from the following genres: autobiography, biography, diaries, criticism, essays, and journalistic, political, scientific, and nature writing.

Hyperbole

A figure of speech using deliberate exaggeration or overstatement. Often have a comic effect; however, a serious effect is also possible.

Imagery

The sensory details or figurative language used to describe, arouse emotion, or represent abstractions. On a physical level, imagery uses terms related to the five senses; we refer to visual, auditory, tactile, gustatory, or olfactory imagery. On a broader and deeper level, however, one image can represent more than one thing. For example, a rose may present visual imagery while also representing the color in a woman's cheeks and/or symbolizing some degree of perfection (It is the highest flower on the Great Chain of Being). An author may use complex imagery while simultaneously employing other figures of speech, especially metaphor and simile. In addition, this term can apply to the total of all the images in a work. ON the AP exam, pay attention to how an author creates imagery and to the effect of this imagery.

Irony

The contrast between what is stated explicitly and what is really meant. The difference between what appears to be and what actually is true. In general, there are three major types of irony used in language; (1) In a verbal irony, the words literally state the opposite of the writer's (or speaker's) true meaning. (2) In situational irony, events turn out the opposite of what was expected. What the characters and the readers think ought to happen. (3) In dramatic irony, facts or events are unknown to a character in a play or piece of fiction, but known to the reader, audience, or other characters in the work. Irony is used for many reasons, but frequently, it's used to create poignancy or humor.

Juxtaposition

When two words, phrases, images, ideas are placed close together or side by side for comparison or contrast.

Mood

The prevailing atmosphere or emotional aura of a work. Setting, tone, events, and language affect the mood.

Narrative

The telling of a story or an account of an event or series of events.

Oxymoron

A figure of speech composed of contradictory words or phrases, such as "wise fool," bitter-sweet, "pretty ugly," "jumbo shrimp," "cold fire"—and, as many humorists have pointed out, "military intelligence." This term does not usually appear in the multiple-choice questions, but there is a chance that you might find it in an essay. Take note of the effect that the author achieves with this term.