Functions of a Text and Language Analysis

These flashcards include key terms and definitions related to the functions of a text and language analysis, derived from the lecture notes.

Mister Pepsi

Mnemonic for remembering the six main functions of a text: Metalinguistic, Referential, Phatic, Emotive, Poetic, Conative.

Metalinguistic function

A function of language where we discuss language itself.

Referential function

A function that conveys information without embellishment.

Phatic function

A function aimed at establishing a social connection.

Emotive function

A function that expresses emotions.

Poetic function

A function that emphasizes the aesthetic dimension of language.

Conative function

A function that aims to engage the advisee, often akin to a command.

Lexeme

The smallest unit of a lexicon, which represents vocabulary.

Open class words

Content words that can accept new words.

Closed class words

Structure words that cannot accept new class words.

Concrete noun

A noun that refers to tangible objects.

Abstract noun

A noun that refers to intangible concepts or ideas.

Count noun

A noun that can be counted, such as 'cats'.

Mass noun

A noun that cannot be counted, like 'water'.

Pragmatics

The branch of linguistics that studies context-dependent aspects of language.

Transitive verb

A verb that requires a direct object, e.g., 'She ate the cookies'.

Intransitive verb

A verb that does not require a direct object, e.g., 'He sleeps'.

Auxiliary verb

A verb that accompanies the main verb to form different tenses or aspects.

Modal verb

A type of auxiliary verb that indicates modality such as possibility, necessity, or ability.

Adverb

A word that modifies a verb, adjective, or other adverb, often indicating manner, time, or place.

Pronoun

A word that replaces a noun in a sentence.

Demonstrative pronoun

Pronouns that indicate specific things, e.g., 'this', 'that'.

Relative pronoun

Pronouns that introduce relative clauses, such as 'who', 'whom', 'which'.

Compound sentence

A sentence that contains two or more independent clauses joined by conjunctions.

Complex sentence

A sentence that contains one independent clause and at least one dependent clause.

Transitive verb

A verb that requires an object to receive the action.

Ellipsis

The omission of words that are understood in context to avoid redundancy.

Syntax

The set of rules that govern the structure of sentences in a language.

Morphology

The study of the structure and form of words in a language.

Affix

A morpheme added to a word to change its meaning or grammatical function.

Free morpheme

A morpheme that can stand alone as a word.

Bound morpheme

A morpheme that must be attached to a free morpheme to convey meaning.

Initialism

An abbreviation formed from the initial letters of a phrase, pronounced as letters.

Lexical verb

A main verb that shows action.

Cohesion

The linguistic elements that connect sentences and texts logically.