What Is Language?

Language analysis - GCSE English

Q2- AQA paper 1

What is language?

Quite simply, language is: words and phrases!

To score highly in this answer, you should avoid language feature spotting, instead you should concentrate on

highlighting the words and phrases that `jump out` at you! You should then think about why they have jumped out at you and how they help you with answering the exam style question.

The thinking process:

• What words and phrases jump out at me for this question`s key focus?
• Why are they jumping out at me?
• What are they suggesting/implying?
• Is there a word I can ZOOM in on?
• What connotations does this word carry?
• Can I give an alternative interpretation ( higher marks for this)
• What does this word/phrase make me think/feel/imagine?
• Does the sentence structure stick out at me? Is it listing certain things to emphasise? Is it a short sentence?

Language analysis is a `thinking process.` Once you know the thinking process, the possibilities are endless!