Standard Translatable English: A Minimal English for Teaching and Learning Invisible Culture in Language Classrooms

Sadow, Lauren

doi:10.1007/978-3-030-64077-4_6

Cited by 3 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 36 publications

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“…The term 'scripts' is used for a diverse range of texts formulated in the NSM metalanguage for purposes other than semantic explications. They include 'cultural scripts' intended to capture widespread norms, assumptions, and beliefs (Goddard & Wierzbicka, 2004;Wierzbicka, 2002), and pedagogical scripts and 'compositions' for teaching purposes (Peeters, 2021;Sadow, 2021aSadow, , 2021b. Recently, script-like texts have been used to capture discourse themes, for example, Bromhead (2021b) and Hein (2020), or cognitive models and processes, for example, Forbes (2020) and Diget and Goddard (2022).…”

Section: Background On Nsm Theory and Methodologymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This paper explores some ways in which applied semantics can inform effective communicative strategies for action on climate change, with particular reference to research in the Natural Semantic Metalanguage (NSM) approach (Goddard, 2021a;Goddard & Wierzbicka, 2014). By applied semantics we mean, in general, any application of the findings of semantic research to pursuits outside linguistics; for example, in language teaching and intercultural education (Bullock, 2014;Goddard, 2021b;Fernández & Goddard, 2019;Peeters, 2017Peeters, , 2021Sadow, 2021aSadow, , 2021b or to assist with more accessible public messaging in disaster communication, health, and other fields (Bromhead, 2021a;Diget, 2021;Diget & Goddard, 2022;Goddard, 2021c;Wierzbicka, 2018a). In the present paper, we focus on ways in which NSM findings and techniques can be used, in Penz's (2018) words, to "develop communicative strategies which help to convey the urgency of the [climate change] issue and to enhance and promote action" (p. 289).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Applied semantics and climate communication

Bromhead

Goddard

2023

ARAL

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This paper explores ways in which applied semantics (coming out of Natural Semantic Metalanguage approach) can inform effective communicative strategies for action on climate change. After framing discussion, it presents three case studies, which are intentionally disparate in nature: contrastive semantics of the expressions ‘climate crisis’, ‘climate emergency’, and ‘climate catastrophe’; a semantically-enhanced examination of how public inquiries into extreme weather events help shape climate discourse in Australia; the semantics of ‘the economy’ in everyday English and the implications for climate change discourse. We argue that climate action communication is clearer, more resonant, and more effective when it uses or builds on ordinary words and local meanings.

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Section: Background On Nsm Theory and Methodologymentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Applied semantics and climate communication

Bromhead

Goddard

2023

ARAL

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“…as well as ones specific to culture (value, attitudes, phrases). This dictionary uses a variant of minimal English for its definitions, standard translatable English (STE) (Sadow 2021). STE is a minimal English which is designed for applied contexts, with additional molecules carefully selected for the contexts and the topics included.…”

Section: The Australian Dictionary Of Invisible Culture For Teachersmentioning

confidence: 99%

NSM-based Cultural Dictionaries

Sadow

2022

Scanstudlang

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For language learners, the transition from classroom to immersion is an exhausting and difficult one. Not least because of how language is used differently “in the real world” to how it is taught in classrooms. There are many “insider” dictionaries of language but few dictionaries which take a closer look at the important words and explain them in ways that learners can understand. Natural semantic metalanguage (NSM)’s way of defining culturally important terms and combining them with cultural scripts gives us an opportunity to go beyond the standard realm of definitions and explore the possibilities of what I am calling “cultural dictionaries”. This paper will discuss the current opening in learner lexicography to include emic cultural information. It will then discuss how NSM can contribute to such lexicographical practice. Finally, drawing on the first NSM-based cultural dictionary project—the Australian Dictionary of Invisible Culture for Teachers—it provides reflections, advice, and recommendations for future cultural dictionary projects.

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“…Lee partners linguistic explanations with cultural and attitudinal justifications for the use of the different honorifics, illustrating how the semantic and the pragmatic aspects together can function far better than complex English descriptions. Sadow (2021a) discusses the necessary adaptations of NSM for language learning contexts. Based on research with English language teachers, she proposes standard translatable English as a minimal English designed for language learning, which can be used as a Lauren Sadow Susana S. Fernández Scandinavian Studies in Language, 13(1), 2022 (53-66) 62 framework for language teachers to balance the dual needs for crosstranslatable language, and for linguistic development in their classrooms.…”

Section: Minimal Languagesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Pedagogical Pragmatics

Sadow,

Fernández

2022

Scanstudlang

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This paper presents an overview of the advances in the application of the Natural Semantic Metalanguage (NSM) methodology in the fields of second and foreign language learning and teaching, and of intercultural education. Our premise is that the NSM approach offers a valuable pedagogical contribution as a set of cross-translatable concepts that can be used in the classroom to explain both linguistic features as well as communicative and other social practices of a given language group. Pedagogical NSM is an emerging field where efforts are being made to test this approach in language education and to train teachers in applying this methodology in their daily practice. Here, we present the state of the art regarding pedagogical applications of NSM, including the construct of “cultural dictionaries” and the use of “Minimal Languages” for classroom explanations.

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Standard Translatable English: A Minimal English for Teaching and Learning Invisible Culture in Language Classrooms

Cited by 3 publications

References 36 publications

Applied semantics and climate communication

Applied semantics and climate communication

NSM-based Cultural Dictionaries

Pedagogical Pragmatics

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