Language Contexts: Structural & Social

Unit 4 A2. Each Section contains one passage-based question on each of the three topic areas:

 

Section A: Structures	Section B: Social Contexts
Language and Speech Sounds	Language Change
Language and Grammar	Language and Gender
Language and Meaning	Language and Society

Section A offers a choice from three passage-based questions, one for each topic area.

If candidates opt to discuss Language and Speech Sounds, they will have available as a reference point a copy of the symbols of the International Phonemic Alphabet and a list of the phonemic symbols of RP English. Where appropriate they should be prepared to employ in their answers phonemic and phonetic notation and vowel quadrilaterals.

Language and Grammar covers word classes, word structure, sentence structure and cohesion. Language and Meaning covers lexical meaning, additional meaning added to items of vocabulary over and above their lexical reference, meaning conveyed by the context of usage (such as deixis - additional meaning given by reference to, for example, the physical context of usage) or speech acts (the use of language to affect the behaviour and attitudes of others).

Section B offers a choice from three questions treating language in a context of social usage and with a dimension of language change. Language and Gender and Language and Society look at contemporary influences on English, whereas the topic of Language Change considers the evolution of English in an historical context.

The changing role of women in society and its effect on English usage is the focus of Language and Gender. Language and Society embraces areas of discussion in usage, such as standard and non-standard forms, prescriptive and descriptive approaches to usage, political correctness, that arise out of social influences and pressures on what is appropriate in English usage.

In their answers, candidates are required to apply and explore frameworks for the systematic study of the aspect of language structure or usage at issue and give evidence of understanding and perspective, by commenting on the usefulness of the approach taken, either in the original passage or by themselves in analysing it (AO3ii).

They are also expected to analyse and evaluate variation in forms and meanings of spoken and written language from different times according to context (AO5ii) and in doing so to communicate clearly a grasp and insight appropriate to the study of language, to use terminology appropriately and to express themselves accurately and coherently (AO1).

Suggestions from the Topic List:

Sounds

Sentence Structures

Change

Gender

The Notion of Correctness