The Language Levels
Pragmatics
Latin is known as a lingua franca - a common language which acts as a bridge, enabling communication between speakes who don't share the same first language.
Euphemisms = indirect language that avoids mentioning something unpleasant or offensive, thus protecting us from taboo topics (which are off limit or forbidden).
In contrast, dysphemistic language is a direct form of language that doesnt attempt to disguise sensitive or difficult topics.
Sociolect = the dialect associated with a particular group or class.
Semantic shift = the change in the meaning of words over time.
Idiomatic language
An idiom is an expression whose meaning is npot dependant on the meaning of words it contains e.g. they have a chip on their shoulder.
Metaphors are language strategies which bring two unrelated ideas together to suggest a new way of looking at something. Metaphors are common where something is difficult to understand because it is complex or abstract.
Monosyllabic words = single syllabled words.
Disyllabic words = duo syllabled words.
Polysyllabic words = multi syllabled words.
Discourse and Pragmatics
Discourse structure is the way in which texts are organised and sequenced.
A text must be coherent or cohesive. There are many different kinds of written texts, but many of them may follow one or more structure.
Spoken Discourse Structures
When a speaker talks for an extended period we can say that they are narrating.
The sociolinguist William Labor developed a structure known as narrative categories - six key categories which appear in a narrative - generally in a set order - to analyse spoken discourse.
Narrative categories
1) ABSTRACT (A) - the indication that a narrative is about to start and the speaker wants a listener's attention.
2) ORIENTATION (O) - the who what where and why of the narrative. Set the scene by providing contextual information.
3) COMPLICATING ACTION - the main body of providing a range of narrative detail.
4) RESOLUTUON (R) - the final events to give narrative closure.
5) EVALUATION (EV) - additions to the basic story to highlight attitudes/command the listener's attention at important moments.
6) CODA (C) - a sign that the narrative is complete. May include a return to the time frame before the narrative.
Evaluations
External - added by the narrator at the time of recounting and not usually part of the seies of events.
Internal - occuring at the same time as those detailed in the complicating action - further divided to:
1)Intensifying Evaluation - contribution via gestures, repititions or dramatic sounds.
2) Explicative evaluation - providing reasons for narrative events.
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