Key Terminology in Language and Word Study

dependent clause

A clause that cannot stand alone.

codeswitching

Alternating between languages in conversation.

absorbed prefix

Prefix that alters a base word's meaning.

derivational relations stage

Stage where word meanings evolve through derivation.

cognate

Words in different languages with similar meanings.

adjective

Word that describes a noun's qualities.

derivational suffix

Suffix that creates a new word from a base.

comparative form

Form used to compare two entities.

adverb

Word that modifies a verb, adjective, or adverb.

deep/opaque orthography

Writing system with complex spelling rules.

African American English

Dialect with unique grammatical and phonetic features.

dialect

Regional language variation with distinct features.

affricate

Consonant that begins as a stop and releases.

complex consonant patterns

Consonant combinations that create intricate sounds.

differentiated instruction

Tailoring teaching methods to meet diverse needs.

affix

A morpheme added to a base word.

compound word

Word formed from two or more base words.

digraph

Two letters representing a single sound.

alphabet knowledge

Understanding letters and their corresponding sounds.

concept sort

Activity categorizing words based on shared attributes.

diphthong

Complex vowel sound formed by combining two vowels.

alphabetic principle

Understanding that letters represent sounds in words.

concepts of print

Understanding how written language works.

dyslexia

Learning disability affecting reading and spelling.

ambiguous vowel

Vowel that can represent multiple sounds.

conjunction

Word that connects clauses or sentences.

-ed conventions

Rules for using the past tense suffix.

assessment-instruction cycle

Process of assessing to inform teaching strategies.

consonant

Speech sound produced by obstructing airflow.

e-drop conventions

Rules for omitting 'e' in certain word forms.

assets-based approach

Focus on students' strengths and resources.

consonant alteration

Change in consonant sound due to context.

elision

Omission of a sound or syllable in speech.

assimilated prefix

Prefix that changes to match the base word.

emergent stage

Early stage of literacy development.

automaticity

Ability to perform tasks without conscious thought.

consonant blend

Two or more consonants pronounced together.

encode

Convert spoken language into written form.

base word

The simplest form of a word.

explicit instruction

Direct teaching of specific skills or concepts.

blending

Combining sounds to form words.

consonant doubling conventions

Rules for doubling consonants in spelling.

free morpheme

A morpheme that can stand alone.

bound morpheme

A morpheme that cannot stand alone.

consonant-vowel-consonant pattern

Common spelling pattern in English words.

closed sort

Categorizing words based on predetermined criteria.

gradual release of responsibility

Teaching method transitioning from teacher-led to student-led.

copula

Linking verb that connects subject and predicate.

closed syllable

Syllable ending with a consonant.

grapheme

Written representation of a phoneme.

cross-language transfer

Applying knowledge from one language to another.

coarticulation

Influence of surrounding sounds on pronunciation.

decode

Convert written text into spoken language.

morphology

Study of word structure and formation.

preposition/prepositional phrase

Word or phrase indicating relationships in space/time.

grapheme-phoneme correspondence

Relationship between written letters and spoken sounds.

morphophonemic

Study of the interaction between morphology and phonology.

preconsonantal nasals

Nasal sounds occurring before consonants.

hard c

The 'c' sound as in 'cat'.

multisyllabic

Words containing multiple syllables.

r-controlled vowel

Vowel followed by 'r' affecting its sound.

hard g

The 'g' sound as in 'go'.

noun/noun phrase

Word or group of words acting as a noun.

research-based

Practices supported by empirical evidence.

homograph

Words spelled the same but with different meanings.

onset

Initial consonant sound of a syllable.

research-tested

Practices validated through systematic investigation.

homophone

Words pronounced the same but with different meanings.

open sort

Categorizing words based on student choice.

rhyme

Repetition of similar sounds in words.

independent clause

A clause that can stand alone as a sentence.

open syllable

Syllable ending with a vowel.

rime

Vowel and any following consonants in a syllable.

inflectional ending/suffix

Suffix that modifies a word's tense or number.

orthography

The conventional spelling system of a language.

root family

Group of words sharing a common root.

invented spelling

Spelling based on phonetic understanding rather than conventions.

pattern sort

Activity categorizing words by spelling patterns.

schwa

Unaccented vowel sound in unstressed syllables.

irregular word

Word that does not follow standard spelling rules.

phoneme

Smallest unit of sound in speech.

phonemic awareness

Ability to hear and manipulate sounds in words.

segmentation

Breaking words into individual sounds or syllables.

letter

Symbol representing a phoneme in writing.

phonics

Method of teaching reading by correlating sounds with letters.

semantics

Study of meaning in language.

letter name knowledge

Understanding names and sounds of letters.

phonogram

Written representation of a phoneme or syllable.

sequential bilingual

Learning two languages in a specific order.

letter name-alphabetic stage

Stage where children learn letter names and sounds.

phonological awareness

Awareness of sound structures in spoken language.

letter recognition

Ability to identify letters visually.

shallow/transparent orthography

Writing system with straightforward spelling rules.

phonological processing

Ability to recognize and manipulate sounds in language.

letter-sound correspondence

Link between letters and their sounds.

short/lax vowel

Vowel sound produced with less tension.

phonology

Study of sound systems in languages.

linguistic discrimination

Ability to distinguish between different language sounds.

picture/sound sort

Activity matching images with corresponding sounds.

short vowel patterns/conventions

Rules governing short vowel sounds in words.