A2 Language - Language Change

Task 1


Banter:
Definition of banter in English:
noun
[mass noun]

The playful and friendly exchange of teasing remarks:

there was much good-natured banter

Bitch Face
Definition of bitch face in English:
noun
informal

(Typically with reference to a woman) a scowling facial expression, especially as the natural cast of a person’s features:

I have a bitch face too! That’s why people talk to my friends first instead of me!there’s no reason to be rude and put on a bitch face when someone’s just being friendly

Wine O'clock
Definition of wine o'clock in English:
 noun
humorous

An appropriate time of day for starting to drink wine:

I just checked my watch and it’s definitely wine o’clock

Butt-Dial
Definition of butt-dial in English:
 verb (butt-dials, butt-dialling, butt-dialled; US butt-dials, butt-dialing, butt-dialed)
[with object]

Inadvertently call (someone) on a mobile phone in one’s rear trouser pocket, as a result of pressure being accidentally applied to a button or buttons on the phone:

I have had several people butt-dial me, from former girlfriends to my brother

Selfie Stick

Definition of selfie stick in English:

noun

A device in the form of a rod on which a camera or smartphone may be mounted, enabling the person holding it to take a photograph of themselves from a wider angle than if holding the camera or smartphone in their hand:

some concert venues have banned selfie sticks over fears they block the view of the stage

Bae

noun

US informal

A person’s boyfriend or girlfriend (often as a form of address):

I’m going to see my bae [as name]: Bae just made me tacoswhat’s wrong, bae?

Duck Face

Definition of duck face in English:

noun

informal

An exaggerated pouting expression in which the lips are thrust outwards, typically made by a person posing for a photograph: the pop star pursed her lips into a duck face in one shot [as modifier]: her duck face selfies

Fisho

Definition of fisho in English:

 noun

(plural fishos) Australian /NZ informal

A person who catches or sells fish: the local fishos have dropped off the best of last night’s catch

Youtuber
Definition of YouTuber in English:
 noun

A frequent user of the video-sharing website YouTube, especially someone who produces and appears in videos on the site: we’ve been seeing top YouTubers getting TV deals over the last couple of years

Cat Café

Definition of cat cafe in English:

noun

A cafe or similar establishment where people pay to interact with cats housed on the premises: she was one of many waiting in line this morning for the opening of North America’s first pop-up cat café

Task 2


Prescriptivism
Strongly Against Language Change
Definition: The attitude or belief that one variety of a language is superior to others and should be promoted as such. An ardent promoter of prescriptivism is called a prescriptivist or stickler.
A key aspect of traditional grammar, prescriptivism is characterized by a concern for "good," "proper," or "correct" usage. Contrast with descriptivism.
Strong believers in rules of grammar and think that the system should be closely followed.


Descriptivism
For Language Change
Definition: A non-judgmental approach to language that focuses on how it is actually spoken and written. Contrast with prescriptivism.
People who understand the rules of grammar but are open to new ways of language and playing around with these rules and discovering new ways of rewriting the English language.


Synchronic
Definition of synchronic in English:
adjective

Concerned with something, especially a language, as it exists at one point in time:

synchronic linguistics

The study of language given at a certain time. Current language change.

Task 3

John McWhorter TED Talk - Prescriptivist

John Humphrys- Prescriptivist

John Sutherland on Texting- Prescriptivists

David Crystal on Language - Descriptive