englang metalanguage flashcards

what is language?

a system of conventional spoken, signed or written symbols by means of which humans express themselves

how does variation in language occur?

through use and user, and can be influenced by social, cultural and geographical context

what is the relationship between arbitrary, conventions and language?

language is a meaning-making system that can be both arbitrary and governed by conventions

define arbitrary

based on random choice or personal whim, rather than any reason or system

define conventions

the rules and patterns in a language

define semiotics

study of signs and symbols and their use or interpretation

what is the relationship between the signifier and signified and is it considered arbitrary or conventions?

signifier - material form of the word

signified - the concept

considered arbitrary as it is based on random choice

what differentiates humans’ ability to use language to communicate

to compose thoughts into structured phrases, sentences, and paragraphs to express concepts and ideas

define context

the setting (time and place) or circumstances in which the message is communicated

define message

message being communicated

define addresser and addressee

addresser - the person delivering the message

addressee - the audience receiving the message

define contact

the means (or channel) through which the addresser and addressee communicate

define code

a system of signs (a language) common to the addresser and addressee

what are the 6 factors considered when exploring function

context, message, addresser, addressee, contact, code

the functions of language

MC PREP - metalinguistic, conative, phatic, referential, emotive, poetic

define referential

conveys information

define emotive

interprets feelings

define conative

engages the audience

define phatic

establishes a social connection

define metalinguistic

talks about language itself

define poetic

brings in the aesthetic dimension

define register

the way in which the addresser intentionally alters their language to better suit the situation

• described using semantic domain and manner of delivery

• level of formality

what is the relationship between lexicology, syntax and register

lexicology and syntax are key indicators of the register of a text

define colloquial

informal, everyday language

define tenor

the relationship between the participants communicating with each other

• determined by social status, professional role, familiarity and cultural context

• connects to level of consideration and amount of social distance

define audience

the intended set of readers or listeners

• language use depends on the age, educational level and expertise

define purpose

the many reasons a text is created

purpose study design dot points

• meeting politeness expectations

• encouraging intimacy, solidarity and equality

• establishing expertise and authority

• promoting social harmony and building rapport

• reinforcing social distance and hierarchies

• supporting in-group membership

• clarifying, manipulating or obfuscating (to confuse)

define authorial intent

what an author intends to do or achieve with a text

• influences the language used as well as the text’s level of preparedness and links to functions

purpose and authorial intent SENTENCE structure

[purpose] in order to [authorial intent]

define preparedness

how prepared the author is in the given text

what is SitC

situational and cultural context which are the many aspects of the given situation in which communication occurs

define text type

the language used in a text is shaped by the text type, such as assumed lexis or language

what are the language conventions

• syntax

• punctuation

• register

define setting

the time and place in which a communicative act occurs

• affects register, tenor, field, language

define situational context

everything outside the text (extralinguistic circumstances) that influence language use

• field, mode, setting, text type, register

define cultural context

refers to values, attitudes and beliefs of the speaker and/or audience

• attitudes, beliefs, values

define field

the topic of subject matter or expertise (broad)

• field helps to describe register

define semantic domain

words used to describe the field (narrow)

define collocation

set expression such as “taste test”

define intensifier

modifies adjectives, verbs or other adverbs to increase, decrease or emphasize intensity of the meaning