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4 - Working with Terminology

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 March 2021

Roger Berry
Roger Berry
Affiliation:
Lingnan University, Hong Kong
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Summary

This chapter investigates the nature and use of terminology in language teaching and asks why many teachers are wary of it. A number of important distinctions are introduced: between terminology (the technical vocabulary) and metalanguage (all language about language), between scientific and pedagogic terminology, and between transparent, opaque and iconic terms. The pros and cons of using terminology in the classroom are then discussed, with a consensus for its limited and appropriate use being proposed. Based on the author’s own research, problems such as the overuse of terminology, its inconsistent use in textbooks, and the proliferation of confusing and synonymous terms are confronted.

Keywords

Keywords: terminologymetalanguagepros and cons of terminology
Type
Chapter
Information
Doing English Grammar
Theory, Description and Practice
 , pp. 68 - 91
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2021

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  • Working with Terminology
  • Roger Berry, Lingnan University, Hong Kong
  • Book: Doing English Grammar
  • Online publication: 02 March 2021
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108325745.006
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Save book to Dropbox

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Dropbox.

  • Working with Terminology
  • Roger Berry, Lingnan University, Hong Kong
  • Book: Doing English Grammar
  • Online publication: 02 March 2021
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108325745.006
Available formats
×

Save book to Google Drive

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Google Drive.

  • Working with Terminology
  • Roger Berry, Lingnan University, Hong Kong
  • Book: Doing English Grammar
  • Online publication: 02 March 2021
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108325745.006
Available formats
×