Analyzing language : MEANING

1
Analyzing language MEANING

• What does a particular sentence mean ?
• How can I state the meaning as simply as I can,
  as clearly as I can, and if possible, using
  language that is itself less complex than the
  language I am trying to explain ?
• The meaning of grammar items will be dealt in the
  same
• way as vocabulary, by attempting to split the
  sentences
• up into their component concepts.

2
An EXAMPLE

• I managed to do it.
• The essential meanings are
• I tried
• It was difficult
• I succeeded.
• Consider these sentences
• I managed to win first prize
• I managed to shoot the governor
• I managed to stop crying.

3
CONCEPT QUESTIONS

• These questions focus attention on the core
  meaning. They are basically the same as the
  statements, but in the question form, with very
  simple answers yes, no, perhaps.
• Consider the concept questions for I managed to
  do it
• Did I try ? (yes)
• Was it difficult ? (yes)
• Did I succeed ? (yes)

4
Example of Concept questions

• Shes been reading since she came home.
• Is she reading now ? (yes)
• When did she start reading ? (when she came home)
• Was she reading all the time ? (yes)
• Will she stop reading now ? (perhaps I dont
  know)
• Helen used to smoke.
• Did Helen smoke ? (yes)
• On a number of occasions ? (yes)
• Regularly / Often ? (perhaps)
• Does she smoke now ? (no)

5

• The reasons for being clear about meaning are
  obvious. If the T understands what the meaning is
  and can focus on it in simple and clear ways,
  then it is obviously more useful to the Ss than
  when she explains at length, fails to pinpoint
  the essential components of meaning and uses
  complex language.
• By asking concept questions we can also establish
  whether Ss are clear about meaning
• A focus on form is useful, but it will have
  considerably less use if there is no parallel
  focus on meaning.