Semantic

Question 1

Euphemism (negotiate taboo)

Answer 1

A word or phrase that masks an unpleasant topic using mild, vague indirect language
- Main purpose is to negotiate taboo, avoid embarrassment, offence
- The greater the taboo, the more euphemisms generally exist (e.g. Death: passing away, loss, at peace, in a better place)
- Can also be used to enhance prestige of a topic or person (e.g. Canteen: the piazza, Grassy walkway: agora)

Question 2

Dysphemism (exacerbate taboo)

Answer 2

A word or phrase that takes on an unpleasant topic and makes it worse
- Main purpose is to cause offence, create humour, etc
- Usually reflects a close social distance, given the very informal and offensive language used
- (e.g. Death: Carked it, kicked the bucket)

Question 3

Puns (PALM OF SHIP patterning)

Answer 3

Form of lexical ambiguity that exploits multiple meanings for an intended humorous/rhetorical effect
- “I used to ride my bike. But it made me too tired” (two tired)

Question 4

Animation (PALM OF SHIP patterning)

Answer 4

brings inanimate objects/fictional characters to life (qualities are not always human, hence different to personification)
- “The wind howled” (referencing a dog howling)
- “The words leaped off the page” (referencing a frog leaping)

Question 5

Lexical ambiguity (PALM OF SHIP patterning)

Answer 5

Existence of two or more meanings within a word, but is distinguishable by considering context (semantic ambiguity)
- Adds layers of meanings to a text, evoke emotion, and produces comedic effect
- “She visits the bank regularly” (river bank or financial bank?)

Question 6

Metaphor (PALM OF SHIP patterning)

Answer 6

Uses one semantic domain to explain another
“Love is a battlefield” (love is challenging)

Question 7

Oxymoron (PALM OF SHIP patterning)

Answer 7

Contradictory words or phrases used in combination to create contrasting effect
- Evoke irony, humour, emphasises a paradoxical situation
- “Bittersweet”, “Virtual reality” (how can something virtual be reality?)

Question 8

Figurative language (PALM OF SHIP patterning)

Answer 8

Umbrella term of many semantic patterns (and if something does not fall under PALM OF SHIP, consider as figurative language)
- Include words/expressions that deviate from their meaning

Question 9

Similes (PALM OF SHIP patterning)

Answer 9

Compares using “like” or “as”
- “She slept like a baby”

Question 10

Hyperbole (PALM OF SHIP patterning)

Answer 10

Figure of speech that involves exaggerated statements (don’t take literally)
- “If I’ve told you once, I’ve told you a thousand times”

Question 11

Irony (PALM OF SHIP patterning)

Answer 11

States one thing but means another (sarcasm, understatement, backhanded compliments)
- “Oh great another SAC. Just what I needed” (sarcasm)
- “Slight setback” (understatement, used to refer to a calamity, euphemistic approach to a calamity)
- “That meal was lovely, much nicer than usual” (backhanded compliment)

Question 12

Personification (PALM OF SHIP patterning)

Answer 12

Pattern that attributes to human qualities, characteristics, or actions that have been applied to non-human entities or inanimate objects
- “The old house groaned” (conveys a sense of weariness)

Question 13

Semantic domain

Answer 13

Grouping of words based on shared/related meanings

Question 14

Connotation

Answer 14

Definition of a word shaped by values and associations (highly culture specific and dependent)

Question 15

Denotation

Answer 15

Definition in dictionary