Use context as a clue to the meanings of foreign expressions

Learning Objectives Identify foreign expressions within complex English texts, often marked by italics or quotation marks. Analyze syntactic and semantic clues surrounding an unfamiliar foreign expression to hypothesize its meaning. Differentiate between various types of context clues, such as definition, synonym, antonym, and inference clues. Infer the connotative and denotative meaning of a foreign expression based on the passage's tone, purpose, and audience. Articulate a precise, context-specific definition for a foreign expression and justify their reasoning. Apply their understanding by correctly interpreting and using common foreign expressions in their own analytical writing. Ever read a novel and stumbled upon a phrase in italics like *je ne sais quoi* or *in m...

TermDefinitionExample Foreign ExpressionA word or phrase adopted from another language and used in an English sentence without being fully translated or assimilated into English. These are often italicized to signal their foreign origin.The protagonist's feeling of *Weltschmerz*, a deep sadness about the inadequacy of the real world, defined his character arc. Context CluesHints found within a sentence, paragraph, or passage that a reader can use to understand the meanings of new or unfamiliar words and phrases.In the sentence, 'The committee was formed *ad hoc*, meaning it was created for this specific, immediate purpose,' the phrase 'meaning it was created for this specific, immediate purpose' is a direct definition clue. InferenceAn educated guess or conclusion...

The Restatement/Definition Strategy Look for punctuation (commas, dashes, parentheses) or signal words ('that is,' 'in other words,' 'or') that set off a direct explanation of the foreign term. Authors often anticipate a reader's unfamiliarity and provide an immediate clarification. This is the most direct type of context clue. The Synonym/Antonym Strategy Scan the sentence or surrounding sentences for words or ideas that are either very similar to or the direct opposite of the concept suggested by the foreign expression. This strategy helps you place the foreign expression on a spectrum of meaning. If the author contrasts the term with a known concept, you can infer its opposite meaning. The General Inference Strategy Synthesize info...