Linguistics/Slang

Terms in this set (59)

He is taking a class in ___________. = the study of language

It is hard to ________ those two sounds. = understand the difference between two or more things

Language is _________ changing. = continuing to do something all the time

He couldn't find the words to _________ his feelings. = to tell or show what you are feeling or thinking by using words, looks, or actions

She __________ his silence as agreement. = to not understand the correct meaning of something that someone says or does

Some language teachers are very __________. = saying that some ways of speaking are wrong even though many people speak that way.

Language learners often love learning ________ words. = language or behavior that can make people angry or upset (also called 'bad words' or 'swear words')

Linguists are usually _________ with language. = describing how language is actually spoken even though some people say it is not correct.

Teenagers often use ________. = very informal language used by particular groups of people. Ex. 'hella hard' means 'very hard' in Berkeley.

"Piece of cake" is an _________ that means something is easy. = a group of words that have a special meaning that is different from the individual words

__________ is an aspect of linguistics that focuses on how words change form.

__________ is an aspect of linguistics that focuses on how languages are pronounced.

__________ is an aspect of linguistics that focuses on the meaning of words and phrases.

__________ is an aspect of linguistics that focuses on the way words are arranged to form sentences or phrases, or the rules of grammar which control this

They speak a different _________ of English than we do. = a form of a language which is spoken only in one area, with words or grammar that are slightly different from other forms of the same language

People often make language choices to _________ to new situations. = to gradually change your behavior and attitudes in order to be successful in a new situation

The language he used in the interview was ______. = not correct or suitable for a particular time, situation, or purpose

He learned ________ Japanese and couldn't understand people from other areas= the thing that most people consider to be normal or acceptable

They use _________ language when talking with friends. = relaxed and friendly without being restricted by rules of correct behavior

That was an ________ comment. = very rude or insulting and likely to upset people

People often learn languages because they want to ______. = when people in a group accept you

The ________ meaning 'a piece of cake' is a sweet that you eat = the meaning of each word

The ________ meaning of 'a piece of cake' is that something is easy. = when a group of words has a special meaning not connected to the individual words

It is easier to understand a word in ________. = the words before and after in a sentence and/or the topic of the conversation, article, etc.

'Uh' and 'um' are common ________ in English. = sounds that people make in a conversation when they are thinking or not sure what to say

'Oh yeah?' or 'That's nice' are __________. = words and phrases that show your emotional reaction to something that you heard in a conversation.

In English 'p' and 'b' are two different __________. = sounds that change the meaning of a word. Ex. pig and big.

Chinese is a ________ language. = when sounds go up and down in ways that change the meaning of a word

There is rising _________ at the end of yes/no questions in English. = the way speakers make words go high or low when speaking

In the word 'happy' the ________ is on the first syllable. = the part of word that sounds long, loud, and clear

That word didn't _______ 50 years ago. = to happen or be there

LOL _______ meant 'laugh out loud' but now it has other meanings. = in the beginning; before things changed

Many new words ________ recently. = to appear or arrive

New words and meanings ________ in every language. = to appear or come out from somewhere

How did she _________. = to say or write something as a reaction to something that has been said or done

He is interested in _________. = the study of how words and phrases are used with special meanings in particular situations

People sometimes _________ that they want to end the conversation by saying 'Well, it was nice talking to you.' = a sound or action that communicates something

misunderstanding

There was a big _________. = when people do not understand each other

Languages are always __________. = grow and change over time

Her speaking is very __________. = complicated and showing a high level of thinking

She is _________. = speaks two languages

Many Americans are __________. = speak only one language.

They want to __________ how the language has changed over the years. = to carefully look at the parts of something and try to understand it.

Students need to learn __________ like "go bowling" or "do exercise." = words that go together in a language

Some words do not have a ________ translation in English.

'Language' has 2 __________. = the sound parts of a word; a word or part of a word which contains a single vowel sound

'Make yourself at home' is a common ________ in the U.S. = a word or group of words with a particular meaning

Some accents are considered more _________ than others. = admired as one of the best and most important

Some people are trying to _________ languages. = to save something from going away or dying out

Languages are always ______. = to change changes gradually over a long period of time

Slang has become more _________ because of technology. = happening in many places or situations, or among many people

Texting is a recent ________ that is affecting language. = something that happens or exists in society, science, or nature

Language is part of one's ________. = the qualities and attitudes that a person or group of people have, that make them different from other people

Some people have a negative ________ toward slang. = the opinions and feelings that you usually have about something, especially when this is shown in your behavior

Some people _________ of new trends in language. = to think that someone or their behavior, ideas etc are bad or wrong

Change is an ___________ part of language. = certain to happen and impossible to avoid

Most people thing that it is ___________ to say "Who did you go with?" instead of "With whom did you go." = good enough; okay to use

Language can affect how we ________ the world. = notice, see, or hear things

He said, 'Oh, that's a great idea' in a __________ way to show that he thought it was a terrible idea. = saying things that are the opposite of what you mean, in order to make an unkind joke or to show that you are annoyed

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