Linguistic Terminology

Definitions

• Anglophone: Anglophones are defined as people who are able to speak and understand the english language.

• Text: A text is defined as any transcribed piece of speech used to convey a desired message including the goal of improving the understanding of other Anglophonic cultures.

• Culture: Culture consists of two different meanings varying with context.

  1. The values, goals, convictions and attitudes of the people residing or originating from the named area or country.
  2. The fine arts and the appreciation demonstrated by these societies towards these art forms.

• Context: Context alludes to the situations or circumstances under which the written and by which the message or understanding of the text is defined. Context is defined by the following:

• Lingua Franca: The lingua franca of an area is defined as a language applied by a population who do not share a common native language.

• Convergence: Convergence is the accomodation and adaptation expressed by people when they come together through their common use of language.

• Linguistic Imperialism: It is the dominance of one language over others in a specific area or region

• Language Currency: It is the importance and value of a specific language economically in a given period of time.

• Motivations to Learn English: The reasoning and analysis of the necessity or want to learn english in an area is a key area of investigation. These motivations are subdivided into:

  • Integrative Motivation: The learning of a language to gain access or become part of a specific society that applies said languages.
  • Instrumental Motivation: The learning of a language to gain access to wider opportunities or to accomplish a specific goal that requires knowledge of the language.

• Language Borrowing: Language borrowing involves the transference of words into one language from another cultural language.

• Register: It is defined as the kind of language used within a text which therefore defines the formality or informality of the text.

• Colloquialisms: These are often slang or linguistic features unique to a cultural context found in informal settings.

• Linguistic Determinism: This refers to the constraints or influence of Language on the thought processes of the people in an area.

• Vernacular: It is on the contrary to a lingua franca and is language that is unique and characteristic of an area or region.

• Pitgins:Language stripped of grammar or conventions of the language. When it is established as a unique language it is know as a crayole.

• Global Language: A language may establish its foothold and influence globally through numerous methods. These reasons can broadly be divided into Colonialism, Economic Reason and Fashion & Media.

• Idiolect: Unique methods in which a person may describe, pronounce or explain a topic or subject unique to them or people in the area.

• Cultural Bias: Non objective Judgement, often done through the perspective and in bias of a specific culture and its associated practices. This often leads to increased exposure and detailing of the specific culture in a text.