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Linguistics/Slang

Key Concepts:

Terms in this set (59)

linguistics
He is taking a class in ___________. = the study of language
distinguish
It is hard to ________ those two sounds. = understand the difference between two or more things
constantly
Language is _________ changing. = continuing to do something all the time
express
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
misinterpreted
She __________ his silence as agreement. = to not understand the correct meaning of something that someone says or does
prescriptive
Some language teachers are very __________. = saying that some ways of speaking are wrong even though many people speak that way.
taboo
Language learners often love learning ________ words. = language or behavior that can make people angry or upset (also called 'bad words' or 'swear words')
descriptive
Linguists are usually _________ with language. = describing how language is actually spoken even though some people say it is not correct.
slang
Teenagers often use ________. = very informal language used by particular groups of people. Ex. 'hella hard' means 'very hard' in Berkeley.
idiom
"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
morphology
__________ is an aspect of linguistics that focuses on how words change form.
phonology
__________ is an aspect of linguistics that focuses on how languages are pronounced.
semantics
__________ is an aspect of linguistics that focuses on the meaning of words and phrases.
syntax
__________ 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
dialect
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
adapt
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
inappropriate
The language he used in the interview was ______. = not correct or suitable for a particular time, situation, or purpose
standard
He learned ________ Japanese and couldn't understand people from other areas= the thing that most people consider to be normal or acceptable
informal
They use _________ language when talking with friends. = relaxed and friendly without being restricted by rules of correct behavior
offensive
That was an ________ comment. = very rude or insulting and likely to upset people
fit in
People often learn languages because they want to ______. = when people in a group accept you
literal
The ________ meaning 'a piece of cake' is a sweet that you eat = the meaning of each word
idiomatic
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
context
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.
fillers
'Uh' and 'um' are common ________ in English. = sounds that people make in a conversation when they are thinking or not sure what to say
rejoinders
'Oh yeah?' or 'That's nice' are __________. = words and phrases that show your emotional reaction to something that you heard in a conversation.
phonemes
In English 'p' and 'b' are two different __________. = sounds that change the meaning of a word. Ex. pig and big.
tonal
Chinese is a ________ language. = when sounds go up and down in ways that change the meaning of a word
intonation
There is rising _________ at the end of yes/no questions in English. = the way speakers make words go high or low when speaking
stress
In the word 'happy' the ________ is on the first syllable. = the part of word that sounds long, loud, and clear
exist
That word didn't _______ 50 years ago. = to happen or be there
originally
LOL _______ meant 'laugh out loud' but now it has other meanings. = in the beginning; before things changed
came along
Many new words ________ recently. = to appear or arrive
emerge
New words and meanings ________ in every language. = to appear or come out from somewhere
respond
How did she _________. = to say or write something as a reaction to something that has been said or done
pragmatics
He is interested in _________. = the study of how words and phrases are used with special meanings in particular situations
signal
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
developing
Languages are always __________. = grow and change over time
sophisticated
Her speaking is very __________. = complicated and showing a high level of thinking
bilingual
She is _________. = speaks two languages
monolingual
Many Americans are __________. = speak only one language.
analyze
They want to __________ how the language has changed over the years. = to carefully look at the parts of something and try to understand it.
collocations
Students need to learn __________ like "go bowling" or "do exercise." = words that go together in a language
direct
Some words do not have a ________ translation in English.
syllables
'Language' has 2 __________. = the sound parts of a word; a word or part of a word which contains a single vowel sound
expression
'Make yourself at home' is a common ________ in the U.S. = a word or group of words with a particular meaning
prestige
Some accents are considered more _________ than others. = admired as one of the best and most important
preserve
Some people are trying to _________ languages. = to save something from going away or dying out
evolving
Languages are always ______. = to change changes gradually over a long period of time
widespread
Slang has become more _________ because of technology. = happening in many places or situations, or among many people
phenomenon
Texting is a recent ________ that is affecting language. = something that happens or exists in society, science, or nature
identity
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
attitude
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
disapprove
Some people _________ of new trends in language. = to think that someone or their behavior, ideas etc are bad or wrong
inevitable
Change is an ___________ part of language. = certain to happen and impossible to avoid
acceptable
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
perceive
Language can affect how we ________ the world. = notice, see, or hear things
sarcastic
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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