Investigating language awareness : the role of terminology
Document Type
Book chapter
Source Publication
Awareness in action : the role of consciousness in language acquisition
Publication Date
1-1-2014
First Page
21
Last Page
33
Publisher
Springer International Publishing
Abstract
This chapter examines critically the way in which metalinguistic terminology has been exploited in a number of tests designed to investigate various constructs which may be loosely grouped under the heading ‘language awareness’. The concept of language awareness is first discussed and a number of tests of it involving terminology are compared. Then a number of problems with such use of terminology are discussed, namely: a failure to distinguish terminology from metalanguage, a failure to question whether any kind of metalanguage is required, a failure to distinguish scientific and pedagogic terminology, and problems with the design of the tests. These points are then applied in a critical evaluation of items from two such tests, showing above all that tests using terminology are in great danger of losing their validity, of becoming tests of terminology alone and not of language awareness. The chapter concludes with suggestions for designers of tests involving terminology.
DOI
10.1007/978-3-319-00461-7_2
Publisher Statement
Access to external full text or publisher's version may require subscription.
Additional Information
ISBN of the source publication: 9783319004617
Full-text Version
Publisher’s Version
Language
English
Recommended Citation
Berry, R. S. (2014). Investigating language awareness: The role of terminology. In Andrzej Łyda, & Konrad Szcześniak (Eds.), Awareness in action: The role of consciousness in language acquisition (pp. 21-33). Poland: Springer International Publishing. doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-00461-7_2