English Language Arts
Grade 9
15 min
Use the correct foreign expression
Use the correct foreign expression
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1
Introduction & Learning Objectives
Learning Objectives
Identify at least ten common foreign expressions used in English texts.
Define the literal and contextual meanings of selected foreign expressions from Latin and French.
Differentiate between commonly confused pairs of expressions, particularly the Latin abbreviations 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'
Correctly integrate foreign expressions into their own writing to enhance precision and rhetorical effect.
Analyze how an author's use of a foreign expression contributes to tone and meaning in a literary passage.
Apply standard formatting conventions, such as italicization, for foreign expressions in formal writing.
Ever told someone 'bon appétit' or sent an 'RSVP' for a party? 🤔 You're already using foreign expressions to...
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Key Concepts & Vocabulary
TermDefinitionExample
Foreign ExpressionA word or phrase adopted from another language and used in English. These expressions are often used because they capture a concept for which there is no exact English equivalent.The French phrase *je ne sais quoi* is used to describe an appealing quality that is hard to put into words.
LoanwordA word from another language that has become so common in English that it is no longer considered foreign and is not italicized.Words like 'croissant' (from French), 'sushi' (from Japanese), and 'kindergarten' (from German) are now standard English words.
ItalicizationThe standard formatting used to set apart foreign expressions that have not been fully assimilated into the English language. It signals to the reader that the term...
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Key Rules & Conventions
The Italicization Rule
Italicize foreign expressions that are not yet considered common English words.
Use italics to signal to your reader that a word or phrase is from another language. Dictionaries will often note if a term is still considered foreign. When in doubt, it is generally better to italicize. For example, write *ad hoc*, not ad hoc. However, fully assimilated words like 'cliche' or 'genre' are not italicized.
The Context is Key Rule
Ensure the chosen foreign expression precisely fits the meaning, tone, and formality of your sentence.
Don't use an expression just to sound intelligent. A well-placed phrase enhances clarity; a poorly chosen one causes confusion. For example, using the legal term *pro bono* (for the public good) in a casual...
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Challenging
Read the following excerpt from a 9th grader's essay: 'The hero's journey is a *cliché*. For example, he gets a call to adventure, and he also has a mentor. The author uses this as a *pro bono* way to structure the plot, which is, *ipso facto*, unoriginal.' What is the MOST significant flaw in the use of foreign expressions in this excerpt?
A.The word 'cliché' is a loanword and should not have been italicized.
B.The phrase *pro bono* (done for free) is used incorrectly; the author likely meant a different phrase.
C.The phrase *ipso facto* (by that very fact) is used pretentiously and adds little meaning to the sentence.
D.The use of 'For example' is redundant when an abbreviation like *e.g.* could have been used.
Challenging
You are writing a thesis statement for an essay on 'The Great Gatsby.' Which revision most effectively and precisely incorporates a foreign expression to strengthen the argument?
A.In 'The Great Gatsby,' Fitzgerald critiques the American Dream, *e.g.*, the idea that wealth brings happiness.
B.Fitzgerald's critique of the American Dream in 'The Great Gatsby' is his *magnum opus* on the Jazz Age.
C.In 'The Great Gatsby,' Fitzgerald argues that the American Dream is a *mirage*, an illusion that masks a corrupt reality.
D.Fitzgerald's *de facto* argument in 'The Great Gatsby' is that the American Dream is a beautiful but unattainable illusion.
Challenging
Consider the sentence: 'The spy operated with the government's tacit approval.' If an author chose to write 'The spy operated with the government's *carte blanche*' instead, what is the most significant shift in meaning?
A.The meaning is identical, but *carte blanche* sounds more sophisticated.
B.The shift is from the government simply being aware and not objecting, to the government giving the spy explicit, full authority and permission to act as they see fit.
C.The shift is from the government giving permission, to the spy acting on a *pro bono* basis for the good of the country.
D.The shift is from the government's approval being a legal fact (*de jure*) to it being an unspoken reality (*de facto*).
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