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mutually intelligible
Meaning: When speakers of different varieties can understand each other.
Example: Jamaican and Indian English are mutually intelligible.
fair enough
Meaning: Used to show that something is reasonable or understandable.
Example: Fair enough, I guess I haven't defined those words.
who knows
Meaning: Used to say that the answer is uncertain or unknown.
Example: Why are Danish and Norwegian separate languages? Who knows?
national pride
Meaning: The feeling of being proud of one’s country.
Example: Countries may classify languages differently because of national pride.
avoid a topic
Meaning: To not talk about something because it is difficult or uncomfortable.
Example: The professor avoided the question of defining dialects and languages.
dialect
IPA (UK): /ˈdaɪ.ə.lekt/
IPA (US): /ˈdaɪ.ə.lekt/
Meaning: A form of a language spoken in a particular region or by a particular group.
Meaning: A form of a language spoken in a particular region or by a particular group.
Example: Chinese varieties are often called dialects even if they are not mutually intelligible.
intelligible
IPA (UK): /ɪnˈtel.ɪ.dʒə.bəl/
IPA (US): /ɪnˈtel.ə.dʒə.bəl/
Meaning: Able to be understood.
Meaning: Able to be understood.
Example: Speakers of different dialects may still be intelligible to each other.
linguist
IPA (UK): /ˈlɪŋ.ɡwɪst/
IPA (US): /ˈlɪŋ.ɡwɪst/
Meaning: A person who studies languages.
Meaning: A person who studies languages.
Example: There is an old joke among linguists about languages and dialects.
variety (of a language)
IPA (UK): /vəˈraɪ.ə.ti/
IPA (US): /vəˈraɪ.ə.ti/
Meaning: A specific form or version of a language.
Meaning: A specific form or version of a language.
Example: Jamaican English is a variety of English.
mutual intelligibility
IPA (UK): /ˈmjuː.tʃu.əl ɪnˌtel.ɪ.dʒəˈbɪl.ə.ti/
IPA (US): /ˈmjuː.tʃu.əl ɪnˌtel.ə.dʒəˈbɪl.ə.ti/
Meaning: The ability of speakers of different varieties to understand each other.
Meaning: The ability of speakers of different varieties to understand each other.
Example: Mutual intelligibility is often used to define dialects.
Other Listening Exercises
TOEFL Listening: Lectures Discussions - Test 16
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