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Can We Help?: Vanishing words: the process of language change

Video Can We Help?: Vanishing words: the process of language change

TLF ID M015518

The English language is full of strange contradictions and vanishing words. Have you ever wondered why we sometimes put words together that contradict each other, such as 'pretty awful' or 'terribly good'? If we can be 'ruthless', can we be 'ruthly' as well? Watch as Professor Kate Burridge explains these curious irregularities and some of the unusual ways in which our language has changed over time.

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Educational details

Educational value
  • This resource is available on ABC Splash
Year level

9

Topics English language Text structure Creating texts Affixes Literary devices Word meanings Literary styles Editing Language loss Imaginative texts Mood (Literary style) Literary tone Spelling Register (Language) Word formation Language evolution
Learning area
  • English

Other details

Contributors
  • Contributor
  • Name: Australian Broadcasting Corporation
  • Organization: Australian Broadcasting Corporation
  • Description: Creator
  • URL: http://www.abc.net.au
  • Name: Education Services Australia
  • Organization: Education Services Australia
  • Description: Data manager
  • Address: VIC, AUSTRALIA
  • URL: http://www.esa.edu.au/
  • Publisher
  • Name: Australian Broadcasting Corporation
  • Organization: Australian Broadcasting Corporation
  • Description: Publisher
  • URL: http://www.abc.net.au
  • Resource metadata contributed by
  • Name: Education Services Australia Ltd
  • Organisation: Education Services Australia Ltd
  • Address: AUSTRALIA
  • URL: www.esa.edu.au
Access profile
  • Generic
Learning Resource Type
  • Video
Rights
  • This Licence allows you to download, remix, alter and re-use this clip in your own creations. You can share your creations by copying, distributing and communicating to others. You must provide a credit to the ABC as follows: Vanishing words: the process of language change provided by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.