2014 World Languages Meet
Language Resource Center
Kutztown University
Kutztown, PA 19530
T 484-646-5865
F 610-683-4618 lrc@kutztown.edu
http://www.kutztown.edu/
LanguageResourceCenter https://www.facebook.com/KUWLM
Defcondare is a team version of Balderdash® or Fictionary. It requires refined listening skills, excellent language production skills, accurate grammar, and the ability to negotiate meaning. Teams are given challenging and potentially unfamiliar words in the target language. For each word given, the team receives the accurate definition and must develop 3 more fictitious but plausible definitions. Taking turns, one team member from the opposing team must correctly guess the definition, in order to earn points for their team.
The objective of the game is to have the other team guess an incorrect definition of the word provided, by creating fake definitions of this word that seem as though they are the true definition.
1. Before game play begins, students will select all words to be used for play and will formulate their definitions.
2. For each word, the team will be given a correct definition. Together the team develops three fictitious and plausible definitions for each word and determine the order in which they will play each word.
3. Upon the start of the event, each team takes turns trying to “stump” another team.
4. The member of the opposing team selected to answer will be given one minute to choose without consulting the other members of his/her team.
5. However, the team will have a total of 3 “saves” in which they may choose to get help. Each of these “saves” may only be used once by each team (not member).
• Poll your teammates: The teammate will poll their teammates to see which definition the majority believes to be correct.
• Eliminate an answer: The team which has given the definitions will reveal to the guessing team one definition that is incorrect.
• Phone a teammate: The guessing teammate will be allowed to ask one of their teammates what they believe the correct answer to be.
5. Once the correct definition has been guessed the next team will begin their turn.
Correct guess within one minute: 2 points awarded.
Correct guess within two minutes: 1 point awarded
Incorrect guess: team who developed definitions receives 1 point
Any violation of the rules above will forfeit the turn and the opposing team will be awarded 2 points.
The vocabulary used may consist of dialectical words, uncommon or jargon terms. These words are not expected to be part of the Advanced level students vocabulary. Example: szopelka (so-pell-kah) A Russian musical instrument similar to the oboe. (Definition are to be given in the target language) The challenge is more in producing definitions whose grammar and vocabulary are such to pass as true definitions than in guessing correctly.
• Practice grammar structures appropriate to development of definitions
• Consult dictionaries to see how definitions are written
• Play Fictionary as part of language club activities
• Have a word of the day that is fun and challenging
• Have students look at the etymology and target language dictionary definition of new and known vocabulary
• Develop collective vocabulary lists that stump and astound - each student bring one word per class