A ‣ Specialist terms for talking about language

Syntax: the grammar and word order

Different languages express modality in different ways. [meanings such as possibility and necessity]

English does it with modal verbs like must, could and should.

Phonology: the sound system, i.e. pronunciation and intonation

All languages have phonemes, such as /b/ and /v/. [different sounds that distinguish meanings] English has ten diphthongs. [sounds made by combining vowels, such as /eɪ/ and /aʊ/]

Lexicon: specialised term for vocabulary

Orthography: specialised term for writing systems and spelling

The English alphabet has 26 characters. [letters or symbols] Some writing systems, such as Chinese, are not alphabetic but have pictograms or ideograms. [characters representing pictures] [characters representing ideas/concepts]

Morphology: how words are formed

In English, there are three morphemes in unthinkable: un, think and able. [units of meaning]

B ‣ Other useful words for talking about language

Many words in English are polysemous. [they have a number of different meanings] The meaning will usually be clear from its context. [the language or situation around it]

Words are often used in a metaphorical way – a way that is not literal, e.g. to see the light, meaning ‘to understand something’ rather than literally to see a light.

Language usage inevitably changes with time. [the way words are used] Some words become obsolete while new words are coined. [fall out of use] [of words, created]

Any language has a number of different registers. [style of language used in a particular situation, e.g. formal, informal] Jargon is used to describe a specific type of language that is used by a particular group of people sharing a job or interest, e.g. military jargon, computer jargon.

C ‣ Using language well or badly

Someone who uses language well can be described as articulate [able to express their ideas clearly in words] or eloquent. [able to express ideas or opinions clearly, in a way that may influence others] They may express something in a succinct way [clearly and using few words], and they may always be able to think of the mot juste. [French for ‘correct word’ – exactly the right word or phrase for a particular situation]

Someone who does not use language well can be described as inarticulate. [unable to express their ideas clearly in words] If you are speechless or lost for words, you are so surprised that you are unable to say anything. If you put your foot in it, you say something without thinking carefully and may upset or embarrass someone.