Longman Dictionary of

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IRC n
an acronym for Internet Relay Chat, a worldwide synchronous multi-user
chat protocol that allows one to converse with others in real time. IRC is
a free downloadable program used in language classrooms for establishing
KEYPALS interested in SYNCHRONOUS communication.
irregular verb n
see REGULAR VERB
IRT n
an abbreviation for ITEM RESPONSE THEORY
ISLPR n
an abbreviation for the INTERNATIONAL SECOND LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY
RATINGS
isogloss n
a line on a map indicating the boundary of a particular linguistic theory.
A bundle of such isoglosses is often taken to indicate a DIALECT boundary.
isolating language n
also analytic language
a language in which word forms do not change, and in which grammatical
functions are shown by WORD ORDER and the use of FUNCTION WORDS.
For example, in Mandarin Chinese:
júzi wǒ chī le
orange I eat (function word
showing completion)
“I ate the orange”
wǒ chī le júzi le
I eat (function orange (function
word) word)
“I have eaten an orange”
Languages which are highly isolating include Chinese and
Vietnamese, although there is no clear-cut distinction between isolating
languages, INFLECTING LANGUAGES, and AGGLUTINATING LAN-
GUAGES. English is more isolating than many other European
languages, such as French, German, and Russian, but is also an
inflecting language.
IT n
information technology, a term referring particularly (but not limited to)
IT
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