Year 8 - English
Exploring how a word's meaning can change over time
A history of language
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This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
In this unit, pupils explore the history of the English Language. They first learn about the development of the English Language, before using a single word and the Lord's Prayer to explore how language changes. They then plan, write and deliver a persuasive speech about a new word.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to explain how the meanings of words can change over time.
Key Notes
- Weakening is when a word is overused and loses the strength of its meaning
- Intensification is when a word acquires a stronger meaning over time
- Amelioration is when a word acquires a certain, more pleasurable meaning than it once had
- Pejoration is when a word acquires negative connotations that it did not have before
Vocabulary To Learn
- Weakening: When a word is overused and its meaning is altered this is called weakening.
- Intensification: When a word acquires a stronger meaning than it had before this is called intensification.
- Amelioration: Amelioration is when a word acquires pleasant connotations that it didn't have before.
- Pejoration: Pejoration is when a word acquires negative connotations that it didn't have before.
- Superlative: A superlative shows the highest or lowest quality of something. e.g 'best' or 'greatest'.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- That the process of amelioration and pejoration mean a word completely changes its meaning.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain this English learning goal in two key points.
Weakening is when a word is overused and loses the strength of its meaning. Intensification is when a word acquires a stronger meaning over time.
2. Define this language term and use it in a sentence. 'Weakening'
When a word is overused and its meaning is altered this is called weakening.
3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.
Mistake: That the process of amelioration and pejoration mean a word completely changes its meaning. Correction: Pejoration and amelioration refer to a word becoming more negative/positive and this does not mean the word completely changes its meaning.
More Lessons In This Unit
- A history of the English language Study Guide
- Comparing the Lord's Prayer over time Study Guide
- Creating a new word Study Guide
- Delivering a persuasive speech about a new word Study Guide
- Planning a persuasive speech about a new word Study Guide
- Reading an Anglo-Saxon Bible extract Study Guide
- Writing a persuasive speech about a new word Study Guide
Browse all guides in the Year 8 English guide library.