Inferring meaning

Two kinds of inference

Definition of infer

Infer means:

1. to derive a conclusion2. to guess or surmise

Simple example

This is Kobe Bryant after an important basketball game. What can you infer from his facial

expression?

For language learning, there are two kinds of inference that you

need to be able to make.

The first type of inference will help you guess the meanings of words or phrases

(idioms, for example) whose meanings you don’t know.

The benefit of being able to do this well is:

speed!

Example

Maria picked up the zork and began to pet it. But, the zork didn’t want to be touched. It scratched Maria and ran away.

What is a zork?

Context will help you

• A zork is small/light enough to be picked up.• A zork can be pet.• A zork can scratch (has claws).• A zork can run away.• A zork has desires.

You can conclude:

• A zork is an animal.

Example

Obama Scoffs at Libya Outcry but Vows to Act on I.R.S. Audits

Example

An exasperated President Obama on Monday called Republican criticism of his handling of the attacks in Benghazi, Libya, “a sideshow” and said that any accusation of a cover-up by his administration “defies logic.”

Another kind of inference is not related to language learning, but to logic in general.

An exasperated President Obama on Monday called Republican criticism of his handling of the attacks in Benghazi, Libya, “a sideshow” and said that any accusation of a cover-up by his administration “defies logic.”

What can we infer about the actions of Republicans?

Your turn

Use TOWM first:

Find a word you think your partner doesn’t know.

Ask him/her to infer its meaning

Your turn

Next, use one of the articles we’ve read:

Find a claim or a detail that implies something further.Ask your partner to infer meaning from the detail.