Glossary

Authentic languageis produced by the native language users for communicative purposes in the natural settings

Classical grammaris a language theory producing a system of grammar norms derived from the written language

Cognitive linguisticsstudies the language as a tool of cognitive processes and language modelling of the real world

Communicative competenceis the knowledge needed for successful communication

Communicative linguisticsstudies the language in the process of communication

Communicative teaching methodis the way to teach languages through organised communication

Conversation analysisstudies the ways humans communicate

Descriptive approachregisters the authentic language use and selects conversational language for teaching.

Discourse analysisis the study into the cohesion, coherence and pragmatics of the text

Discourseis a piece of socially used language in a communicative setting

Frameis a stereotype in perceiving living beings, objects and processes of the real world

Grammar-translation methodis the theory of language teaching, which was based on the language analysis and deductive (rules first) presentation of grammar

Idiomis an expression with the meaning that is not obtainable from the words in it

Interactional communicationfocuses on the interpersonal relationship and keeps the social contacts

Languageis a system of arbitrary signs and rules to use them for the purpose of written and oral communication

Linguistic competenceis the innate knowledge of grammar rules that enable the language user to produce an infinite number of correct sentences.

Linguistic performanceis the use of language for communicative purposes

Mentalismstudies “universal grammar” rules in the language users’ minds

Metaphoris a figure of speech, in which a word usually denoting a thing or idea is used to denote a dissimilar thing or idea through a shift in meaning

Natural approachto teaching languages is based on exposure to the comprehensible input of the whole language (e.g. submersion)

Pragmaticsis the branch of linguistics that studies the relationship between the language and the intended communicative meaning

Prescriptive approachto grammar distinguishes between proper and improper use of the language grammar

Prototypeis an original and most common case, from which other examples, variants and exceptions are made

Psycholinguisticsstudies the language as it develops, exists and functions in the language users’ minds

Schema(plural: schemata) is prior knowledge that channels cognitive processes of an individual

Scriptis a scenario of actions known to an individual in particular situations and associated with stereotypes of perception and behaviour

Semanticsis the branch of linguistics that studies the relationship between meaning and form in the language

Sociolinguisticsstudies language varieties (individual, social, dialectal etc)

Transactional communicationfocuses on the message and on the business to be done