1. Occupation and language
Why is this even a thing?
How might language be affected by occupation? Can you think of examples?

2. What do these mean? WHAT Occupation might use these acronyms?
AFL
CPD
FFT
FSM PP
EAL

3. Occupational register or jargon special words or expressions used by a profession or group that are difficult for others to understand.
A common feature when looking at the lexicon of various occupations.
A really good example:
Likewise, mining has a rich occupational register. This is also interesting as the jargon changes regionally, from dialect to dialect. Look at the example!
Jargon is interesting as it can be universal to the occupation, however evidence suggests there are sub groups which create their own shared lexicon.

4. What occupations may need to use codes and why?

5. Howard giles (1973) accomodation theory
Speakers will adapt their language to suit their audience and improve communication. In contrast, some speakers may use language to distance and distinguish themselves from others.
CONVERGENCE:
Some occupations, people may choose, or need to converge with those they are speaking to. For example a doctor giving a diagnosis. Equally doctors together are likely to converge to show their knowledge and possibly meet expectations.
Teachers need to converge with students to ensure they understand. Teachers are a good example of a mixed register – using informal words as well as jargon.
PLEASE NOTE!! – Convergence is NOT about “dumbing down”. It is about choosing a particular register appropriate to those around you.

6. Have a look at the transcript - discuss and make notes on how you feel the teacher converges with her class.

8. divergence
There are certain contexts which require an appropriately formal register. Without diverging language:

9. Better? Using an appropriate register.
Rewrite the letter using an appropriate register.

10. How many of these have you used?
Make sure you know what these all mean!!!

11. Now for the theories! Are you ready!!?!?!

12. Drew and heritage (1992) “Talk at work”
They identified some key differences between everyday conversation and talk at work (see what they did there!)
These were summarised by Koester (2004) “The language of Work”……

13. Can we see this in practice?

14. What is Discourse Community?
Group of people who are trying to achieve specific common goals
Accomplish these goals through the use of intercommunication among members of the community
Communicate through a number of different ways and develop some specific words and sayings unique to that group
Meets all of Swales’ 6 Characteristics

15. The Six Characteristics
“A discourse community has a broadly agreed set of common public goals.”
“A discourse community has mechanisms of intercommunication among its members.”
"A discourse community uses its participatory mechanisms primarily to provide information and feedback.”
"A discourse community utilizes and hence possesses one or more genres in the communicative furtherance of its aims.”
“In addition to owning genres, a discourse community has acquired a specific lexis.”
“A discourse community has a threshold level of members with a suitable degree of relevant content and discoursal expertise"
There are six characteristics of a Discourse Community defined by John Swales in “The Concept of Discourse Community.”
If a community does not have all of these characteristics then it is not a Discourse Community.

16. Example 1: A Religion - Christianity
A religion is an example of a Discourse Community because it fulfills Swales’ six characteristics.
Common Goals: spreading the faith, coming together with certain values, achieving enlightenment, spreading good morals
Intercommunication: Face-to-face at meetings, Bulletins, Online discussions
The goal of the mechanisms it uses is to provide information to the churchgoers and give feedback to higher members.
Genres: The Bible, Holy Books, Psalms, Prayers, Sermons, Songs, etc.
Specific Lexis: Pope, Amen, Host, Tabernacle, Pews, God, Saints, etc.
Members of Expertise: Pope is the leader, Bishops, Priests and Deacons teach the lower level churchgoers.

17. Police
Common Goals: to maintain law and order, uphold the law, peace keeping, criminal catching
Intercommunication: Radio, face to face, s,
The goal of the mechanisms it uses is to provide information between employees, departments and the public
Genres: log books, statutes, contracts, codes of conduct, press conferences, book of rights
Specific Lexis: arrest, constable, inspector, assumed room temperature,
Members of Expertise: Constable. Sergeant. Inspector.Chief Inspector.
Superintendent.
Chief Superintendent.
Commander.
Deputy Assistant. Commissioner.

18. Now apply the six characteristics to 2 specific occupations…

20. GRICE’s MAXims

22. Why does occupational language occur?
What other theories could we consider?
What are the bigger debates?

23. Discuss the idea that a person’s language might be affected by their occupation. In your answer you should discuss concepts and issues from language study. You should use your own supporting examples and the data in Text A
What is this question ACTUALLY asking?
What are the key words?

24. Back up and explore with some relevant/interesting theory
Topic sentence
Linked to a wider idea/ theory.
What does the data show?
The data states….
The range of numbes suggests......
The pattern of numbers is significant......it shows....
This number confirms/opposes the idea that...
Reference the data. Use it like a quote.
This shows/demonstrates/presents (INSERT LINGUISTIC TERM)…..
An example of this is…
A speaker/writer may……
Explore the data with reference to linguistic terms, offer examples
This conforms to/subverts X’s proposal that…
In considering X’s theory of….
This finding would confirm X’s idea that…..
Back up and explore with some relevant/interesting theory
How does this support your ideas?
Offer an alternative point of view/theory.
Evaluate the theory
Recent research suggests…
Clearly from contemporary research….
More recent studies illuminate the idea that….
One observation shows….
This conforms to/subverts X’s proposal that…
In considering X’s theory of….
This finding would confirm X’s idea that…..