Slang and Sociability
Title | Slang and Sociability PDF eBook |
Author | Connie Eble |
Publisher | UNC Press Books |
Pages | 241 |
Release | 2012-12-01 |
Genre | Language Arts & Disciplines |
ISBN | 1469610574 |
Slang is often seen as a lesser form of language, one that is simply not as meaningful or important as its 'regular' counterpart. Connie Eble refutes this notion as she reveals the sources, poetry, symbolism, and subtlety of informal slang expressions. In Slang and Sociability, Eble explores the words and phrases that American college students use casually among themselves. Based on more than 10,000 examples submitted by Eble's students at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill over the last twenty years, the book shows that slang is dynamic vocabulary that cannot be dismissed as deviant or marginal. Like more formal words and phrases, slang is created, modified, and transmitted by its users to serve their own purposes. In the case of college students, these purposes include cementing group identity and opposing authority. The book includes a glossary of the more than 1,000 slang words and phrases discussed in the text, as well as a list of the 40 most enduring terms since 1972. Examples from the glossary: group gropes -- encounter groups squirrel kisser -- environmentalist Goth -- student who dresses in black and listens to avant-garde music bad bongos -- situation in which things do not go well triangle -- person who is stupid or not up on the latest za -- pizza smoke -- to perform well dead soldier -- empty beer container toast -- in big trouble, the victim of misfortune parental units -- parents
Pejorative Suffixes and Combining Forms in English
Title | Pejorative Suffixes and Combining Forms in English PDF eBook |
Author | José A. Sánchez Fajardo |
Publisher | John Benjamins Publishing Company |
Pages | 247 |
Release | 2022-02-15 |
Genre | Language Arts & Disciplines |
ISBN | 9027258228 |
The book is a research monograph that reviews and revises the concept of linguistic pejoration, and explores the role of 15 suffixes and combining forms, such as -ie, -o, -ard, -holic, -rrhea, -itis, -porn, -ish, in the formation of English pejoratives. The examination of the inner structure of the resulting derivatives is based on an innovative methodology that encompasses the theories and approaches of Construction Morphology, Componential Analysis, and Morphopragmatics. Following the principles of this methodology, pejorative words collected from dictionaries and corpora (a total of approximately 950 words) are abstracted into generalizations (or constructional schemas) where structural and functional similarities are used to cognitively trace the ways in which negative (or derisive) meaning is connected with a specific form. Through this multifaceted methodology, my analysis showcases the fact that the universal properties of ‘diminution’, ‘excess’, ‘resemblance’, and ‘metonymization’ are what underlie the making of pejorative meaning. These generalizations, along with the schematic representations of formatives, can help linguists, or linguistics enthusiasts in general, to understand the conventions and intricacy of lexical pejoration.
The Routledge Language and Cultural Theory Reader
Title | The Routledge Language and Cultural Theory Reader PDF eBook |
Author | Lucy Burke |
Publisher | Psychology Press |
Pages | 532 |
Release | 2000 |
Genre | Art |
ISBN | 9780415186810 |
This is a core introduction to the most innovative and influential writings to have shaped and defined the relations between language, culture and cultural identity.
English Words
Title | English Words PDF eBook |
Author | Robert Stockwell |
Publisher | Cambridge University Press |
Pages | 224 |
Release | 2001-07-05 |
Genre | Language Arts & Disciplines |
ISBN | 9780521793629 |
English Words: History and Structure is concerned primarily with the learned vocabulary of English, the words borrowed from the classical languages. It surveys the historical events that define the layers of vocabulary in English, introduces some of the basic principles of linguistic analysis, and is a helpful manual for vocabulary discernment and enrichment. Exercises accompanying each chapter and further readings on recent loans and the legal and medical vocabulary of English will be available online in the near future. * Introduces students to some basic linguistic terms needed for the discussion of phonological and morphological changes accompanying word formation * Designed to lead students to a finer appreciation of their language and greater ability to recognize relationships between words and discriminate between meanings * An informative appendix discusses the history and usefulness of the best known British and American dictionaries * Online readings and exercises to deepen and strengthen knowledge acquired in the classroom
Pejoration
Title | Pejoration PDF eBook |
Author | Rita Finkbeiner |
Publisher | John Benjamins Publishing Company |
Pages | 367 |
Release | 2016-03-31 |
Genre | Language Arts & Disciplines |
ISBN | 9027267367 |
Though “pejoration” is an important notion for linguistic analysis and theory, there is still a lack of theoretical understanding and sound descriptive analysis. In this timely collection, the phenomenon of pejoration is studied from a number of angles. It contains studies from phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics and pragmatics, and deals with diverse languages and their variants. The collection will appeal to all those linguists with a genuine interest in locating pejoration at the grammar-pragmatics interface.
A history of English
Title | A history of English PDF eBook |
Author | Míša Hejná |
Publisher | Language Science Press |
Pages | 461 |
Release | 2022-06-25 |
Genre | Language Arts & Disciplines |
ISBN | 3961103461 |
Where does today’s English language come from? This book takes its readers on a journey back in time, from present-day varieties to the Old English of Beowulf and beyond. Written for students with little or no background in linguistics, and reflecting the latest scholarship, it showcases the variation and change present throughout the history of English, and includes numerous exercises and sample texts for every period. The reverse-chronological approach taken by this book sets it apart from all existing textbooks of the last fifty years. Innovative features also include its focus on variation, multilingualism and language contact, its use of texts from outside the literary canon, and its inclusion of case studies from syntax, sociophonetics and historical pragmatics.
Words and Context
Title | Words and Context PDF eBook |
Author | Ron Legarski |
Publisher | SolveForce |
Pages | 1513 |
Release | 2024-09-20 |
Genre | Language Arts & Disciplines |
ISBN |
"Words and Context: Understanding the Power of Language" is an insightful exploration of how language shapes our interactions, perceptions, and identities. This comprehensive guide delves into the intricate relationship between words and their contextual meanings, providing readers with the tools to navigate the complexities of communication in a rapidly changing world. Through a carefully structured examination of various topics—including the psychological dimensions of language, sociolinguistic variations, and the impact of technology—this book illuminates how context influences meaning and how we can effectively engage with others. Each chapter unpacks essential concepts, offering practical insights and real-world examples that make the theory accessible and applicable. Readers will discover the nuances of language processing, the role of questions in inquiry, the principles of rhetoric and persuasion, and the significance of cultural contexts. The book also addresses contemporary issues like digital communication, ambiguity, and the evolving landscape of youth language and slang. Whether you're a student, educator, professional, or language enthusiast, "Words and Context" will enrich your understanding of communication and inspire you to harness the power of language in your personal and professional life. Join Ron Legarski on this enlightening journey to unlock the profound impact of words and their contextual meanings.