Key concepts

Consultez le glossaire à l'aide de cet index

Spécial | A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z | Tout

I

Incidental Acquisition / Learning

Learning something without the intention to learn it or learning one thing while intending to learn another, for example, unintentionally picking up vocabulary, patterns, or spelling through interaction, communicative activities, or reading for content or pleasure. This can be contrasted with intentional learning, for example learning by following a deliberate programme of study to enhance vocabulary or grammar.

In controlled experiments, incidental learning is usually used in a more restricted sense, operationalized as a condition in which subjects are not told in advance that they will be tested after treatment, sometimes contrasted with an intentional condition in which subjects are told what they will be tested on.

Informal Speech / Slang

Casual, very informal speech, using expressive but informal words and expressions (slang words/expressions). For some people, slang is equivalent to colloquial speech but for others, it means “undesirable speech”. Usually, “colloquial speech” refers to a speech variety used in informal situations with colleagues, friends or relatives, and “slang” is used for a very informal speech variety which often serves as an “in-group” language for a particular set of people such as teenagers, army recruits, pop groups, etc. Most slang is rather unstable as its words and expressions can change quite rapidly, for example:

Beat it! Scram! Rack off! (for “leave”)