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Speaking, writing and reading are integral to everyday life, where language is the primary tool for expression and communication. Studying how people use language – what words and phrases they unconsciously choose and combine – can help us better understand ourselves and why we behave the way we do.
Linguistics scholars seek to determine what is unique and universal about the language we use, how it is acquired and the ways it changes over time. They consider language as a cultural, social and psychological phenomenon.
“Understanding why and how languages differ tells about the range of what is human,” said Dan Jurafsky , the Jackson Eli Reynolds Professor in Humanities and chair of the Department of Linguistics in the School of Humanities and Sciences at Stanford . “Discovering what’s universal about languages can help us understand the core of our humanity.”
The stories below represent some of the ways linguists have investigated many aspects of language, including its semantics and syntax, phonetics and phonology, and its social, psychological and computational aspects.
Understanding stereotypes
Stanford linguists and psychologists study how language is interpreted by people. Even the slightest differences in language use can correspond with biased beliefs of the speakers, according to research.
One study showed that a relatively harmless sentence, such as “girls are as good as boys at math,” can subtly perpetuate sexist stereotypes. Because of the statement’s grammatical structure, it implies that being good at math is more common or natural for boys than girls, the researchers said.
Language can play a big role in how we and others perceive the world, and linguists work to discover what words and phrases can influence us, unknowingly.
How well-meaning statements can spread stereotypes unintentionally
New Stanford research shows that sentences that frame one gender as the standard for the other can unintentionally perpetuate biases.
Algorithms reveal changes in stereotypes
New Stanford research shows that, over the past century, linguistic changes in gender and ethnic stereotypes correlated with major social movements and demographic changes in the U.S. Census data.
Exploring what an interruption is in conversation
Stanford doctoral candidate Katherine Hilton found that people perceive interruptions in conversation differently, and those perceptions differ depending on the listener’s own conversational style as well as gender.
Cops speak less respectfully to black community members
Professors Jennifer Eberhardt and Dan Jurafsky, along with other Stanford researchers, detected racial disparities in police officers’ speech after analyzing more than 100 hours of body camera footage from Oakland Police.
How other languages inform our own
People speak roughly 7,000 languages worldwide. Although there is a lot in common among languages, each one is unique, both in its structure and in the way it reflects the culture of the people who speak it.
Jurafsky said it’s important to study languages other than our own and how they develop over time because it can help scholars understand what lies at the foundation of humans’ unique way of communicating with one another.
“All this research can help us discover what it means to be human,” Jurafsky said.
Stanford PhD student documents indigenous language of Papua New Guinea
Fifth-year PhD student Kate Lindsey recently returned to the United States after a year of documenting an obscure language indigenous to the South Pacific nation.
Students explore Esperanto across Europe
In a research project spanning eight countries, two Stanford students search for Esperanto, a constructed language, against the backdrop of European populism.
Chris Manning: How computers are learning to understand language
A computer scientist discusses the evolution of computational linguistics and where it’s headed next.
Stanford research explores novel perspectives on the evolution of Spanish
Using digital tools and literature to explore the evolution of the Spanish language, Stanford researcher Cuauhtémoc García-García reveals a new historical perspective on linguistic changes in Latin America and Spain.
Language as a lens into behavior
Linguists analyze how certain speech patterns correspond to particular behaviors, including how language can impact people’s buying decisions or influence their social media use.
For example, in one research paper, a group of Stanford researchers examined the differences in how Republicans and Democrats express themselves online to better understand how a polarization of beliefs can occur on social media.
“We live in a very polarized time,” Jurafsky said. “Understanding what different groups of people say and why is the first step in determining how we can help bring people together.”
Analyzing the tweets of Republicans and Democrats
New research by Dora Demszky and colleagues examined how Republicans and Democrats express themselves online in an attempt to understand how polarization of beliefs occurs on social media.
Examining bilingual behavior of children at Texas preschool
A Stanford senior studied a group of bilingual children at a Spanish immersion preschool in Texas to understand how they distinguished between their two languages.
Predicting sales of online products from advertising language
Stanford linguist Dan Jurafsky and colleagues have found that products in Japan sell better if their advertising includes polite language and words that invoke cultural traditions or authority.
Language can help the elderly cope with the challenges of aging, says Stanford professor
By examining conversations of elderly Japanese women, linguist Yoshiko Matsumoto uncovers language techniques that help people move past traumatic events and regain a sense of normalcy.
The Most Important Language Features That You Should Know
Esl , learn english.
Table of Contents
Language features are your functional skills and your proficiency in English depends on them. Unravel the secrets of getting better grades in English and to become an effective communicator.
Have you ever read an English article or read a social media post and said,” Wow, that was such a fantastic piece of writing!” Or wondered why you aren’t scoring well in your English language papers? Chances are, you aren’t employing the language features appropriately. If you do not understand the language features, the text structures and how to engage with them, you have come to the right blog!
What are Language Features in English?
A word or expression that adds meaning to your language, improves its quality or enhances your expression is called a language feature. It can be a noun, an adjective, a figure of speech, a particular word or a sentence structure. The choice of a language expression depends on the type of text you are writing, the audience you are writing it for, the topic, etc.
There are many language features in the English language; necessary functional skills. But, wait! Before you think you can’t cope with a long list of them, let us assure you that most of these features you are already aware of, and many are easy to use.
Diving deep into the world of ‘language features examples’ is like unlocking a treasure chest of linguistic gems. Beyond basic grammar and vocabulary lies a universe where words play, dance, and sing! For example , onomatopoeia makes our language echo with sounds, turning ‘buzz’ and ‘bang’ into audible illustrations. Alliteration, another fun example, gives us catchy phrases like ‘Peter Piper picked’, making them roll off the tongue effortlessly. These ‘language features examples’ aren’t mere decorative tools; they breathe life and rhythm into our communications. Whether you’re a student penning an essay or just spinning a yarn with friends, sprinkling these features can make your narrative truly unforgettable.
The List of Language Features
Language is a vast subject. Also, it keeps evolving. The list of language features can be a bit overwhelming, so the most appropriate ones for you have been discussed by Edulyte’s experts here. These include:
Alliteration
- Dramatic irony
Foreshadowing
Juxtaposition, onomatopoeia, personification, language features, their effects and examples.
When an event or a character in a poem, play or story represents an idea, it is called an allegory. Instead of giving the meaning clearly, the writer uses allegory to describe the thought, and the readers are to interpret it. Such a use of language features adds value to the emotion or thought.
A famous example of allegory in literature is George Orwell’s Animal Farm . A group of farm animals kick out the humans to run the farm themselves. But the underlying story is about the Russian Revolution; the pigs on the farm who take control represent Communist leaders like Stalin, Lenin, and the dogs who help the pigs represent the KGB.
Lady Larson liked lizards!
Interestingly, in the line above, all the words begin with the same sound, the sound of “l” . And this is what alliteration is, words placed together, starting with the same sounds. The poets adore it, and the writers swear by it. Alliteration gives a nice rhythm and emphasis to the writing; the readers cannot deny that it makes reading fun!
Using an indirect reference to an idea, emotion, thought, person or thing is an allusion. A writer will not explain the allusion but expect the reader to spot it and understand it. Wielded in the right way, it polishes your text structures.
I don’t trust his loyalty. He seems to be more of a Macbeth than a Samwise Gamgee.
In the example, the quality of being treacherous is conveyed by the famous Shakespearean character Macbeth and that of loyalty is highlighted by the Lord of the Rings character Samwise.
If you wish to achieve a good rank, you must work hard every day; Rome wasn’t built in a day!
And that, my friends, is an analogy! A persuasive writing language feature allows the writer to put forward arguments and ideas so that you realise them and even agree with them. It is a way to entice the readers to support your thoughts.
A tool to make your readers remember what you are saying or stress a point. Anaphora is the repetition of the first part of the sentence.
- We care for your health. We care for your well being. We care for your life.
- Here we see a repetition of the first two words in the sentences.
- This retains a reader’s attention and even gives a rhythm to your writing.
Dramatic Irony
A feature held dearly in English is the use of irony. Irony makes the reader think. How? Through irony, you use a different set of words so that their meaning is different from the actual meaning of the words. Confused? Then read the following examples:
- The top rank holder in the class failed his university entrance exam!
- People on social media discuss how useless social media is.
- It is the most appropriate feature to use when talking about life and experiences.
A feature that is in constant use by anyone writing or even speaking in English is a euphemism. For example, we use euphemisms when we employ words to express an embarrassing or unpleasant situation.
- The entire family has been under the weather : here, under the weather was used instead of “sick.”
- After learning how to drive, I bought a pre-owned car : “pre-owned” was used instead of “used” car.
Words that look or sound alike but carry different meanings are homonyms or homophones. The English language has many such words, and they can improve your writing skills and vocabulary.
- The dog barks, seeing an insect on the bark of the tree.
- Here bark has been used twice, but it holds a different meaning each time.
- The use of homonyms makes writing and reading text captivating.
As the term hints, it is related to creating an image or visual in your mind when you read a text. You can use abstract thought to talk about a person, an object, a place, an emotion or an idea. Imagination receives a boost while using this language feature.
- I had a headache due to the intense heat. My head was pounding like a drum.
- Her perfume smelt like warm melted chocolate.
Want to exaggerate an event or a character’s reaction in your writing? Hyperbole definitely will help you. As a literary device, it adds emphasis. Rhetoric writing uses it reasonably, and hyperbole also finds its place in comic, serious, and even ironic situations.
- This plate of pasta is the worst thing I have ever eaten.
- She sings like a banshee.
Sounds like a tongue twister!?! Juxtaposition is placing two or more characters, traits, actions or situations next to each other so that the reader can compare and contrast them. Interest is generated amongst readers when they are made to do so. Readers can have a clear image or illustration of your expression.
In your writing, you can find it handy to create a connection between two different thoughts or people.
- Acceptance of the social norms isolated her from her ideals.
- The radiance of the child’s smile overcame the darkness in my heart.
Derived from a Greek word, this language features uses negative terms to express a positive statement. You will come across this feature in non-fiction and rhetoric writing. Clever use of language, litotes is also in our daily conversations:
- I don’t dislike the new song by Ed Sheeran.
- Your analysis is not inaccurate.
You already read about it in school, and it does not just find its use in poetry but also real life. Metaphor uses a person, place, or action as something else. So the readers get a clear description of what you are trying to say when you include a metaphor in your writing.
- He is a sloth after lunch.
- 50% discount in H&M was a magnet for shoppers.
We are all addicted to virtual reality.
You are confused about the subject choices!
‘virtual reality’ are two words brought together with completely different meanings. So is ‘clearly confused.’ Such a use of language is called an oxymoron. It brings out the importance of a concept. And it is also entertaining; that is why many of the famous movies and series titles are examples of an oxymoron: Eyes Wide Shut, You Only Live Twice, Big Little Lies.. you can surely think of many more now.
Aristotle swore by it, as he believed that inspiring emotions among listeners would turn them in your favour. And that is what pathos does. And for that, it finds an honourable place in the advertising world. Movies bank of dialogues with pothos literary devices to sway the audience. Some famous examples are:
- I have to remind myself that some birds aren’t meant to be caged. (The Shawshank Redemption)
- Things change, friends leave. And life doesn’t stop for anybody. (The Perks of Being a Wallflower)
Rhetorical Question
Cambridge dictionary defines it as a question asked in order to make a statement that does not expect an answer. As a writer, you can make the reader pause to think over what you are trying to say. It hooks them to your text.
- Do we have another Earth? Another home?
- Who wouldn’t want to be rich?
Words can kill, and satire shows you how; it is the use of humour to express your dislike for an ideology, a situation or a person. Many movies, novels, short stories, poems and even stand up comedy are based on satire . As a writer, you can highlight a flaw or an issue and create awareness among your readers with this language feature.
To let you in on a secret… you have been exposed to it already!
From the famous play “The Importance of Being Earnest” to the series “The Simpsons” , satire makes fun of the societal norms and state.
Animation movie titles like “ Happy Feet “, a book with the name “The Giving Tree”, or Emily Dickinson writing her famous line…” The heart wants what it wants – or else it does not care” , are all examples of personification.
- As you might have guessed by now, it presents a thought or object with human emotions or portrays them as having human abilities.
- You can compel a reader to imagine or understand your concept better using this literary device.
‘Pun intended,’ we have come across sentences with this phrase. So what does it mean? A pun is a great way of using your vocabulary skills. A pun uses a word to tell something else from its actual meaning. Your writing becomes witty with this language feature. It is a play on words, many times with similar-sounding words. Newspaper headlines sport this feature regularly.
- After waiting for the football match to begin, the ball finally rolled.
- It’s no use lecturing the sheep; they have herd it before.
Another descriptive tool, a simile, compares one person, idea, or thing with another. It differs from metaphor as it sticks to using “ like ” or “ as ” while comparing.
- Her blueberry cheesecake is as good as The Cheesecake Factory’s cheesecake.
- The road meandered like a river.
The green traffic light tells you to “go.” A dollar sign symbolises “money.” That is symbolism in your everyday life. The trick is to utilise it in your writing as well. Symbolism allows you to use particular objects to signify emotion, a concept, an idea.
Your English teacher would have pointed it out: ‘you have deviated from the theme in your writing.’ The theme is the underlying idea or meaning of a writing. As a writer, you develop your writing and characters around the central idea, like “To Kill A Mockingbird ” has a theme of equality and justice, whereas “Kafka On The Shore” has metaphysical as its main theme.
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This is a language feature where the word imitates the actual sound of what it’s describing.
- Example 1: The clock ticked away the seconds.
- Example 2: Bees buzz around the flowers.
- Example 3: The bacon sizzled in the pan.
- Quote: “The buzzing bee flew away.”
This language feature provides hints or clues for what will happen later in the story.
- Example 1: A gun is shown in the first act of a play, and it goes off in the third.
- Example 2: A character coughs before a serious illness is revealed.
- Example 3: Dark clouds on the horizon suggest an impending storm.
- Quote: “A shadow flits before me, not thou but like to thee.”
A flashback interrupts the normal sequence of events to depict something that happened at an earlier time.
- Example 1: A veteran experiences a flashback to his time at war.
- Example 2: In a story, the protagonist remembers their childhood.
- Example 3: A movie starts with a character as an adult, then flashes back to their youth.
- Quote: “Memories are bullets. Some whiz by and only spook you. Others tear you open and leave you in pieces.”
This is a statement that appears contradictory but can reveal a deeper truth.
- Example 1: “Less is more.”
- Example 2: “You have to be cruel to be kind.”
- Example 3: “The enemy of my enemy is my friend.”
- Quote: “It’s weird not to be weird.”
In language features, tone is the general character or attitude conveyed in writing.
- Example 1: A cheerful tone in a letter of acceptance.
- Example 2: A serious tone in an academic paper.
- Example 3: A suspenseful tone in a mystery novel.
- Quote: “The tone of your voice often conveys more accurately what is in your mind than do your words.”
Mood: Mood is the emotional setting created through language features in a narrative.
- Example 1: A spooky mood in a ghost story.
- Example 2: A romantic mood in a love poem.
- Example 3: A hopeful mood in an inspirational speech.
- Quote: “Mood is at the heart of all literature.”
These are phrases or ideas that have been overused to the point of losing their original meaning.
- Example 1: “Time heals all wounds.”
- Example 2: “Love at first sight.”
- Example 3: “As busy as a bee.”
- Quote: “Avoid clichés like the plague.”
A recurring element that has significance in a story.
Examples of this language feature.
- 1: The colour red appearing in a movie to signify danger.
- 2: The theme of friendship in a novel.
- 3: Recurring flashbacks in a TV series to hint at a character’s past.
- Quote: “A motif is not an image, but the reappearance of an image.”
Saying something but meaning the opposite, often to mock or to convey contempt.
- Example 1: Saying “nice job” when someone makes a mistake.
- Example 2: Saying “I can’t wait to start my diet” while eating a slice of cake.
- Example 3: “You’re as clear as mud.”
- Quote: “Sarcasm: the last refuge of the imaginatively bankrupt.”
How will Language Features help me?
So you think only an English language/literature student should learn about the language features? Well, it is a misconception that you should get rid of immediately.
- As you have seen from the examples above, language features are applied to our day to day life. So a firm grasp on them improves your communication skills and makes you more confident.
- Language features can effectively deliver information and notions. For example, you can convey what you wish to an audience or a reader and make them understand your thoughts or the information.
- Language features, once mastered, are excellent support for you. They are your reliable allies in churning out well-written speeches, stories, poems, and every written text. As a result, expressions become refined, your writing becomes persuasive, and your ability to observe and write becomes sharp.
Language Features: Unlock the Magic
Welcome to our “Word Wizardry” quiz, where you get to play with words like never before! Ever wondered how writers make their words sing, their sentences soar, and their messages stick?
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Frequently Asked Questions
To find the language features in a text, you must know what they are and how to use them. Certain texts will have specific language features like a speech will have rhetoric , a poem will have metaphors and similies, etc.
That is a good question. It would be best to use them in your written and verbal communication because they make your communication effective. You can express yourself better, put forth your ideas clearly and make others comprehend your thoughts better. Also, they are a great tool to help you score well in your English language exams and tests.
The effect of language features makes the reader want to read more. You feel the impact of language features when immersed in the text and visualise everything the narrator presents. When you can feel the emotions or understand the writer’s point of view, you can clearly say that you are under the effect of the language features used in the text.
Informal language features mean the use of: nonstandard English colloquial vocabulary shorter sentence structures. less use of personal pronouns
These terms are used interchangeably. Language features enable us to present our ideas in forms: formal, persuasive essays, speech, poems, reports, etc. Language techniques are the words and phrases used in a text to emphasise the topic or a theme. Language features are the specific language techniques that an author includes to create meaning.
Satire is a term heard often in English classes. It means the use of humour to express your dislike for an ideology, a situation or a person.
A pun is a great way of using your vocabulary skills. A pun uses a word to tell something else from its actual meaning. Your writing becomes witty with this language feature.
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