LINGUIST List 13.623

Thu Mar 7 2002

Qs: Semantics: "Literal", EFL Copy Books

Editor for this issue: Karen Milligan <karenlinguistlist.org>



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Directory

  • Sarah Kuo Moyer Stevens, Semantics: 'Literal'
  • M-S Mak, EFL copy books

    Message 1: Semantics: 'Literal'

     Date: Wed, 06 Mar 2002 20:24:28 -0700
    From: Sarah Kuo Moyer Stevens <skm4email.byu.edu>
    Subject: Semantics: 'Literal'




    I am an undergraduate student at Brigham Young University majoring in Linguistics. For part of my Honors thesis, I have decided to study the meaning of the word 'literal,' because it is a word that seems to be used often in linguistic literature and textbooks, but is rarely completely defined. I have conducted a statistical analysis on examples polled from the internet using Google as the search engine. Although this analysis is mainly focused on the current uses of the word 'literal' in mainstream language use, I am also very interested in the uses of the word in the linguistic academic setting. If you know of any paper or discussion addressing this topic, I would be very interested in it. More importantly, however, I am interested in getting the opinions of linguists. I would like to know if the word 'literal' is considered a problem word in academic circles, what its meaning is commonly held to be, and any opinions linguists might have on the use of the word. At the end of my paper, I hope to make some statements on how mainstream uses of the word affect its academic uses, but I would like to get a clearer picture of what effects they are having right now. Any other feedback, encouragement, criticism, or advice would be welcome. I will post a summary of the responses. And I will also post my conclusions in my paper at the end of the study.

    Thank you! Sarah Stevens

    Message 2: EFL copy books

     Date: Thu, 07 Mar 2002 06:37:25 +0000
    From: M-S Mak <fabasia01hotmail.com>
    Subject: EFL copy books




    Does anyone know what fonts are used and the sizes in copy books for teaching primary school EFL learners to print English letters and words. Thank you!