ENGLISH LANGUAGE (20-21)
Topic outline
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Content in this section is applicable for Paper 1, Question 3. This exam question is worth 36 marks and is assessed equally on AO1, AO3 and AO4.
AO1 - Apply appropriate methods of language analysis, using associated terminology and coherent written expression.
AO3 - Analyse and evaluate how contextual factors and language features are associated with the construction of meaning.
AO4 - Explore connections across texts, informed by linguistic concepts and methods.
Question: Using appropriate linguistic concepts and methods, analyse the ways in which language is used in these two texts. In your answer, you should: explore connections and variations between the texts and consider how contextual factors contribute to the construction of meaning.
Hint: For this question, there is a double layer of analysis. First of all, you need to identify which language features are typically spoken and which ones are typically written. You then need to try and systematically place them within different language levels. For this question, lexis, pragmatics and grammar are useful language levels to address. You need to also apply relevant spoken language theories such as politeness strategies, Grice's maxims, accommodation theory, etc. as well as your understanding of non-standard lexis/grammar linking to regional dialects. You will have to compare a spoken text (usually a transcript) with a multimodal text (such as a forum post).
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A pair of texts that make a good pairing for the Comparing and Contrasting texts unit. You can also listen to Stacey and Eddie talking via the link above Text B.
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Watch the YouTube video from 34:25 and make notes on where the following appear:
Convergence - where a speaker moves towards another speaker's accent, dialect or sociolect
Upward convergence - changing your accent or lexical choices to something you perceive as more prestigious
Downward convergence - making your accent or lexical choices more informal
Divergence - where a speaker actively distances themselves from another speaker by accentuating their own accent or dialect
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The Perfect Class Essay Brand v Brand Glossary
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The Perfect Class Essay Milliband v Milliband Glossary
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A useful chapter from this book, running through the main theories relating to language and power which you can apply to written and spoken texts. As usual, use sparingly, where appropriate. 'Be led by the data'!
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This was an important article from 1984 which proposed the idea of Estuary English and the possible demise of RP over time.
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Useful summary of Accommodation Theory.