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Understanding Metalanguage in Grammar

Metalanguage refers to the awareness of one's own language use, closely tied to knowledge of grammar and vocabulary. It enables individuals to identify and explain errors in sentence construction, fostering language proficiency through practice and guidance. The advantages of developing metalanguage include improved self-correction, effective communication with teachers, and enhanced confidence in language learning.

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153 views9 pages

Understanding Metalanguage in Grammar

Metalanguage refers to the awareness of one's own language use, closely tied to knowledge of grammar and vocabulary. It enables individuals to identify and explain errors in sentence construction, fostering language proficiency through practice and guidance. The advantages of developing metalanguage include improved self-correction, effective communication with teachers, and enhanced confidence in language learning.

Uploaded by

galisanaonichole32
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Metalanguage -

The awareness of one’s own


language use
Introduction
The word 'meta' means 'self-awareness'
For example, 'metacognition' means being aware
of one's own thoughts.
Metalanguage then refers to an awareness of one's
own language as it is being used.
Our metalanguage ability is directly related to our
knowledge of grammar and vocabulary since
both these form the mechanics – the bedrock –
of language.
Metalanguage in use
As an illustration, let’s read the following sentence:
“The boys is noisy and must saw the principle soon.”
Having metalanguage is to have an awareness that
something is not quite right. The way you read it, it
sounds funny. Isn't it?
There are two errors:
‘boys is’ – boys are (Subject-verb agreement) and,
‘must saw’ – must see (Modal Use)
Metalanguage explained
Metalanguage is the ability to sense that
something is wrong with a sentence
construction and explain it.
It takes proficiency in grammar – the rules on
language use – to be able to know that a
sentence is grammatically wrong and state the
reasons.
Metalanguage in use
How then is this metalanguage developed?
Through the consistent and persistent use of
language, your proficiency in it, trained and
guided by an competent user like your trainer,
increases. It bears repeating then that
metalanguage is formed and becomes highly-
refined over time after practice.
Metalanguage also involves a working knowledge
of the terms used in language. If not, the errors
you make will be nameless!
Activity
Identify and explain the errors in the following
sentences:
1) “It was great as it is fun swim.”
2) “I would never forgot what he said.”
3) “Mark never recovered and was subconscious after
the accident.”
4) “Although he is smart but he is lazy.”
5) “The passer-bys all stood and watched.”
6) “All the running and play has worn him out.”
Advantage of Metalanguage
1) It gives you a vocabulary for your mistakes so
you remember them.
2) It helps you to communicate with your teacher
as you use a standard way of explaining errors.
3) It allows self-correction, having learned the rules
of language, to identify and avoid them.
4) It forms the basis for building further knowledge
in vocabulary and grammar.
5) It builds your confidence that you are learning
the correct things in language.
Discussion
1) What do you think is the reason why students
make lots of grammar mistakes?

2) State two benefits of being proficient in


metalanguage.
In Summary
• The ability of using language accurately
according to grammar rules carries great
weightage in English Language.
• Metalanguage – or the ability to understand
one’s own use of language – is built from a
strong grasp of grammar rules.
• Good metalanguage – to be able to identify
and explain grammar errors or poor language
use – helps us in correcting our own language
mistakes.

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