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PE2379 ch07.qxd 24/1/02 16:08 Page 577<br />

variant n, adj<br />

see VARIABLE 1<br />

variation n<br />

also language variation<br />

differences in pronunciation, grammar, or word choice within a language.<br />

Variation in a language may be related to region (see DIALECT, REGIONAL<br />

VARIATION), to social class and/or educational background (see SOCIOLECT)<br />

or to the degree <strong>of</strong> formality <strong>of</strong> a situation in which language is used (see<br />

STYLE).<br />

see also FREE VARIATION<br />

variety n<br />

see SPEECH VARIETY<br />

velar adj<br />

describes a speech sound (a CONSONANT) which is produced by the back<br />

<strong>of</strong> the tongue touching the s<strong>of</strong>t palate (the velum) at the back <strong>of</strong> the<br />

mouth.<br />

For example, in English the /k/ in /kin/ kIn and the /g/ in /get/ get are<br />

velars, or, more precisely, velar STOPS.<br />

Because the back <strong>of</strong> the tongue is called the dorsum, these sounds are<br />

sometimes called dorsal.<br />

see also PLACE OF ARTICULATION, MANNER OF ARTICULATION<br />

velarization n<br />

in phonology, a SECONDARY ARTICULATION in which the back <strong>of</strong> the tongue<br />

is raised towards the s<strong>of</strong>t palate. In many forms <strong>of</strong> English syllable final<br />

/l/ as in hill is strongly velarized.<br />

velum n<br />

also s<strong>of</strong>t palate<br />

see PLACE OF ARTICULATION, VELAR<br />

verb<br />

Venn diagram n<br />

in teaching, a type <strong>of</strong> graphic organizer that is used to show how concepts<br />

are interrelated as well as how they are different. For example Venn diagrams<br />

might be used to compare two short stories and to show how they<br />

are alike and how they are different in plot, character, style, etc.<br />

verb n<br />

(in English) a word which, (a) occurs as part <strong>of</strong> the PREDICATE <strong>of</strong> a<br />

577

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