Variation in the Usage of English

Unit 2 AS. Section A, Accent and Dialect, will contain one compulsory essay question. The task will assume a broad awareness of variation in accent and dialect forms of English both within and beyond the British Isles. Candidates will be expected to supply their own examples/samples of appropriate data.

Section B will offer a choice of passage- or data-based questions. One question will focus on Child Language Acquisition; the other on Levels of Formality and Register. The development of an individual's command of English may be studied in a readily accessible form by focusing on a child's acquisition of language. Study of lexis and structure in Unit 1 will have enhanced candidates' appreciation of levels of formality, as well as of language usage thought typical of a particular social or occupational activity (register). Candidates should develop an understanding of the notion of appropriateness in this connection.

In both Sections, candidates will be required to show awareness of key features of frameworks for the study of spoken and written English (AO3i), and address relevant concepts and issues relating to language in use (AO4). They must demonstrate that they are able to distinguish, describe and interpret variation in meaning and forms of language according to context (AO5i), and that they can communicate clearly knowledge, understanding and insights appropriate to the study of language, use appropriate terminology, and express themselves accurately and coherently (AO1).

Any consistent and systematic means of representing speech sounds will be accepted in candidates' responses to the tasks set.

Suggestions from the Topic List:

Dialect

Child's Acquisition

Register

Tenor and formality

Spoken and Written Modes

Domains

Sounds