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U210 The English Language: Past Present & Future

Question: Compare the conversation between the child and mother in Reading A of Chapter 3 of Learning English: development and diversity (pp. 108-9) with the example of classroom talk between teacher and children in the same course book (p. 121). How do these examples help in understanding the similarities and differences between the expectations about children’s talk at home and school (as examined in Block 5)?

Answer: The process of learning to read and talk begins long before children start school. The reading aloud of stories to children is a way of helping to develop literacy beyond merely interpreting the text from a page; it provides the child with information to draw on which will help it to develop narratives of their own. Once a child begins school, however, the whole experience of learning to talk ch......(short extract) to download the full answer, please Sign in or Register then make a payment or submit an essay

Question: Carefully analyse the extract of the speech by C. Kuykendall on Audiocassette 3 Band 9 to show the techniques she uses to gain responses from her audience. Relate this to the wider discussion, elsewhere in Block 3, of the techniques of rhetoric used by speakers and the effects on their audience.

Answer: The English language has many uses, including many rhetorical ones which are used as a means of gaining a certain response from listeners, to persuade during an argument, or to gain credibility while reporting an event. There are two ways of looking at rhetoric; as the above definitions show. In Britain, it is more often seen simply seen as a way of talking which allows you to show off your orat......(short extract) to download the full answer, please Sign in or Register then make a payment or submit an essay

Question: TMA02 Option (b)

With reference to specific linguistic examples, explain why Received Pronunciation (RP) occupies such an influential and powerful position in the world, in relation to non-native non-standard accents of the language.

Answer: Our basic approach is first to look at the definitions of Received Pronunciation (RP) and non-native non-standard accents of English. We will next look at some of the features found in these two accents. Finally, we would examine as how RP has attained such an influential and powerful position in the world before concluding with our stand with regard to the status of RP.......(short extract) to download the full answer, please Sign in or Register then make a payment or submit an essay

Question: TMA03 Option (b)

What are the distinctive features of informal talk that can be gleaned from the conversation between Pip and Phyllis, a married couple from southeast England in Audiocassette 3, Band 5? How do these features compare with those of formal talk elsewhere in Block 3?

Answer: In this essay, we are to highlight the distinctive features of informal talk with regards to the conversation between Pip and Phyllis and how do these features compare with those of formal talk. Before we proceed any further, let us understand what is meant by informal and formal talk. It has everything to do in what we do in everyday conversation. ‘Conversation’ is defined by some ling......(short extract) to download the full answer, please Sign in or Register then make a payment or submit an essay

Question: Discuss the extent to which multimodality contributes to informalization and marketization in contemporary English texts.

Answer: Today English texts are becoming increasing multimodal; alongside the written language they usually also display some visual elements, whether it be photographs, cartoons, borders or fonts. Another trend that has been noted recently has been the crossing of borders between informal and formal English; particularly the use of informal English in formal situations and the increased level of ‘mark......(short extract) to download the full answer, please Sign in or Register then make a payment or submit an essay

Question: TMA01 Option (a)

Would you agree that the sounds, spelling, grammar and vocabulary of present-day English and Old English, as portrayed in the Caedmon extract (English: history, diversity and change, pp. 111-112), are closely related? Prove your case through a study of the Caedmon extract as well as other linguistic examples from Block 1.

Answer: Prior to further analyzing and discussing the above statement pertaining to present-day English and Old English, let me first define what is Old English. Old English also known as Anglo-Saxon is an early form of English spoken in England some 1,000 years ago. It has its origin in the West Germanic language similar to Old Norse .......(short extract) to download the full answer, please Sign in or Register then make a payment or submit an essay

Question: Why and how do writers of English literary and playful texts ‘break the rules’ of English?

Answer: English is often used to create special artistic effects in a text – both in literary texts and playful ones. A literary text can be anything ranging from poetry, prose, drama to a broadsheet newspaper; playful texts include tabloid newspapers, puns, advertisements and graffiti, but could also include a witty poem or text – it is difficult to decide how to categorise certain pieces. These ar......(short extract) to download the full answer, please Sign in or Register then make a payment or submit an essay

Question: What controversies have surrounded the different approaches to the teaching of reading and writing in English?

Answer: English is a major subject in the British school curriculum and the way it is taught has impact on students learning in other subjects because the skills of reading and writing are required in all areas. The teaching of English is something which has been controversial in the past and remains so today; the way reading and writing in particular is taught is at the centre of these debates. The te......(short extract) to download the full answer, please Sign in or Register then make a payment or submit an essay

Question: Discuss the distinctive features of English as used in the workplace. Illustrate the discussion with a detailed analysis of the two conversations on Video Band 2, one between an estate agent and a client and one between two estate agents.

Answer: English is used in two kinds of interaction in the workplace. It can be used among members of the same or a closely related profession. In other cases, it can be used when a member of the profession is dealing with a member of the public. In this essay, I will discuss the choice of language, the use of jargon and different features in the use of English among co-workers. Then I will discuss the us......(short extract) to download the full answer, please Sign in or Register then make a payment or submit an essay

Question: Beginning with Noah Webster’s (English: history, diversity and change, Chapter 2, Reading B), documentation on orthographic reforms, discuss why there have been numerous attempts in the past to reform the spelling of English. To what extent have these reforms, both by Webster and others, been successful?

Answer: The English Language originates from a Germanic language of the Indo-European family from several local languages brought by 6th century invaders. It has since spread throughout the British Isles and into various regions where Britain held overseas colonies. Today, as the second most spoken language in the world, it has been subjected to multiple prejudices concerning its acquisition, reception as......(short extract) to download the full answer, please Sign in or Register then make a payment or submit an essay

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U210 The English Language: Past Present & Future

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