UNIT 4: DESCRIPTION OF

SPECIAL LANGUAGES
Unit Objectives: Students are able to:
• identify the various terms used to describe
language in ESP,
• trace the major stages in the analysis of
language,
• describe the special role of vocabulary
learning in ESP, and
• explain how special language can be
analysed and described, with particular
reference to register and genre.
 Unit 4 Sub-topics

1. Introduction
2. Concepts of special language, register,
and genre
3. Language content in syllabus
specification
4. Vocabulary
5. Form and function
6. A Theory of Language in Context for ESP
Some concepts about language
 Remember…

Whenever possible, study the ‘Big

Picture’ first to get an overall
understanding of a given topic before
you look more closely at the specific
problems, issues, etc. As Samuel
Johnson has noted in his Preface to
Shakespeare, “Particulars are not to be
examined till the whole has been
surveyed”.