Y09W23VC Word Roots — -norm/-nomin- (rule/name)

Deviating from what is considered standard, expected or typical; not conforming to accepted norms.

Word Breakdown: ab- (prefix meaning 'away from') + -norm- (root meaning 'rule' or 'standard') + -al (suffix meaning 'relating to')

Example: Critical theorists argue that labelling behaviours as "abnormal" often reflects cultural bias rather than objective standards.

Synonyms: atypical, unusual, deviant

Collocations: classified as abnormal, abnormal behaviour, clinically abnormal

To formally propose or name a person or thing for a position, award or role.

Word Breakdown: -nomin- (root meaning 'name') + -ate (suffix meaning 'to cause or bring about')

Example: The committee nominated three candidates whose work had demonstrated sustained commitment to social justice.

Synonyms: propose, put forward, name

Collocations: nominate for, formally nominate, nominate a candidate

A category, name or classification given to a group; also a recognised branch of a religion or a specific value of currency.

Word Breakdown: de- (prefix meaning 'down' or 'thoroughly') + -nomin- (root meaning 'name') + -ation (suffix forming a noun)

Example: The survey categorised responses by religious denomination, revealing significant differences in attitudes across faith communities.

Synonyms: category, classification, grouping

Collocations: religious denomination, coin denomination, specific denomination

To give special advantage or priority to a particular person, group or perspective over others.

Word family: privilege (n.), privileged (adj.)

Example: A curriculum that privileges Western canonical texts over Indigenous and multicultural literature reproduces existing inequalities.

Synonyms: favour, prioritise, elevate

Collocations: privilege certain voices, privilege the dominant, privilege one perspective

To place something at the middle or focus of attention or analysis; to make something the dominant concern.

Word family: central (adj.), centred (adj.)

Example: Critical pedagogy argues that education should centre the lived experiences of marginalised students.

Synonyms: focus on, foreground, prioritise

Collocations: centre the discussion, centre marginalised voices, centre the analysis

To bring something to the front of attention; to give it prominence in a text or argument.

Example: The playwright foregrounds the experiences of working-class women who are typically absent from mainstream theatre.

Synonyms: highlight, emphasise, draw attention to

Collocations: foreground the issue, foreground the voices, deliberately foreground

To increase the power, size or importance of something; to make a voice or message louder and more widely heard.

Word family: amplification (n.)

Example: Social media platforms have the power to amplify marginalised voices but can equally amplify misinformation.

Synonyms: increase, magnify, boost

Collocations: amplify voices, amplify the message, amplify the impact

To confirm or prove that something is legitimate, correct or worthy of recognition.

Word Breakdown: -ate (suffix meaning 'to cause or establish as')

Word family: validation (n.), valid (adj.)

Example: Including diverse perspectives in the curriculum validates the experiences of students who are too rarely represented.

Synonyms: affirm, confirm, recognise

Collocations: validate experience, validate a claim, validate the approach

Used in academic writing to identify how a text, practice or structure gives preferential treatment to one perspective over others.

Example: The narrative is told exclusively from the perspective of the wealthy landowner; this privileges one social position at the expense of all others.

Synonyms: this centres, this foregrounds, this favours

Collocations: this privileges the dominant, this privileges one reading, this privileges