Grade 7 Unit 7: Expressions Used in Interpersonal

Grade 7 Unit 7: Expressions Used in Interpersonal

Communication

Table of Contents

Introduction 2

Unit Objectives 2

Lesson 1: Slang and Colloquial Expressions 3 Warm-up! 3 Learn About It! 4 Check Your Understanding 10 Let’s Step Up! 10

Lesson 2: Idiomatic expressions 11 Warm-up! 11 Learn About It! 12 Check Your Understanding 14 Let’s Step Up! 16

Performance Task 17

Self-Check: How Well Did I Learn? 19

Wrap Up 20

Bibliography 21

GRADE 7 |English

UNIT 7

Expressions Used in Interpersonal Communication Language is a vehicle for communication. It continually evolves. New expressions and new words are being created by different people all over the world every day. These expressions are mostly used in everyday conversations where the type of language used is more informal or more casual. There are also times when people do not literally mean what they say. It is in these cases that our interpersonal skills and our knowledge of expressions that are usually used in everyday conversations come into play.

Unit Objectives

In this unit, you should be able to:

● distinguish between slang and colloquial expressions in conversations; ● distinguish features of colloquial language (fillers, contractions, etc.) and slang; ● use appropriate idiomatic expressions in a variety of basic interpersonal

communicative situations; ● select an appropriate colloquial or idiomatic word or expression as a substitute for

another word or expression; and ● explain the predominance of colloquial and idiomatic expression in oral

communication.

2 Copyright © 2018 Quipper Limited

Lesson 1: Slang and Colloquial Expressions

We modify the way we talk depending on the situation and people we encounter. There are certain expressions we only use with our friends and there are also certain words that we use specifically when talking to our parents or teachers. This lesson will discuss some of the expressions we use in everyday conversations.

Warm-up!

Read the following sentences. Study the underlined words. What can you say about the underlined words? Do you use them when you talk to your parents? teachers? friends? What words could you use to replace the underlined words?


Learn About It!

We use informal language when communicating in “real-life” situations. This is also the type of language we commonly use when talking to people who are close to us. It is sometimes characterized by vulgar or taboo vocabulary. Colloquialism and slang fall under this category. Colloquial expressions usually originated from a group or a community. These expressions are passed on to other communities in informal, ordinary conversations. Colloquial expressions are collectively called colloquial language. They are not acceptable in a standard English language or formal writing

Formal: I cordially invite you to the Dance on December 15. Colloquial: Hey! Wanna go to the dance?

(wanna is a colloquial expression. It is short for “going to” or “want to”)

Formal: Anyway, I really need to see you! Colloquial: Anyways! See you dude!


1. Features of Colloquialism

A. Fillers Fillers are meaningless words, phrases or sounds that show hesitation in speech. Some examples of filler words are eerr, uummm, just, basically, even, well, etc. In formal writing, filler words are omitted because they are usually unnecessary.

Your work is basically a manifestation of who you are.

In this example, the word ‘basically’ is considered a filler. Even if you remove it from the sentence, it does not affect the meaning in any way.

I was, like, doing my homework when the power supply went out.

In this example, the word “like” is used as a filler in the sentence. It is unnecessary as it does not change the meaning of the sentence.

It seems healthy, you know?

The filler in this example is the phrase “you know”. This is unnecessary in the sentence and will not give any different meaning to the sentence. B. Contractions Contractions are the shortened forms of words with the missing words usually marked by apostrophe. These includes can’t, doesn’t, isn’t, aren’t etc.

I haven’t gone to the library yet. I ain’t goin’ anywhere!

You’re in trouble.


In these examples, haven’t, ain’t, goin’, and you’re are all used as contractions. They are contractions for have not, am not, going, and you are respectively.

C. Use of Subjective Pronouns The use of me and us as subjective pronouns is a common feature of colloquialism. Take a look at the following examples:

Philip and me like cheesecake. Me is kind.

Us need to stand together.

D. Split Infinitives Split infinitive is a construction where a word or phrase comes between “to” and the verb. Look at the examples below:

He realizes that to not join the contest is also to accept defeat. I want to really show them that I am fit for the job.

Jon wants to definitely win the contest.

E. Ending sentences with a preposition There are times when prepositions are not supposed to end a sentence because the sentence can function without them. Take a look at the following examples:

“What is this bag filled with?” Where are you at? She is joining in.


Slang is a word or an expression that is not based on standard English language. It is exclusive to various groups united geographically by class, by interests, by religion, etc. It is produced largely by social groups such as racial minority communities, armed forces, rappers, political organizations, etc. rather than by individual speakers.

I have a bazillion ideas in my head. You’ve got to get some wheels soon.

This jacket is the hype right now.

In these examples, bazillion means “an infinite number of something”, wheels pertain to “car or motorcycle, and hype means famous or a gimmicky advertisement. Take a look at the following slang words and their meanings.

Slang Meaning Beg off Decline Big shot Prominent

Hype High-powered or gimmicky advertisement

Laid back easygoing Nitty-gritty the basics


Pad Apartment Take a bath To lose badly, as in business or

gambling Wimp Weak, ineffectual person

1. Features of Slang

A. Humor Slang has a humorous effect. Rhyme is usually used in American slang to get a comic effect.

bee’s knees (outstanding people or thing) razzle-dazzle (carnival)

B. Conciseness Conciseness may be attained in two ways:

1. Apocope or the loss of one or more sounds or letters at the end of the word.

vamp (vampire) fan (fanatic)

2. Substitution of an expressive monosyllable or compound monosyllables for a longer word or description.

Simp (stupid person) Veep (vice president)


C. Originality Slang can originate from a play on words used in games that are taken for other fields.

live wire – living man smoker eater – fireman think machine – brain

pickers – hands

D. Instability The vocabulary of slang is evolving. It changes through time as it is passed on. New slang emerges, making the old ones obsolete. However, some slangs have now been accepted in standard English language.

The word ‘homosexual’ has its roots firmly in the slang of the 1930’s but is now widely accepted as a standard terminology.


Check Your Understanding

Read the passage below. Classify the colloquial and slang words you see in the passage. Hi! My name’s Lucas. I am an interesting boy, you see. I like sports a lot! I don’t like being a couch potato. I am a laid back person despite my diligence. I like to hang out with my friends after school and pig out. Someday, I see myself as the first Filipino to actually become an astronaut because I am a big fan of Neil Armstrong. That’s why I study hard. Well, enough ‘bout me. See ya.

Colloquial Slang

Let’s Step Up!


Lesson 2: Idiomatic expressions

There are expressions in the English language that you shouldn’t take literally. When someone tells you, “you are the apple of my eye,” it does not mean that you are really a fruit. When someone says “It’s raining cats and dogs” it does not mean that dogs and cats are falling from the sky. These are just expressions that we use in our everyday conversations.

Warm-up!

Compare the sentences under Column A and Column B. What did you notice? Share your observation with your classmates.

Column A Column B The crowd is getting out of hand. I don’t know

what to do. The crowd is out of control. I don’t

know what to do. We have an upcoming program. You should get

your act together. We have an upcoming program. You

should work better or leave. If you listen attentively, you’ll realize that the

topic is not rocket science. If you listen attentively, you’ll realize

that the topic is not complicated.


Learn About It!

An idiom has a figurative meaning. This means it is an expression which has a meaning different from its original one and cannot be taken literally. It has been estimated that there are at least 25, 000 idiomatic expressions in the English language. The use of idioms is common that understanding these expressions has become essential to successful communication. Look at the example below:

Literal: We have to deliver the goods tomorrow before 12

Idiomatic: I have entrusted the program to the organizers. I hope they

deliver the goods.

In this example, ‘deliver the goods’ is an idiomatic expression which means ‘do what is expected or promised’. Below is a conversation showing the use of idiomatic expressions:

Marie: I need to hit the sack in a few hours. Let’s go home. Danica: This event happens once in a blue moon. I’ll stay here for a few more. Marie: All right then. Take care.


Notice that Marie used the idiom “hit the sack”. This is an idiom which means ‘to go to bed’. On the other hand, Danica mentioned the idiom “once in a blue moon” which means ‘happens rarely’. Here are some common idiomatic expressions:

Idiomatic Expression Meaning Back to the drawing board To start all over

Beat around the bush Avoid the topic Build castles in the air Make plans that never come true By leaps and bounds Rapidly

Costs an arm and a leg Very expensive Give the benefit of the doubt Believe in someone even without

proof It takes two to tango It needs more than one

person to do something Keep head above water Try to survive Like a fish out of water Out of one’s league or area of

experience or knowledge On cloud nine Very happy Out of thin air Out of nowhere or out of nothing

Set the world on fire To succeed and make a name for yourself

Whole nine yards Everything or all of something Take a look at the following examples of sentences with idiomatic expressions:

I feel like I’m on cloud nine after winning the contest.

The subject in the sentence has won a contest and feels very happy about it. Therefore, the idiom on cloud nine was used to express the subject is very happy about it.


Because the first plan failed, it’s back to the drawing board for us.

In this example, the speaker feels that they need to start again after their failed plan. The idiom back to the drawing board expresses that they need to start over.

In order for this to work successfully, it takes two to tango.

Doing the work, according to the speaker needs two people. The idiom it takes two to tango suggests that it will take more than one person to do the work.

Check Your Understanding

Read the sentences below. Take note of the underlined idiomatic expressions. Write the letter of its correct meaning on the blank before the number. A. attract one’s attention B. to write to someone C. a mild punishment D. in the same position/situation


E. unpredictable _____ 1. “I haven’t written to my best friend a long time. I better drop her a line tomorrow,” Janna said. _____ 2. We do not know what he will do next. He is a loose canon. _____ 3. Although he broke the rules, he was only given a slap on the wrist. _____ 4. We have to help each other in this task for we are all on the same boat. _____ 5. This morning I tried hard to catch her eye but she did not notice me.

Complete the following statements with the correct idiomatic expression. Write the letter of your answer on the blank.

A. state of the art B. at the eleventh hour C. dolled up D. rubs me the wrong way E. hit the hay

_____1. Annie was all _______________ for the event at the hotel. _____ 2. "Yes, I got the work done in time. I finished it _______________, but I wasn't late. _____ 3.”I’m usually patient with my brother but right now, he _______________. _____ 4. The company is very proud of its _______________ equipment. _____ 5. I really have to _______________, I'm going to be busy tomorrow.

Use the following idiomatic expressions in sentences. The meaning is found inside the parenthesis.

1. All bark and no bite (Being threatening in words but lacks action) ____________________________________________________________________________________

2. At the drop of a hat (do something right away) ____________________________________________________________________________________

3. Blessing in disguise (something initially bad but turned into something good)


____________________________________________________________________________________ 4. cut to the chase (go straight to the main point)

____________________________________________________________________________________ 5. Hit the nail on the head (do or say exactly the correct thing)

____________________________________________________________________________________

Let’s Step Up!


Performance Task

Anti-Bullying Campaign

Goal Your task is to make a short video

Presentation for the upcoming Student Awareness Week.

Role You are a student who is against bullying and you want to make a video about the bad effects of bullying and how to stop it.

Audience Your audience are your fellow

students. Situation The challenge involves touching the hearts of your viewers to make

them stop or prevent bullying in schools.

Product / Performance and Purpose

1. Form a group with nine members.

2. Assign tasks to each group member (actors, script writers and cameramen)

3. Conceptualize the content of your video. You are free to exercise your creativity. The video should at least be 3 minutes long. The maximum is five minutes. The suggested contents for the video are the following:

A. Acting out some scenes where bullying is shown and showing ways to prevent them.

B. Including some data and statistics of bullying in other countries. C. Creating a music video D. Asking people to share their personal experiences with bullying.

4. The script of the video should contain 5 idiomatic expressions and 5 slang

expressions.


Standards and Criteria for Success You will be judged based on the following rubric.

Criteria Beginning (0-12 points)

Developing (13-16 points)

Accomplished (17-20 points)

Score

Content (Focus on details/events are clearly evident; it is clearly related to the topic.)

Organization (Logical progression of details/events; clear transitions between ideas.)

Language (spelling, mechanics, grammar and usage)

Creativity The video is slightly creative

The concept is creative in most parts

Video concept is creative

Message Message is not properly conveyed.

Message is good and is conveyed well.

Message is very good and is conveyed well

Use of idioms and slang Use of idioms and slang needs improvement

Most of the idioms and slang are correctly used.

All slang and idioms are correctly used.

Total Score:


Self-Check: How Well Did I Learn?

Do a self-check on how well you learned the lessons in this unit. Place a checkmark in the appropriate box.

Skills I think I need more

practice and assistance

I am familiar and can perform well

with minimal assistance

I am confident that I can perform this on

my own

I can distinguish slang and colloquial expressions in conversation.

I can distinguish features of colloquial language (fillers, contractions, etc.) and slang.

I can use appropriate idiomatic expressions in a variety of basic interpersonal communicative situation.

I can select an appropriate colloquial or idiomatic word or expression as a substitute for another word or expression.


I can select an appropriate colloquial or idiomatic word or expression as a substitute for another word or expression.

Wrap Up

Colloquialism Slang Idioms

Colloquialism is an expression used in informal speech only; it is used in casual, ordinary and familiar sense rather than in formal writing

Slang is the use of highly informal words and expressions that are not standard in a speaker’s language

An idiom is a group of words with a meaning different from its literal meaning.

Features of Colloquialism: • Fillers • Contractions • Use of subjective pronouns • Infinitives • Ending sentences with preposition

Features of Slang: • Humor • Conciseness • Originality • Instability

Some examples of idioms: • back to the drawing board • build castles in the air • on cloud nine


Bibliography

Thome, Tony .2013. Blomsburg Dictionary of Contemporary Slang. London: Bloomsbury

Publishing Ltd.

Tran, Lisa. (2016). Formal versus Informal Language [blog post]. Retrieved from https://www.vcestudyguides.com/blog/formal-versus-informal-language#hero

Yanchun, Zou and Fan Yanhong . (2013, December) . A Sociolinguistic Study of American

Slang. Theory and Practice in Language Studies, 3(12). Retrieved from http://www.academypublication.com/issues/past/tpls/vol03/12/08.pdf

Recommended Links for This Unit: 100 American idioms in English speaking with Example Part 1. Youtube. Accessed February 17,

2018 . https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ck0d7_lg05k 100 American idioms in English speaking with Example Part 2. Youtube. Accessed February 17,

2018 . https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0UK2BJL3YRM 10 Common Slang Words Americans Use All the Time. Accessed February 17, 2018.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WU_Qie7reeE


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0UK2BJL3YRM

Documents

Grade 7 Unit 7: Expressions Used in Interpersonal