The concepts behind the conversation

Terms: U

Explore 933 linguistic terms, with definitions, examples, and connections to the bigger picture.

933 terms

TERM / DEFINITIONFOLLOW A CONNECTION

Ultimate Constituent

An ultimate constituent is one of the grammatically irreducible units that constitutes a construction .

An unbound root is a root which can occur by itself as a separate word. Another morpheme need not be affixed to it in order for it to be a word .

An unbound stem is a stem which can occur by itself as a separate word. Another morpheme need not be affixed to it in order for it to be a word .

Unbounded deixis is a distinction in place deixis that indicates the lack of a defined border.

A universal principle is something that exists everywhere; something characteristic of all languages.

An unproductive affix is a derivational affix which is no longer used to form new words.

An unratified participant is a person present at, but not a recognized participant of, a conversation or other speech event.

An unused entity is a referent referred to for the first time in the discourse, but assumed to be already a part of the addressee 's knowledge.

An upgrade is a move that is intended to strengthen a previous utterance .

A usage type is a classification for lexical units on the basis of sociolinguistic and historical factors.

An utterance is a natural unit of speech bounded by breaths or pauses. An utterance is a complete unit of talk, bounded by the speaker 's silence.

An utterance act is a speech act that consists of the verbal employment of units of expression such as words and sentences .