Accent
A distinct form of pronunciation distinguishing a particular country, region, social class, or a sector of immigrants. Each accent is characterised by contrasts in pitch, tone, stress, intonation. Mostly connected to the idea of a dialect, but particularly alluding to disparities in pronunciation.Affix (Prefix and Suffix)
Everything added to, attached to, stem word forming a new word is an affix. With the purpose of changing the meaning of a word, which leads to changes in part of speech for example; it could change a verb to a noun, an adjective to an adverb.Anglicism
A word or phrase borrowed from English into another language. Regarded as inferior or undesirable embellishments by purists, and not acknowledged into the language as loanwords. With the possibility of these words being direct loanwords. These loanwords come complete with original English spellings, for example; the French words le weekend and le software, or phonetic transcriptions like the Spanish words el líder or leader, and el fútbol or football.Compound (Portmanteau) Words
Combinations of complete or existing words, creating a new word with a single meaning are compound words. These can be words with a single meaning; for example; skinhead, breakfast, earthquake, scarecrow, pickpocket.A blending of parts, syllables or sounds from two or more distinct words, with combined means are portmanteau words. These can be; blog = web + log; brunch = breakfast + lunch; motel = motor + hotel. Regularly made by combining the first syllable or letters of one word with the final syllable of another. With the phrase portmanteau word itself was coined by Humpty Dumpty in a story by Lewis Carroll.
Creole
Creole origins originally stem from a pidgin language, but has since been taught to children. A vocabulary derived from a parent language, and often with considerable pronunciation, meaning and grammar differences.Dialect
Dialects are a variety or version of a language spoken in certain geographical areas. Each dialect is identified by its vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation, whereas a distinction made only in terms of pronunciation is usually called an accent. With each dialect of a language being recognisable and even coherent to speakers of another dialect of that language.Etymology
The examination of the birth and advancement of the form and meaning of words as part of historical linguistics. Including the establishment of the original root and source language of a word. Etymology looks at the history of the word and how its spelling and meaning has changed over time. "Comparative linguistics" is used for languages that are too old for any direct information to be available, with information being reconstructed.Inflection
Any alteration made to a word to demonstrate a grammatical relationship or category is an inflection, for example; to show the number and case of a noun, or number and tense with verbs, usually by the addition of suffixes. Grammatical endings or inflections can mark nouns as being the subject or object of a sentence, or indicate plural and possession, or they can mark the person or tense of verbs. With the inflection of verbs known as a conjugation; the inflection of nouns, adjectives and pronouns known as declension. Latin and German languages are highly inflectional; but modern English is not as inflectional, even though Old English used to be.Jargon
A specialized vocabulary of a profession, activity or hobby that people dedicate time to. Also used to convey information in a compact form, but easily excluding those totally unfamiliar with the particular specialized language of the group. It can include formal technical terminology, like that used in the medical, financial and legal fields.Language
The system is used by humans as a means of communication, and uses vocal sounds or written characters. With written language used as a secondary way of communication. Language is usually seen as a spoken or verbal phenomenon.Lingua Franca
Lingua franca is a particular language or dialect, and often adopted for ease of communication, especially in countries where many languages are in operation, for example; Africa, South-East Asia and in modern groupings such as the European Community. “Lingua franca” originates from the Italian “Frankish language”, dating back to the original Mediterranean lingua franca during the Renaissance. It was mainly Italian, although the phrase capitalises on the idea that during the Crusades the Arabs called all Europeans “Franks”.Linguistics
The scientific study of the nature, structure and variation of language and how it changes is what linguistics is. Incorporating the study of language form which is grammar, syntax and phonology, language meaning, how meaning is inferred from words and concepts, or semantics, and pragmatics how language is affected by context.Loanwords (Borrowings)
Borrowings or loanwords, taken by the speakers of one language from a different source language. With the borrowing of words going both ways. A misleading statement that implies a repaying back, but that doesn't happen in this case. Referring to foreign words that are used streamlined in the borrowing language. The English language has thousands of words deemed to be loanwords, taken from Latin, Greek, French, Scandinavian, Arabic and many other languages.Multilingualism
The ability to speak multiple languages by people or communities is the meaning of multilingualism, for example, where a country has two or three mother-tongues, bilingualism or trilingualism often develops in its population. When regularly used, it enables the country to function as a single entity. With an estimated two-thirds of the world's children growing up bilingual.Neologism
A brand new word or expression that enters the language from whichever source, or present word that obtains a new meaning or applied in a different way is a neologism. Often made by combining or blending existing words or compound words, by adding prefixes or suffixes, or by contraction or acronyms from existing words or phrases.Patois
A non-standard language is known as a patois. A term not officially defined in linguistics and can refer to pidgins, creoles and dialects. Mostly observed as an unwritten or spoken and informal dialect. With the strong creole spoken in Jamaica it is officially known as “Patwa”.Pidgin
Often called a contact language, a pidgin is a basic language that results in communication between two or more groups that do not have a common language. With many pidgins created in territories that once belonged to European colonial nations, such as in parts of the Caribbean and West Africa. Usually learned as a second language, a pidgin is not the native language of any country or community. Though some pidgin languages have become common in several countries, like West Africa.Semantics
A branch of linguistics and logic, referring to meaning. Semantics relates to sense and reference and presupposition and implication, and lexical semantics. With regard to the analysis of word meanings and relations between themSlang
Slang is the informal use of words in a language, and mainly found in speech rather than writing. Commonly limited to a particular group or context. Particular subcultures for example; skate-boarders, surfers, musicians, drug users, dealing with taboo subjects such as sex, drunkenness, bodily functions and illicit activities.Standard English
The form of accepted English at any point time in any country, as the standard norm, including grammar, vocabulary and spelling. A form of English with no local or geographical base.Synonym
A word that means precisely or nearly the same as another word of phrase in the same language.Vocabulary (Lexicon)
The body of words in a particular language that a person is familiar with and uses regularly.Word
A single unit of writing, written or spoken, usually made up of a root or stem to which affixes are attached.Share this post with your friends!
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