An Introduction to Applied Linguistics

traitement
. Similar to language engineering.
turn: collective term for trends in twentieth century thought, all of which appeal to
language as the furthest point philosophy can reach.
U: the language usages of the socially powerful.
UCH: unitary competence hypothesis, the view that there is one general factor
underlying language ability.
ultimate attainment: the level of proficiency characteristic of the educated native
speaker.
unit credit scheme: a language-learning system proposed by the Council of Europe
in connection with the Threshold Levels.
universal grammar: the view that the aim of linguistics is to specify the unique form
of human grammar.
Utopianism: an unrealistic ambition to achieve an ideal social world. 
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validity: the truth value of a test, the quality that establishes whether it is measuring
what it claims to measure.
variety: a neutral term for a language code, used for dialect, register etc.
vernacular: a language variety which is local rather than official or international.
Volapuk: the creation of Johann M. Schleyer in 1879, an artificial language com -
bining features of both 
a posteriori
and a 
priori
languages.
washback: the influence of a language test on teaching and learning.
whole-word method: a method for teaching children to read by recognising whole
words.
Whorf: Benjamin Lee Whorf (1897–1946), American linguist, associated with
linguis tic determinism or relativism, the idea that the language we speak dictates
how we think.
workplace communication: the use of language in work settings, important in a
migrant situation where employment depends on language proficiency.
World Englishes: the new Englishes found in the ex-British non-settler colonies, for
example India, Nigeria, Singapore, the Caribbean.
168
Glossary
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Exercises