AS English Language Module 1: Introduction to the study of language

Module 1 counts for 35% of you AS grades Module 1 counts for 35% of you AS grades. It is marked via a 1 ½ hour exam, formulated of 2 questions.

Grouping texts There are loads of ways of grouping texts. How many can you think of? BEWARE!! Always remember the but….

Non-standard English Standard English Register Basically put means is the text formal or informal. Sometimes a text may contain elements of both and so is said to be of ‘mixed register’. Try to write a sentence for each of the seven points on the scale below. 1 taboo 2 vulgarism 3 slang 4 non-standard dialect 5 colloquialism 6 informal SE 7 neutral 8 formal SE 9 very formal SE Non-standard English Standard English Task: Create 3 versions of a diary entry for today, highly informal, middling and very formal indeed!!

Lexis Or put more simply – the vocabulary used within a text. Do not, however, simply look for formality, descriptive value etc – consider the context of the word choices made. What is the impact? What shared knowledge does the text assume a reader has?

Purpose Why has the text been created in the first place? There may be many reasons: Entertain inform advise persuade instruct More often than not a text will have more than one purpose in which case it is referred to a dual-purpose.

Genre Refers to the type of text you are looking at. Consider: Is it a literary extract? Is it factual writing? Is it a letter? Is it advertising material? Is it aimed at a particular group? There will be many factors that indicate a genre. Can you name some? Often, an element of language study called graphology can give away a genre. For example, would this be an appropriate font for a funeral home? Maybe not!! What is it appropriate for?? Genres tend to be highly stylised in appearance, lexis and layout. Consider these factors carefully – some writers use this knowledge and audience expectation to their own advantage.

Audience Make a list of texts that aim at a general audience and those aimed at more specific ones. What are the defining characteristics between the two types?

Mode Spoken or written? Easy, huh? Ok, what about txt messaging, e-mail, MSN? – We can refer to these as mixed-mode texts. Write some examples for each type of speech – use emoticons also please!!

Idiolect The focus for today!! Who are you? How do you speak? What has influenced your speech patterns and mannerisms? Look at the project sheet given to you and get started!!

Dialect Some parts of the country will have specific words they use which others don’t necessarily understand.

Sociolect Often our language will change depending on who we are surrounded by. All kinds of groupings may develop distinctive uses of language that come to characterise them. Below are some examples of specific sociolects. Can you identify them? lol u iz a n00b stfu!! She’s tacicardic and in VF. She needs 100 micrograms of diamorphine stat! The centre back pairing of Carra and Agger was watertight today!! Tie game in the bottom of the tenth inning, in steps Carlton Fisk, hit a long fly ball down the left field line. Thirty-five thousand fans on their feet, screamin' at the ball to stay fair. Fisk is runnin' up the baseline, wavin' at the ball like a madman. It hits the foul pole, home run. NATE and QCA think the APPs will definitely improve discourse skills at KS3.