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What is the primary characteristic of a specialized text?
What is the primary characteristic of a specialized text?
- Use of poetic language
- Prevalence of information-carrying nouns (correct)
- Emphasis on expressive function
- High frequency of adverbs
What is the purpose of repeating technical terms in scientific language?
What is the purpose of repeating technical terms in scientific language?
- To impress the reader with technical jargon
- To create a poetic tone
- To avoid ambiguity and ensure clarity (correct)
- To add variety to the text
What is the term for the phenomenon where a single concept or item is referred to using only one word?
What is the term for the phenomenon where a single concept or item is referred to using only one word?
- Technical vocabulary
- Term density
- Linguistic jargon
- Mono-referentiality (correct)
What is the effect of high term density on the readability of a text?
What is the effect of high term density on the readability of a text?
What is the term for the use of technical language that is plausible but lacks meaning?
What is the term for the use of technical language that is plausible but lacks meaning?
What is the characteristic of technical language that is being parodied in technobabble?
What is the characteristic of technical language that is being parodied in technobabble?
What is the function of nouns in specialized texts?
What is the function of nouns in specialized texts?
What is the term for the concept that describes the number of technical terms in a text?
What is the term for the concept that describes the number of technical terms in a text?
What type of modification is used in the phrase 'panedermic semi-boloid slots'?
What type of modification is used in the phrase 'panedermic semi-boloid slots'?
What is the term for the process of creating a new word by combining two existing words, as seen in 'joystick'?
What is the term for the process of creating a new word by combining two existing words, as seen in 'joystick'?
What is the term for the process of adding a prefix to a word, as seen in 'non-reversible'?
What is the term for the process of adding a prefix to a word, as seen in 'non-reversible'?
What is the term for the process of creating a new word by adapting an existing word, as seen in 'hypothermia'?
What is the term for the process of creating a new word by adapting an existing word, as seen in 'hypothermia'?
What is the term for the process of adopting a word from another language, as seen in 'travail'?
What is the term for the process of adopting a word from another language, as seen in 'travail'?
What is the term for the density of technical terms in a text, as seen in the passage about the retroprototurboentabulator?
What is the term for the density of technical terms in a text, as seen in the passage about the retroprototurboentabulator?
What is the linguistic term for the process of creating a new word by combining an existing word with a prefix or suffix, as seen in 'xenotransplantation'?
What is the linguistic term for the process of creating a new word by combining an existing word with a prefix or suffix, as seen in 'xenotransplantation'?
What is the term for the type of language used in academic writing, as seen in the instructions on slides?
What is the term for the type of language used in academic writing, as seen in the instructions on slides?
What is the primary reason for using specialized terms in a particular domain?
What is the primary reason for using specialized terms in a particular domain?
What is likely to be the ratio of terms to core vocabulary in specialized texts?
What is likely to be the ratio of terms to core vocabulary in specialized texts?
What does the term 'trichotillomania' literally mean?
What does the term 'trichotillomania' literally mean?
What is a characteristic of lexical items representing terms in specialized language?
What is a characteristic of lexical items representing terms in specialized language?
What is a possible interpretation of the same lexical item appearing in different fields?
What is a possible interpretation of the same lexical item appearing in different fields?
What is a key feature of ESP (English for Special Purposes) vocabulary?
What is a key feature of ESP (English for Special Purposes) vocabulary?
What is the primary advantage of using terms with a specific meaning in specialized language?
What is the primary advantage of using terms with a specific meaning in specialized language?
What is a characteristic of terms in specialized language?
What is a characteristic of terms in specialized language?
Study Notes
Term Density and Specialized Language
- The higher the density of terms in a text, the more specialized and difficult to understand it will be for the lay reader.
- The more terms used, the less likely the reader is to understand the text.
- Technical language uses plausible and rule-based techniques to create new terms, making it difficult to distinguish between real and fake technical language.
Characteristics of Specialized Texts
- High number of terms and noun density (more information-carrying nouns than other parts of speech)
- Repetition of terms is common to ensure clarity and avoid ambiguity
- Mono-referentiality: using a single word to refer to a concept or item, without synonyms
Terminology Centrality
- Terminology is central to specialized discourse, and its importance should be appreciated
- In scientific language, terms are used to convey specific meanings and concepts
Word Formation Mechanisms
- Examples of word formation mechanisms:
- Trichotillomania: derivation from Greek roots and suffix
- Hypothermia: affixation
- Ozone layer: compounding
- Travail: borrowing
- Xenotransplantation: affixation
- Joystick, gamepad, joypad: borrowing
Lexical Features of ESP
- Non-arbitrariness: terms are chosen based on reasons and enable understanding of components
- Terms can have different meanings across different fields
- Lexical items can represent different terminological concepts in different fields
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Description
This quiz explores the relationship between language, understanding, and specialized texts. It discusses the role of density of terms and the impact on reader comprehension.