Hyponymy (Stein)
Activity 1
Show the learners the list of three nouns. Ask them to discuss the questions in pairs or small groups.
After a couple of minutes, reveal the focus of the lesson in the next slide: how nouns can relate to each other by being more general or specific. Use the example to demonstrate. Ask learners if they can think of any other examples. Don't worry if they struggle at this point, as they will see more throughout the lesson.
Ask learners to make notes on the new terminology as they will need it for the other activities.
Activity 2
Ask learners to read the list of nouns. For each noun, they need to supply the superordinate (or more general) word as in the example. After the learners have tried independently, use the 'Answer' buttons to share the solutions.
In the next task, learners use the drag-and-drop activity to match the subordianate to the superordinate term. Make sure they put them in this order, or they will be marked as 'incorrect'. Place the cards side-by-side to connect them and double-click to break apart.
Activity 3
Talk the learners through the next slide. We can represent the relationship of hyponymy between words graphically by drawing a hierarchy. Ask learners to copy down the example.
Next, guide learners through the instructions for the next activity. They need to create their own hierarchy using the words that will be shown in the next slide. After the leaners have tried individually, drag and drop the words to create the logically ordered hierarchy.
Solution:
Material
Metal (copper, steel, gold)
Fabric (cotton, wool, silk)
Activity 4
Next, move on to the final activity. Explain how sometimes the pattern of hyponymy is obvious from word formation. Ask learners to think of examples of subordinate words that use the word 'knife'. In the next slide, reveal the answers and accept any other suitbale responses. Complete the same activity for the word 'spoon'.
Finally, ask learners to create their own hierarchies, using the words given in the list. Use the questions at the end to discuss their work in pairs.
This lesson is adapted (with permission) from Words and Meanings: A Systematic Guide for the Teaching of English Vocabulary, by Gabriele Stein.
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Hyponymy (Stein)
Activity 1
Look at these three nouns.
What is the relationship between them? Can they be arranged into a logical order?
- Dog
- Poodle
- Animal
We can label nouns as general or specific. The specific noun is included in the general noun.
- The word animal is general while the word dog is more specific
- The word dog itself is more general than breeds of dog such as poodle or spaniel.
Can you think of more examples of this relationship between words?
We call this kind of relationship between words hyponymy.
- The general word is known as the superordinate term or hypernym.
- The specific word is known as the subordinate term or hyponym.
Let's try some activities to show you understand this idea.
Activity 2
Supply the superordinate (general) term for the list of six nouns:
For example: A dog is an animal
- A cherry is a fruit
- A daffodil is a flower
- A hammer is a tool
- A carrot is a vegetable
- A castle is a building
- A car is a vehicle
In the next activity, match the appropriate superordinate (general) with subordinate (specific) terms.
- Place the cards side-by-side to connect them and double-click to break apart.
- Make sure to put the subordinate word first, followed by the superordinate. For example: A car is a vehicle.
Activity 3
What do the words flower and tree have in common?
They are both subordinate to the word plant. They also each have their own subordinate words. We can show this relationship in a diagram called a hierarchy:
In the next slide, you will see a new set of words arranged at random. Copy them and re-arrange them into a hierarchy with the superordinate words at the top and the subordinate words at the bottom.
There should be three levels: one word at the top, two words in the middle, and six at the lowest.
Activity 4
Sometimes the pattern of hyponymy is obvious from the word formation.
Let's take the word knife for example.
How many subordinate words can you think of which use the word knife?
How many did you think of? Here are three examples:
- carving knife
- pocket knife
- steak knife
- table knife
How many can you think of for the word spoon?
How many did you think of? Here are four examples:
- soup spoon
- desert spoon
- teaspoon
Can you think of any others?
Choose one of these words, and write your own hierachy. Include at least two superordinate words, and three subordinates words for each.
- Animals
- Food
- Buildings
- Vehicles
Compare your hierarchy with a partner's. Does it make sense? Are there any words that use the same word formation?