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.
Thursday, 24 September 2015
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.
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