HSC Armenian Continuers flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Listening: main idea

The central point or purpose of a spoken text. Identify it by focusing on the introduction, repeated words, and conclusion, ignoring minor details.

Discourse marker ուրեմն

Armenian conjunction meaning 'therefore' or 'so'. It signals a logical conclusion or result, helping listeners follow the speaker's reasoning.

Register: formal vs informal

Formal Armenian uses դուք (you, polite), ողջույն (hello), խնդրեմ (please). Informal uses դու (you, singular), բարև (hi), արա՛ (do it). Register indicates relationship and context.

Numbers as distractors

In listening tasks, numbers, dates, and times are often corrected or contrasted. Listen for phrases like ոչ թե... այլ (not... but) to catch the final correct information.

Intonation in questions

Armenian questions often use rising intonation, especially yes/no questions. Wh-questions may have falling intonation. Intonation helps distinguish statements from questions.

Gender-neutral pronouns

Armenian has no grammatical gender. Նա means he, she, or it; նրանք means they. Context and names determine gender, not pronoun form.

Listening text types

Common recorded texts include phone messages, announcements, interviews, conversations, and radio segments. Each has typical structure and vocabulary.

Inference from context

When an unknown word appears, use surrounding words, cognates, and topic knowledge to guess meaning. Focus on overall message rather than every word.

Reading: skimming and scanning

Skimming means reading quickly for gist (titles, first sentences). Scanning means looking for specific details (dates, names). Use both to answer comprehension questions efficiently.

Armenian alphabet

The Armenian alphabet has 38 letters, created by Mesrop Mashtots in 405 CE. It includes unique letters like ա, բ, գ, and both print and cursive forms must be recognized.

Suffixes for word building

Common Armenian suffixes include -ություն (abstract noun), -ական (adjective), -ել/-ալ (verb infinitive), -ում (verbal noun). Recognizing them helps deduce meanings.

Cohesive devices in reading

Pronouns (այն, սա, նա), conjunctions (և, բայց, ուրեմն), and repetition link ideas across sentences. They help track referents and logical flow.

Fact vs opinion

Facts are verifiable statements; opinions express beliefs or feelings. Signal words for opinion include կարծում եմ (I think), իմ կարծիքով (in my opinion), maybe expressions of emotion.

Text purpose and type

Identify whether a text informs, persuades, entertains, or instructs. Format features (headings, bullet points, salutations) and language (formal/informal) reveal purpose.

Literary devices

Armenian literary texts may use փոխաբերություն (metaphor), համեմատություն (simile), and այլաբանություն (allegory). Recognizing them aids interpretation of tone and theme.

Reading answer format

Answer in the language specified (English or Armenian) and format (full sentence, note form). Cite evidence from the text when asked, using line references if provided.

Writing: text types

Common HSC writing tasks include informal/formal letters, emails, diary entries, articles, reports, narratives, and descriptions. Each has specific structure and register.

Armenian question mark

The Armenian question mark (՞) is placed over the stressed vowel of the question word, e.g., Ինչո՞ւ (why). It is not used at the end of the sentence like English.

Armenian exclamation mark

The Armenian exclamation mark (՜) is placed over the stressed vowel of an exclamatory word, e.g., Ա՜խ (oh!). It indicates emphasis or emotion.

Armenian full stop

The Armenian full stop (։) looks like a colon and is placed at the end of a sentence. It is called վերջակետ.

Formal letter greeting

Formal Armenian letters begin with Հարգելի՛ (Dear) followed by title and name, and end with Հարգանքով՝ (Respectfully). Use դուք and formal vocabulary.

Informal letter greeting

Informal letters use Սիրելի՛ (Dear) or Բարև (Hi), and close with phrases like Շուտով կհանդիպենք (See you soon) or Սիրով (With love).

Verb conjugations

Armenian verbs have two main conjugations: -ել and -ալ. They inflect for tense (present, past, future), person, number, and mood (indicative, imperative, conditional).

Noun cases

Armenian nouns have seven cases: nominative, genitive, dative, accusative, ablative, instrumental, locative. Prepositions govern specific cases, affecting word endings.

Writing cohesion

Use linking words such as ուրեմն (therefore), սակայն (however), բացի այդ (besides), օրինակ (for example) to connect ideas and structure paragraphs logically.

Word count in writing

Extended writing tasks typically require 150–200 words. Follow instructions precisely; being under or over may affect marks. Plan to meet the required length.

Oral: fluency strategies

Maintain flow using natural fillers (դե, ուրեմն, իհարկե), self-correct without long pauses, and paraphrase when lacking vocabulary to keep conversation going.

Armenian word stress

Stress typically falls on the final syllable of an Armenian word. Correct stress aids intelligibility and is assessed in oral examinations.

Aspirated consonants

Armenian distinguishes aspirated and unaspirated consonants: թ/տ, ք/կ, փ/պ. Mispronunciation can change meaning, so practise these pairs.

Interactive phrases

Useful oral phrases: Ներեցե՛ք (Excuse me), Կրկնե՛ք, խնդրեմ (Repeat, please), Ի՞նչ նկատի ունեք (What do you mean?). They help manage conversation.

Idiomatic expressions

Common Armenian idioms include աչքդ լույս (congratulations), բարի գալուստ (welcome), համեցեք (please/help yourself). Using them shows linguistic range.

Oral exam topics

Typical topics: family, school, hobbies, future plans, cultural events, travel, technology. Prepare opinions with reasons and examples for each.