Article
'The conversation' is a collection of descriptions of conversations, from 'The conversation that changed my life' to 'The conversation i didn't expect'. There are eight different conversation sin this article, each as moving and emotive as the last. I believe that the article was made to show people the real power of face-to-face conversation, since we are beginning to lose it to texts. The article includes conversations that have stuck with the writer's for many years, and show something that is not possible through texting. I think the aim of this was to show people that they need to put down their phone once in a while in order for things such as these to happen - you need to be in the real world to have such moving and memorable conversations. It shows the true power of conversation.
Tuesday, 15 December 2015
The Guardian - How to talk to anyone: The experts guide.
Article
This article is a collection of interviews by Rosie Ifould, in which they discuss the 'How to's' of creating conversation which several different kinds of people (from parents to doctors). In the interviews, the interviewees give tips on how to create a good and positive conversation with a certain kind of person - and how to create a good relationship with them. It seems to me that this article is put together to also highlight the affect technology has had on our ability to communicate with others - the fact that they have highlighted very basic and straight forward things shows me this, and it could also be seen as being quite humorous. The 'secrets' this panel shares seem to have become secrets because of the uprising of technology, almost saying that nobody knows how to communicate anymore.
This article is a collection of interviews by Rosie Ifould, in which they discuss the 'How to's' of creating conversation which several different kinds of people (from parents to doctors). In the interviews, the interviewees give tips on how to create a good and positive conversation with a certain kind of person - and how to create a good relationship with them. It seems to me that this article is put together to also highlight the affect technology has had on our ability to communicate with others - the fact that they have highlighted very basic and straight forward things shows me this, and it could also be seen as being quite humorous. The 'secrets' this panel shares seem to have become secrets because of the uprising of technology, almost saying that nobody knows how to communicate anymore.
The Guardian - Step away from your phone: The new rules of conversation
Article
In this article, Oliver Burkeman discusses texting in today's society - and how it has become the most used way of communication. Burkeman mentions the fact that people are beginning to text each other even when they are fact-to-face. He suggests that we are even beginning to lose our sense of empathy and feeling when we are having a face-to-face conversation and that today's society don't even know how to communicate in ways other than texting. To sum up Burkeman's ideas, 'why speak face-to-face when you can put it all in a text?'. Burkeman says that he finds it rude when people are texting when in the company of others, and mentions the games some people play when they're out for dinner to ensure that there is real time conversation. People who enjoy and take part in face-to-face conversation are becoming the minority, according to Oliver Burkeman, and he suggests that we are going to lose our real time communication completely if texting to this degree continues.
In this article, Oliver Burkeman discusses texting in today's society - and how it has become the most used way of communication. Burkeman mentions the fact that people are beginning to text each other even when they are fact-to-face. He suggests that we are even beginning to lose our sense of empathy and feeling when we are having a face-to-face conversation and that today's society don't even know how to communicate in ways other than texting. To sum up Burkeman's ideas, 'why speak face-to-face when you can put it all in a text?'. Burkeman says that he finds it rude when people are texting when in the company of others, and mentions the games some people play when they're out for dinner to ensure that there is real time conversation. People who enjoy and take part in face-to-face conversation are becoming the minority, according to Oliver Burkeman, and he suggests that we are going to lose our real time communication completely if texting to this degree continues.
Friday, 27 November 2015
Tuesday, 24 November 2015
The 3Ds
Dominance
- 'The dominance approach sees women as an oppressed group, and interprets differences in men and women's speech in terms of men's dominance and women's subordination.
- The dominance theory states we live in a patriarchal society.
- We live in a male dominated world - men dominate positions of power.
- Men dominate even though the population is 49% male and 51% female.
- Dale Spencer (1980)
- Zimmerman and West (1975)
- Jennifer Coates (1993)
- Pamela Fishman (1983)
Pamela Fishman argues in Interaction: the Work Women Do (1983) that conversation between the sexes sometimes fails, not because of anything inherent in the way women talk, but because of how men respond, or don't respond. In Conversational Insecurity (1990) Fishman questions Robin Lakoff's theories. Lakoff suggests that asking questions shows women's insecurity and hesitancy in communication, whereas Fishman looks at questions as an attribute of interactions: Women ask questions because of the power of these, not because of their personality weaknesses. Fishman also claims that in mixed-sex language interactions, men speak on average for twice as long as women.
The dominance theory uses a fairly old study of a small sample of conversations, recorded by Don Zimmerman and Candace West at the Santa Barbara campus of the University of California in 1975. The subjects of the recording were white, middle class and under 35. Zimmerman and West produce in evidence 31 segments of conversation. They report that in 11 conversations between men and women, men used 46 interruptions, but women only two.
Difference
- 'The difference approach sees women as belonging to 'different sub-cultures', who are differently socialized from childhood on wards, and who may therefore have different problems in communication as adults.'
- Deborah Tannen (1989) talks about Verbal Hygiene (1995). She argues that language is not politically correct.
- Politically correct language: Getting rid of feminine suffixes, marked forms of words are not politically incorrect e.g. 'manageress' and 'actress'.
- Tannen's views also identify differences in terms of competitiveness and cooperativeness.
Theorists who have studies into the difference theory: (Note: These studies may be outdated as they were not conducted recently and society has changed in the last 20-30 years)
- Deborah Tannen (1989)
A big advocate of this approach is Deborah Tannen. She believes the difference starts in childhood, where parents use more words about feelings to girls and use more verbs to boys. Males and females belong to difference sub-cultures and therefore speak differently.
Ann Weatherall found that:
- Women's talk is co-operative.
- Men's talk is competitive.
- Women are more likely to use hedging, "sort of" "kind of"...
- Women speak for less time and are less likely to interrupt.
- Females use more tag questions:
F: We're seeing Mum later, aren't we?
M: We're going to see Mum today.
Deficit
- 'Deborah Cameron challenges the whole idea that there are two different and contrasting languages for men and women, arguing that this is the deficit model approach (one language is inferior to the other).'
- She asks whether gender alone is at the core of individual identity - is the term genderlect more or less precise that idiolect?
- The way men and women talk in different situations may reveal the effects of dis-empowerment, or may signal the effects of other variables, including socio-economic status, education, context, peer group and even personality.
Theorists who have studies into the deficit theory: (Note: These studies may be outdated as they were not conducted recently and society has changed in the last 20-30 years)
- Deborah Cameron
- Robin Lakoff (1975)
Deborah Cameron says that wherever and whenever the matter has been investigated, men and women face normative expectations about the appropriate mode of speech for their gender. Women's verbal conduct is important in many cultures; women have been instructed in the proper ways of talking just as they have been instructed in the proper ways of dressing, in the use of cosmetics, and in other “feminine” kinds of behaviour. This acceptance of a “proper” speech style, Cameron describes (in her 1995 book of the same name) as “verbal hygiene”.
University of Bristol - Improve your writing
http://www.bristol.ac.uk/arts/exercises/grammar/grammar_tutorial/index.htm
A) Handy for revision.
B) Structure – form, audience, purpose, graphology, discourse, syntax (compound, complex, simple - utterance, imperative, interrogative, exclamative, declarative).
C) Lexis, semantics and pragmatics.
D) Exam responses.
E) Grammar and lexis.
F) Style – form, purpose, audience.
G) Handy for revision.
Tuesday, 10 November 2015
Thursday, 5 November 2015
Thursday, 29 October 2015
The Guardian - Femvertising
http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2015/oct/12/femvertising-branded-feminism
This is an article by The Guardian discussing the effects the media has on women, and how feminism is growing throughout the industry. The writer - Nosheen Iqbal - talks about how the way that the media and advertising companies has changed the way it sells products and talks about women. It now "selling us its disgust with sexism" and teaching women, and young girls to be strong and are trying to empower women, rather than putting them down.
As the article continues Iqbal discusses two videos made by Always, in which women and younger girls are asked to do some tasks 'like a girl'. The video shows how when told to do things 'like a girl' even the women do tasks pathetically and showing as if they're not really trying. This shows the viewer the impact the media has had on many generations of women. Always then released a second video named 'Always - #likeagirl Unstoppable' showing the viewer what women really do when they're asked to do the same tasks - therefore destroying the stereotype and showing that women are strong and brave, not pathetic.
The article concludes by mentioning how feminism is growing and becoming a large part of the media. For example, the UN have marked the International Day of the Girl which was largely promoted by Michelle Obama, and the #HeForShe campaign, fronted by Emma Watson. Overall, Nosheen Iqbal highlights how we are now beginning to see the drive to empower women, and in the not so distant future, women will finally become equal to men in the media.
This is an article by The Guardian discussing the effects the media has on women, and how feminism is growing throughout the industry. The writer - Nosheen Iqbal - talks about how the way that the media and advertising companies has changed the way it sells products and talks about women. It now "selling us its disgust with sexism" and teaching women, and young girls to be strong and are trying to empower women, rather than putting them down.
As the article continues Iqbal discusses two videos made by Always, in which women and younger girls are asked to do some tasks 'like a girl'. The video shows how when told to do things 'like a girl' even the women do tasks pathetically and showing as if they're not really trying. This shows the viewer the impact the media has had on many generations of women. Always then released a second video named 'Always - #likeagirl Unstoppable' showing the viewer what women really do when they're asked to do the same tasks - therefore destroying the stereotype and showing that women are strong and brave, not pathetic.
The article concludes by mentioning how feminism is growing and becoming a large part of the media. For example, the UN have marked the International Day of the Girl which was largely promoted by Michelle Obama, and the #HeForShe campaign, fronted by Emma Watson. Overall, Nosheen Iqbal highlights how we are now beginning to see the drive to empower women, and in the not so distant future, women will finally become equal to men in the media.
Tuesday, 13 October 2015
Andrew Moore - Language and occupation
http://www.universalteacher.org.uk/lang/occupation.htm
Here are some general functions of language in occupational contexts:
- communicating information
- requesting help
- confirming arrangements
- instructing employees or colleagues to do something
- making things happen or enacting them
AQA A-level English Language assessment resouces
http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/english/as-and-a-level/english-language-7701-7702/assessment-resources
This is a list of sample exam papers and mark schemes for AQA As and A-level English language.
This is a list of sample exam papers and mark schemes for AQA As and A-level English language.
Tuesday, 6 October 2015
Transcript analysis
A: What did you do last weekend?
(Adjacency pairs: Speaker A's question was answered with relevant information.)
B: I started my new job
A: What was it like?
B: I was on the tills. Ellie what did you do on the weekend?
(Dispreferred response: Speaker B didn't answer the question, but implied that they maybe didn't enjoy it.)
A: Umm my brother went to Uni on Sunday, we went down Southampton and then yeah basically
B: Greaaat..
(Utterances: Falling of intonation, shows that the topic had come to an end and that the speaker may be feeling awkward.)
C: I was working all day Saturday and then that was about it
D: Umm I was doing homework all weekend, didn't really/
(Interruption: Speaker D was interrupted by speaker B, this could indicate that speaker B is more comfortable in the group, and therefore confident enough to interrupt.)
B: Yeah umm I had my first driving lesson aswell
(Filler: The speaker uses fillers in order to lead off from their speech, this may indicate that they are feeling awkward/uncomfortable.)
A: How was that?
B: That was really good actually yeah, I can't wait to be able to drive, yeah
(Quantity: The speaker gives more detail into the subject, suggesting that they are now more relaxed in the conversation.)
A: Umm what else did I do? I had dance on Saturday
C: How was dance?
A: Great, getting ready for competitions and performances, yeah
(Speaker A clearly wants to keep the conversation going and asks themselves a question in order to draw attention to themselves so that they can explain further.)
4 Speakers
· A: 16, knew B and C before St Brendan's.
· B: 17, knew A before St Brendan's.
· C: 16, knew A before St Brendan's.
· D: 16, didn't know anyone before St Brendan's.
The conversation took place outside by the fountain, where it was quiet and there were a few people around.
AS ELL Spontaneous Speech Terminology Quiz
1. 'A pattern of speech in which one utterance is followed by an appropriate linked response' - is the definition of the term:
-Adjacency pairs, preferred response.
2. Explain the term 'side sequencing'.
-When conversation comes to an unexpected halt and changes topic.
3. Give an example of a 'tag question'.
-'It's cold out, isn't it?'
4. Give three terms that are examples of non-fluency features:
-'erm', 'um', 'ah'.
5. Explain the term 'phatic language' and give two examples:
-Phatic language is small talk such as 'how was your day?' and 'nice weather we're having.'.
6. Non-verbal aspects of speech or 'paralinguistic features' such as 'fillers' can help reveal a speaker's attitudes and feelings. Name two other non-verbal aspects of speech.
-Pointing and sign language.
7. 'elp me orf this 'orse' is an example of 'phonetic spelling' which means the spelling of words to represent how they are pronounced.
8. List Grice's maxims and briefly what each one refers to:
- Adjacency pairs: An utterance with an expected response.
-Quantity: If the speaker gives too much or too little detail.
-Quality: Whether it is the truth or a lie.
-Relevance: If the utterance is on topic.
-Manner: Clear communication.
9. Grice was interested in suggesting what helps to create a natural/flowing conversation.
10. When analysing spontaneous speech we do not refer to 'sentences' but 'utterances'.
11. Brown and Levinson put forward some theories about politeness. Name four positive politeness strategies we might employ if we want to be liked.
- Saying please and thank you, not interrupting when they are speaking, listening to who is speaking and giving a preferred response.
12. In order to analyse a transcript what three things must you establish an awareness of from the outset?
- Context: Setting, who the speakers are and their background, age etc.
-Adjacency pairs, preferred response.
2. Explain the term 'side sequencing'.
-When conversation comes to an unexpected halt and changes topic.
3. Give an example of a 'tag question'.
-'It's cold out, isn't it?'
4. Give three terms that are examples of non-fluency features:
-'erm', 'um', 'ah'.
5. Explain the term 'phatic language' and give two examples:
-Phatic language is small talk such as 'how was your day?' and 'nice weather we're having.'.
6. Non-verbal aspects of speech or 'paralinguistic features' such as 'fillers' can help reveal a speaker's attitudes and feelings. Name two other non-verbal aspects of speech.
-Pointing and sign language.
7. 'elp me orf this 'orse' is an example of 'phonetic spelling' which means the spelling of words to represent how they are pronounced.
8. List Grice's maxims and briefly what each one refers to:
- Adjacency pairs: An utterance with an expected response.
-Quantity: If the speaker gives too much or too little detail.
-Quality: Whether it is the truth or a lie.
-Relevance: If the utterance is on topic.
-Manner: Clear communication.
9. Grice was interested in suggesting what helps to create a natural/flowing conversation.
10. When analysing spontaneous speech we do not refer to 'sentences' but 'utterances'.
11. Brown and Levinson put forward some theories about politeness. Name four positive politeness strategies we might employ if we want to be liked.
- Saying please and thank you, not interrupting when they are speaking, listening to who is speaking and giving a preferred response.
12. In order to analyse a transcript what three things must you establish an awareness of from the outset?
- Context: Setting, who the speakers are and their background, age etc.
Thursday, 24 September 2015
John McWhorter: Txtng is killing language. JK!!!
https://www.ted.com/talks/john_mcwhorter_txtng_is_killing_language_jk
In this video, John McWhorter talks about how language has changed, and how he believes that is changing currently. McWhorter highlights the fact that he believes texting is becoming standard English - slowly, but surely - and goes into further depth about the subject. There is an interactive transcript also available.
In this video, John McWhorter talks about how language has changed, and how he believes that is changing currently. McWhorter highlights the fact that he believes texting is becoming standard English - slowly, but surely - and goes into further depth about the subject. There is an interactive transcript also available.
Steven Pinker: What our language habits reveal.
https://www.ted.com/talks/steven_pinker_on_language_and_thought#t-70602
Notes:
-Language changes over the years without us noticing.
-Pinker has a descriptive attitude towards language. Prescriptivism / Descriptivism / Standard English.
-Language is used as a window into human nature.
-Language emerges from human minds interacting from each other.
-Visible and unstoppable changes in language are occurring: slang and jargon, historical change, dialect divergence and language formation.
-Language began as being spoken, then followed to become written and read.
-Communication model: Sender - Message - Reciever, Social - Historical and cultural context.
Notes:
-Language changes over the years without us noticing.
-Pinker has a descriptive attitude towards language. Prescriptivism / Descriptivism / Standard English.
-Language is used as a window into human nature.
-Language emerges from human minds interacting from each other.
-Visible and unstoppable changes in language are occurring: slang and jargon, historical change, dialect divergence and language formation.
-Language began as being spoken, then followed to become written and read.
-Communication model: Sender - Message - Reciever, Social - Historical and cultural context.
Wednesday, 16 September 2015
Form, purpose and audience.
Wireless 2015: Review.
http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/festivals/wireless-2015-review-urban-music-festival-surrenders-to-edm-headliners-10368735.html
"It was female solo artists who really owned the main stage over the three day festival. Mary J Blige gave a spirited, heart-felt performance of classics such as “Family Affair' and “Be Happy”, giving the audience her all in a red jumpsuit."
Form: Review.
Purpose: To inform, to entertain.
Audience: Music lovers, people thinking of going to the festival.
Short story.
http://www.theguardian.com/books/2015/jul/27/tessa-hadley-her-share-of-sorrow-short-story
"Ruby’s name might have suited her if she’d been smouldering and mysterious like her mother in the dance photographs. But she was plump and stubby with short, fat arms, lank, beige-coloured hair and fair, freckled skin that turned pink easily in the sun-"
Form: Story, fictional.
Purpose: To entertain.
Audience: Teenagers and adults.
Article.
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/16/world/middleeast/for-those-who-remain-in-syria-daily-life-is-a-nightmare.html?src=mv&_r=0
"Every morning, at the dawn call to prayer, women and children move silently from the Damascus suburb of Douma to the surrounding farm fields, seeking safety from the day’s bombardments by the Syrian government."
Form: Article.
Purpose: To inform, to educate.
Audience: Adults, charitable people.
Article/interview
http://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/caitlyn-jenner-fears-physical-threats-6451046
"The former Olympian is said to be afraid of providing the necessary information, such as her medical records, to the court to secure the judgement because of physical threats she has received."
Form: Article/interview
Purpose: To inform, to educate.
Audience: The general public, transgender people.
Article/news
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/apple/iphone/11863366/iPhone-6s-Plus-sells-out-online-with-orders-to-take-up-to-four-weeks.html
"Company says it is on track to beat the 10m iPhones pre-ordered over the first weekend last year"
Form: News, article.
Purpose: To inform, to advertise.
Audience: iPhone users/buyers.
http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/festivals/wireless-2015-review-urban-music-festival-surrenders-to-edm-headliners-10368735.html
"It was female solo artists who really owned the main stage over the three day festival. Mary J Blige gave a spirited, heart-felt performance of classics such as “Family Affair' and “Be Happy”, giving the audience her all in a red jumpsuit."
Form: Review.
Purpose: To inform, to entertain.
Audience: Music lovers, people thinking of going to the festival.
Short story.
http://www.theguardian.com/books/2015/jul/27/tessa-hadley-her-share-of-sorrow-short-story
"Ruby’s name might have suited her if she’d been smouldering and mysterious like her mother in the dance photographs. But she was plump and stubby with short, fat arms, lank, beige-coloured hair and fair, freckled skin that turned pink easily in the sun-"
Form: Story, fictional.
Purpose: To entertain.
Audience: Teenagers and adults.
Article.
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/16/world/middleeast/for-those-who-remain-in-syria-daily-life-is-a-nightmare.html?src=mv&_r=0
"Every morning, at the dawn call to prayer, women and children move silently from the Damascus suburb of Douma to the surrounding farm fields, seeking safety from the day’s bombardments by the Syrian government."
Form: Article.
Purpose: To inform, to educate.
Audience: Adults, charitable people.
Article/interview
http://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/caitlyn-jenner-fears-physical-threats-6451046
"The former Olympian is said to be afraid of providing the necessary information, such as her medical records, to the court to secure the judgement because of physical threats she has received."
Form: Article/interview
Purpose: To inform, to educate.
Audience: The general public, transgender people.
Article/news
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/apple/iphone/11863366/iPhone-6s-Plus-sells-out-online-with-orders-to-take-up-to-four-weeks.html
"Company says it is on track to beat the 10m iPhones pre-ordered over the first weekend last year"
Form: News, article.
Purpose: To inform, to advertise.
Audience: iPhone users/buyers.
Monday, 14 September 2015
How the internet is changing language.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-10971949
This an article on the BBC website written by Zoe Kleinman. The article explores the many different aspects of written communication through technology, and Kleinman gives her view on how it is affecting language, and if this is a negative thing.
Four different aspects of online communication are spoken about in this article - 'Super slang', 'word play', 'txt spk' and 'word thief'. The article begins with the discussion of a court room questioning with Christopher Poole. Poole was asked to define a list of internet slang during the questioning, such as 'rick rolling'. He had a discussion with BBC news, in which he spoke about how he believes it is a positive and interesting thing to see the way that the internet is changing language. To quote Poole, "Language itself changes slowly but the internet has speeded up the process of those changes so you can notice them more quickly.".
The first subtitle 'Super slang' explores the effect the internet is having on Ukrainian language, and how noticeable it is becoming. The main focus is on the negative impact internet has had on language, and how it has made language and some gestures more aggressive and derogatory.
'Word play' follows this title, where Kleinman talks about some 'cult websites' using 'cult dialect such as 'LOLcat'. The language is purposely incorrect, but even so the 'LOLcat' has become an internet phenomenon. Professor Crystal then talks about the fact that these websites have become online language games. It is said that this phenomenon is extremely fashionable at this moment, but it is unlikely that it will last.
Kleinman continues, and now discusses 'txt spk'. She has discovered that texting language is expected to consist mostly of abbreviations, but in reality only 10% of this language is abbreviations. Text language seems to be made up of vowel-free abbreviations of singular words, rather than of entire phrases. The article continues to give examples of some abbreviations that are frequently used, and explains their meanings. Kleinman finishes with a quote from Mrs McPherson - "Does this belong in our language?".
The final subtitle 'Word thief' continues with a discussion with Mrs McPherson. She begins with highlighting new language found through technology such as 'To Goole' and 'App'. McPherson also comments on the fact that the term 'social networking' has only recently been linked to the internet, changed from its previous defnition - The use or establishment of social networks or connections.
Overall, I found this article to be very interesting and helpful if you are looking into the effect of technology on language and so I would recommend it.
This an article on the BBC website written by Zoe Kleinman. The article explores the many different aspects of written communication through technology, and Kleinman gives her view on how it is affecting language, and if this is a negative thing.
Four different aspects of online communication are spoken about in this article - 'Super slang', 'word play', 'txt spk' and 'word thief'. The article begins with the discussion of a court room questioning with Christopher Poole. Poole was asked to define a list of internet slang during the questioning, such as 'rick rolling'. He had a discussion with BBC news, in which he spoke about how he believes it is a positive and interesting thing to see the way that the internet is changing language. To quote Poole, "Language itself changes slowly but the internet has speeded up the process of those changes so you can notice them more quickly.".
The first subtitle 'Super slang' explores the effect the internet is having on Ukrainian language, and how noticeable it is becoming. The main focus is on the negative impact internet has had on language, and how it has made language and some gestures more aggressive and derogatory.
'Word play' follows this title, where Kleinman talks about some 'cult websites' using 'cult dialect such as 'LOLcat'. The language is purposely incorrect, but even so the 'LOLcat' has become an internet phenomenon. Professor Crystal then talks about the fact that these websites have become online language games. It is said that this phenomenon is extremely fashionable at this moment, but it is unlikely that it will last.
Kleinman continues, and now discusses 'txt spk'. She has discovered that texting language is expected to consist mostly of abbreviations, but in reality only 10% of this language is abbreviations. Text language seems to be made up of vowel-free abbreviations of singular words, rather than of entire phrases. The article continues to give examples of some abbreviations that are frequently used, and explains their meanings. Kleinman finishes with a quote from Mrs McPherson - "Does this belong in our language?".
The final subtitle 'Word thief' continues with a discussion with Mrs McPherson. She begins with highlighting new language found through technology such as 'To Goole' and 'App'. McPherson also comments on the fact that the term 'social networking' has only recently been linked to the internet, changed from its previous defnition - The use or establishment of social networks or connections.
Overall, I found this article to be very interesting and helpful if you are looking into the effect of technology on language and so I would recommend it.
Wednesday, 9 September 2015
Terminology
This is a list of terminology which may be found useful in an A-level English language course.
Cohesion
-Refers to the way texts hold together, the way parts connect. This connection can be through words, grammar and ideas.
Coinage
-The creation of a completely new word.
Collocation
-The way certain words frequently appear together e.g. 'fish and chips'
Colloquial language
-The informal vocabulary used in everyday conversation e.g. 'Hey' and 'Cheers'.
Creole
-A pidgin language that has developed and become the first language of a new generation of speakers.
Deixis
-Deictic expressions cannot be understood unless the context of the utterance is known e.g. 'here and 'there'
Dialect
-A language variety in which features of vocabulary and grammar show the user belonging to a particular regional group.
Divergence
-When the speech styles of two or more people move away from each other.
Ellipsis
-The omission of part of a word, or of a word or words from a sentence, while still making sense. e.g. 'Going out tonight?'.
Euphemism
-The use of a mild word or phrase instead of one that could be harmful, offensive or unpleasant e.g. 'passed away' rather than 'dead'.
Graphology
-The appearance of a text influences how it is read and understood.
Hypernym/hyponym
-A hypernym is a general word linked to more specific words e.g. 'furniture' is a hypernym and 'desk is a hyponym of furniture.
Idiolect
-An individuals distinctive way of speaking.
Idiom
-An expression whose meaning cannot be understood from the meanings of the individual words that make up the expression e.g. 'It's raining cats and dogs'.
Interrogative
-A sentence that is a question e.g. 'What time is it?'.
Jargon
-The technical language of a certain occupation. The word is often used critically.
Lexis
-The vocabulary of a language.
Morphology
-The study of the structure of words.
Paralinguistic features
-Gestures and accompanying facial expressions which contribute to the communications of meanings in speech.
Phatic conventions
-Utterances such as 'you know' which establish and maintain social contact.
Phatic talk
- 'Small talk' in conversation e.g. 'Hi, how are you?'
Pragmatics
-The study of the part that language plays in social situations and relationships.
Semantic field
-A grouping of words with related or similar meanings - through being connected in a certain context.
Sociolect
-The distinctive vocabulary and grammatical constructions particular to an identifiable social group.
Sytax
-The way sentences are constructed, word order.
Taboo language.
-Words that are avoided because they are considered offensive, embarrassing, obscene or unpleasant.
Cohesion
-Refers to the way texts hold together, the way parts connect. This connection can be through words, grammar and ideas.
Coinage
-The creation of a completely new word.
Collocation
-The way certain words frequently appear together e.g. 'fish and chips'
Colloquial language
-The informal vocabulary used in everyday conversation e.g. 'Hey' and 'Cheers'.
Creole
-A pidgin language that has developed and become the first language of a new generation of speakers.
Deixis
-Deictic expressions cannot be understood unless the context of the utterance is known e.g. 'here and 'there'
Dialect
-A language variety in which features of vocabulary and grammar show the user belonging to a particular regional group.
Divergence
-When the speech styles of two or more people move away from each other.
Ellipsis
-The omission of part of a word, or of a word or words from a sentence, while still making sense. e.g. 'Going out tonight?'.
Euphemism
-The use of a mild word or phrase instead of one that could be harmful, offensive or unpleasant e.g. 'passed away' rather than 'dead'.
Graphology
-The appearance of a text influences how it is read and understood.
Hypernym/hyponym
-A hypernym is a general word linked to more specific words e.g. 'furniture' is a hypernym and 'desk is a hyponym of furniture.
Idiolect
-An individuals distinctive way of speaking.
Idiom
-An expression whose meaning cannot be understood from the meanings of the individual words that make up the expression e.g. 'It's raining cats and dogs'.
Interrogative
-A sentence that is a question e.g. 'What time is it?'.
Jargon
-The technical language of a certain occupation. The word is often used critically.
Lexis
-The vocabulary of a language.
Morphology
-The study of the structure of words.
Paralinguistic features
-Gestures and accompanying facial expressions which contribute to the communications of meanings in speech.
Phatic conventions
-Utterances such as 'you know' which establish and maintain social contact.
Phatic talk
- 'Small talk' in conversation e.g. 'Hi, how are you?'
Pragmatics
-The study of the part that language plays in social situations and relationships.
Semantic field
-A grouping of words with related or similar meanings - through being connected in a certain context.
Sociolect
-The distinctive vocabulary and grammatical constructions particular to an identifiable social group.
Sytax
-The way sentences are constructed, word order.
Taboo language.
-Words that are avoided because they are considered offensive, embarrassing, obscene or unpleasant.
Tuesday, 8 September 2015
Stephan Fry - Uses and Abuses of language
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xqb28e_frys-planet-word-3_shortfilms
Stephan Fry's Programme talks about the uses and abuses of the English language. The uses of obscenities are explored as Fry discovers the power of some words in different situations. In this episode, he first goes to a tribe in Africa (Turkana), where he learns about which words that if used in this certain place, would be treated as being explicit. Fry then meets a woman with Tourrets syndrome, where she explains how she uses this to teach children and become a 'superhero' for them. She talks about how she has dealt with having Tourrets and how it has affected her life. As the show continues, Fry meets Brian Blessed. Together, with a psychologist, they investigate the Stroop effect and the hypoalgesic effect of swearing. Stephan Fry covers several more topics, and speaks with even more intelligent people - watch to find out more.
I found this programme to be very interesting and looks in-depth at the English language, and would highly recommend watching this. Waring: contains explicit language.
Stephan Fry's Programme talks about the uses and abuses of the English language. The uses of obscenities are explored as Fry discovers the power of some words in different situations. In this episode, he first goes to a tribe in Africa (Turkana), where he learns about which words that if used in this certain place, would be treated as being explicit. Fry then meets a woman with Tourrets syndrome, where she explains how she uses this to teach children and become a 'superhero' for them. She talks about how she has dealt with having Tourrets and how it has affected her life. As the show continues, Fry meets Brian Blessed. Together, with a psychologist, they investigate the Stroop effect and the hypoalgesic effect of swearing. Stephan Fry covers several more topics, and speaks with even more intelligent people - watch to find out more.
I found this programme to be very interesting and looks in-depth at the English language, and would highly recommend watching this. Waring: contains explicit language.
Sunday, 6 September 2015
Frameworks
Phonetics, phonology and prosodiscs
-Speech, sounds,effects,articulated and analysed (alliteration, onomatopoeia).
Graphology.
-The visual aspects of textual design and appearance (form, purpose, audience, font, emojis, technology).
Lexis and semantics.
-Words and meanings.
Grammar and morphology.
-Structural patterns and shapes of English (morphology, exclamatives, questions).
Pragmatics.
-Contextual aspects of language use (meaning).
Discourse.
-Extended stretches of communication occurring in different genres, modes and contexts.
-Speech, sounds,effects,articulated and analysed (alliteration, onomatopoeia).
Graphology.
-The visual aspects of textual design and appearance (form, purpose, audience, font, emojis, technology).
Lexis and semantics.
-Words and meanings.
Grammar and morphology.
-Structural patterns and shapes of English (morphology, exclamatives, questions).
Pragmatics.
-Contextual aspects of language use (meaning).
Discourse.
-Extended stretches of communication occurring in different genres, modes and contexts.
Thursday, 3 September 2015
'All raait! It's a new black-white lingo' article summary.
Steven Swinford and Laura St Quintion's article 'All raait! It's a new black-white lingo' is about the slang used (mostly) among teenagers living in London. The article begins discussing the affect of ethnic background on the dialect that is used. It is said to believe that the slang used includes words and sounds from several different languages such as cockney, Jamacian creole and Bangali. Professor Paul Kerswill led a study into understanding slang, and where teenagers have discovered it from. His study included researching a group of teenagers, of a wide variety of ethnic backgrounds to discover if the dialect used by the teenagers was related to race. Kerswill then found that no matter which background the teenager had, they all used relatively the same dialect. The Professor continued to explain that he believes that this dialect will make its way into the film industry after he discovered that in multi-cultural cities such as Manchester, similar dialect was used. Kerswill then said that he believes that this dialect is used as a way to seem "fashionable and cool" and is also used as an opportunity to be unique and to 'mark' themselves out in the community.As the article continued, it began to move onto how social media, and music (rap music to be precise) has influenced teenagers' language. Rap stars such as Lady Sovereign and Dizzie Rascal are mentioned, to show that some lyrics in their music contain slang that is now used regularly by teenagers. Professor Paul Kerswill is yet again mentioned when discussing his study. He has discovered that even in places such as Watford (Hertfordshire) the teenagers are no different to those in London. Kerswill's study was said to have cost £275,000 and analysed conversations of 32 teenagers aged 16 to 28 from a variety of ethnic backgrounds. The influences on pronunciation are spoken about as the study is explained. Words such as "pound" were found to be pronounced as "paaand" which originates from traditional cockney language. The article then explains other variations of language, and the backgrounds they believe that they have originated from. Different to the pronunciation, Kerswill's study discovered certain language used such as 'nang' meaning 'good' and 'creps' meaning 'trainers' were originally from places such as Jamacia. As the article ends, some concerns about this dialect are expressed. The Lilian Baylis school, for example, has banned its students from using such language. The head teacher, Gary Phillips, explained that this was because he was "trying to teach the kids that there is a time and a place for it". Overall, the article sums up the context of this new dialect which has been discovered through doing many different studies. As some may not have a problem with people using this language, others are still not accepting the inevitable use of it and are yet to be persuaded.
Wednesday, 2 September 2015
'From the mouths of teens'
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/this-britain/from-the-mouths-of-teens-422688.html
The article 'From the mouths of teens' discusses the context and reasons for teenagers using slag. Race is spoken about to define why we came to use slang in the way that we do, and explains the fact that slang itself has converged with common language. The journalist carefully explains that race no longer is the border between who uses slang, and who does not - "'People say he speaks like a black boy, but he just speaks like a London boy.' The message is that people are beginning to sound the same regardless of their colour or ethnic background."
The article 'From the mouths of teens' discusses the context and reasons for teenagers using slag. Race is spoken about to define why we came to use slang in the way that we do, and explains the fact that slang itself has converged with common language. The journalist carefully explains that race no longer is the border between who uses slang, and who does not - "'People say he speaks like a black boy, but he just speaks like a London boy.' The message is that people are beginning to sound the same regardless of their colour or ethnic background."
Tuesday, 1 September 2015
Grammar test
http://www.theguardian.com/teacher-network/teacher-blog/quiz/2013/feb/04/grammar-punctuation-quiz-test
This is a grammar and punctuation test given to year 6 pupils. It contains 14 questions, each measuring different language skills and it should be aimed to have 10+ correct answers.
This is a grammar and punctuation test given to year 6 pupils. It contains 14 questions, each measuring different language skills and it should be aimed to have 10+ correct answers.
AQA specification
http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/english/as-and-a-level/english-language-7701-7702/introduction
This is the AS and A-level specification for English language.
This is the AS and A-level specification for English language.
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