ATAR Notes: Forum
VCE Stuff => VCE English Studies => VCE Subjects + Help => VCE English Language => Topic started by: vexx on October 24, 2010, 01:45:33 pm
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Hi,
Thought it may be a good idea to start a thread to see what topics we may want to focus on to ensure we maximise the chance of answering at least once question well.
So, why not do some predictions?
I read through the essays over the last few years, and in this current study design there has not been a direct question on Political Correctness (last was 2004/03), and the last question directly on public language was 2005.
So i think they will definitely have one of these questions, and with public language requiring lots of political discussion to do well (Gilliard/Rudd)
Anyone have any other ideas?
Vexx
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Also, i dont think jargon have been a topic recently in the exam. Theres going to be three essay topics this year and will most likely be like last years where you 'must' refer to stimulus material.
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It would be so awesome if one of the topics was jargon, i did an essay on jargon for a sac.
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Standard English please please please please please!
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Standard English please please please please please!
There was something on Standard English in 2009, so I think it might be unlikely :(
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elanguage :smitten:
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elanguage :smitten:
Oh and yes, language and technology. :)
Lots of examples make for good discussion
I hope they don't pin us down and make us write about 'euphemism' or 'slang' or 'jargon' etc. iit would be so hard to ramble on about the same thing for 4 pages without it getting repetitive.
I also have a feeling Public Language or PC will come up.
Last years euphemism question was kind of a prelude for it.
These topics would be okay though. Lots of morons with twitter accounts who can't help but posting discriminatory stuff makes my job a hell of a lot easier. :P
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^ Yeah there almost definitely won't be a question on Standard English or Euphemisms, but that's not to say you won't need to know these to put in to your essay for another topic.
Hmm technology was 2008, maybe they will have something on it this year, it's a pretty good topic to use so hopefully.
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Discuss Australian English in contemparary? society.... last time 2006
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i hate technology, i cant write 4 bodys for their essays :S
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^ Yeah there almost definitely won't be a question on Standard English or Euphemisms, but that's not to say you won't need to know these to put in to your essay for another topic.
Hmm technology was 2008, maybe they will have something on it this year, it's a pretty good topic to use so hopefully.
Standard English was in 2009, 2006 and sort of in 2007. I think the examiners like it because not many people really know what it is. May not come up in an explicit form, but yeah, makes for good discussion in other essays.
You can incorporate standard language discussion into lots of essay, such as those on technology, PC and appropriate language use for context.
LOL at last year. People arguing that we don't need standard english in STANDARD ENGLISH.
My teacher is such a bitch. No idea. She thinks Standard English is GAE, and that it doesn't have prestige.
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a broad question about language and changing identity - ethnolects haven't appeared in a while
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whats GAE?
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whats GAE?
general ausE english i guess?
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yeah general aus eng.
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WTF is General Aus English? Is that the accent or is itanother name for the Australian National Variety?
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^ Yeah there almost definitely won't be a question on Standard English or Euphemisms, but that's not to say you won't need to know these to put in to your essay for another topic.
Hmm technology was 2008, maybe they will have something on it this year, it's a pretty good topic to use so hopefully.
Standard English was in 2009, 2006 and sort of in 2007. I think the examiners like it because not many people really know what it is. May not come up in an explicit form, but yeah, makes for good discussion in other essays.
You can incorporate standard language discussion into lots of essay, such as those on technology, PC and appropriate language use for context.
LOL at last year. People arguing that we don't need standard english in STANDARD ENGLISH.
My teacher is such a bitch. No idea. She thinks Standard English is GAE, and that it doesn't have prestige.
I actually don't know what standard english is. Someone wanna explain :)
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WTF is General Aus English? Is that the accent or is itanother name for the Australian National Variety?
I think so. The accent that most of us use.
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^General Australian English is one of the varieties of English that is most common, rather than broad or cultivated.. Just a few differences particularly phonologically between them, such as the more british sounds in Cultivated, verses the real nasally, long diphthongs of Broad - general is the middle-ground.
Standard english is the the formal, 'proper' English that allows for similar exchange to other English Speaking countrys avoiding colloquialisms, and seen in School essays/newspapers/government, or at least it is assumed/expected to be like that, as recently over the years there has been a decline in standards whereby less formal english is used in the media/government (Rudd-Speak).
ps, stonecold your teacher sounds retarded.
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Can anyone give an example of a Public language essay topic?
Thanks
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So what is public language anyway? haven't learnt anything about this, unless it is PC or something similar?
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So what is public language anyway? haven't learnt anything about this, unless it is PC or something similar?
Exactly, never heard of anything as such, and also it's not mentioned anywhere from U1-U4 English Lan. Study design?
Maybe are they reffering to functions of language, can Vexx confirm please?
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VCAA 2005
Question 26
Public language is the language of . . . political and business leaders and civil servants – official, formal,
sometimes elevated language . . . [It] is the language of power and influence . . . Deliberate ambiguities,
slides of meaning, obscure, incomprehensible or meaningless words . . .
example 1
I went into a mode of self-preservation (footballer, Fox Footy Channel)
example 2
The inquiry may allow for relevant businesses or industries to be identiŽ ed and for investigation into the
possibility that certain regional or rural areas of the state would be more affected than others.
(Don Watson, Death Sentence, the decay of public language)
Starting with the examples above, discuss some of the linguistic features of public language. Refer to at least
two of the subsystems in your response.
How are the linguistic features of public language used to exercise power and authority in contemporary
Australian society?
Some suggested examples from each of the subsystems are listed below.
• morphology: neologisms: ‘post 9/11’, ‘un-Australian’; compound words such as ‘non-core’
• lexicology: jargon words and phrases: ‘negative impact’, ‘stakeholders’; technical words: ‘weapons of mass destruction’; doublespeak: ‘exit strategy’, ‘people management’; use of adverbs to hedge: ‘basically’, ‘possibly’
• syntax: compound-complex sentence structure; nominalisations; passive voice
• semantics: ambiguity: ‘emotional intelligence’; cliches: ‘competitive advantage’, ‘outcomes-based’; collocations: ‘collateral damage’, ‘window’
• discourse: elevated, formal register: ‘at the end of the day’; words become phrases: ‘now’ = ‘at this point’
The linguistic features of public language are used to exercise power and authority by:
• creating the perception that the user is expert
• discouraging questions or critique
• creating confusion and uncertainty in the reader because of obscurity, causing reader/listener not to question
• hiding the truth
• complicating meaning
• promoting blind acceptance and obedience.
From what I decipher from that first para. looks like it is Standard English + PC + doublespeak (ambiguities), incomprehensive (ie. language play?)
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So what is public language anyway? haven't learnt anything about this, unless it is PC or something similar?
Exactly, never heard of anything as such, and also it's not mentioned anywhere from U1-U4 English Lan. Study design?
Maybe are they reffering to functions of language, can Vexx confirm please?
Public language is definitely required to know since it covers a lot about using language to mislead, obscure, manipulate, about political correctness at times, what is considered appropriate, about politeness, using euphemisms correctly, how language can influence and overpower, etc.
There is a question from 2005 VCAA about public language, which i am going to write a practice essay on because i find it a quite difficult topic to do so! so will perfect one just in case :)
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So what is public language anyway? haven't learnt anything about this, unless it is PC or something similar?
Exactly, never heard of anything as such, and also it's not mentioned anywhere from U1-U4 English Lan. Study design?
Maybe are they reffering to functions of language, can Vexx confirm please?
Public language is definitely required to know since it covers a lot about using language to mislead, obscure, manipulate, about political correctness at times, what is considered appropriate, about politeness, using euphemisms correctly, how language can influence and overpower, etc.
There is a question from 2005 VCAA about public language, which i am going to write a practice essay on because i find it a quite difficult topic to do so! so will perfect one just in case :)
So in terms of the study design, " Language in interaction " ?
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Why does everyone like writing about technology? i actually find it quite difficult. But anyways, if you do get an essay on technology, do you usually argue tat it's detrimental towards the english language or contributing to the english language? and what would your main points be???
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^General Australian English is one of the varieties of English that is most common, rather than broad or cultivated.. Just a few differences particularly phonologically between them, such as the more british sounds in Cultivated, verses the real nasally, long diphthongs of Broad - general is the middle-ground.
Standard english is the the formal, 'proper' English that allows for similar exchange to other English Speaking countrys avoiding colloquialisms, and seen in School essays/newspapers/government, or at least it is assumed/expected to be like that, as recently over the years there has been a decline in standards whereby less formal english is used in the media/government (Rudd-Speak).
ps, stonecold your teacher sounds retarded.
Yeah, she is. I feel gratified because all year she was teaching us the wrong shit, and now people have gone to lectures and stuff and are realizing it, meainwhilst my tutor was teaching me everything right.
By the way, just to everyone, it would be almost IMPOSSIBLE to argue in favour that language is declining, so don't do it.
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Why does everyone like writing about technology? i actually find it quite difficult. But anyways, if you do get an essay on technology, do you usually argue tat it's detrimental towards the english language or contributing to the english language? and what would your main points be???
Don't argue that it is detrimental. You have to be descriptive, and describe why non-standard forms of language have become so common in contemporary Australia.
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^ depends on the question.
eg. 2008 Question 20:
Should the community be concerned that technological is replacing traditional forms of oral communication, such as face-to-face conversation? Provide linguistic evidence to support your response.
Examiners wrote that students should argue both sides.
I reckon, even if it doesn't ask to argue 'face-to-face' convos., it wouldn't hurt to weigh both sides of the argument, and then explain why it is used so frequently nowadays. It shows a stronger understanding of the use of 'textspeak', non-standard language (ie. easier to type brb over be right back in text msgs), in a modern advancing world quick ways of communication is evident, etc.
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^ depends on the question.
eg. 2008 Question 20:
Should the community be concerned that technological is replacing traditional forms of oral communication, such as face-to-face conversation? Provide linguistic evidence to support your response.
Examiners wrote that students should argue both sides.
I reckon, even if it doesn't ask to argue 'face-to-face' convos., it wouldn't hurt to weigh both sides of the argument, and then explain why it is used so frequently nowadays. It shows a stronger understanding of the use of 'textspeak', non-standard language (ie. easier to type brb over be right back in text msgs), in a modern advancing world quick ways of communication is evident, etc.
Yeah, you have to acknowledge the importance of the standard, whilst at the same time also recognizing its limitations and why other varieties may be preferred, either for expediency, identity etc. Also, there is a big difference between 'concerned' and 'detrimental'.
For that question, you could also discuss the lack of prosodics in written, which may be of concern as meaning is lost.
Also, written language can be used as a form of doublespeak, removing blame. For example, you don't really get an opportunity to argue against a letter/email.
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So Stonecold what exactly would your 3/4 paragraphs be about for the topic? are you suggesting one about standrad english?
thnx in advance:)
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^ Yeah there almost definitely won't be a question on Standard English or Euphemisms, but that's not to say you won't need to know these to put in to your essay for another topic.
Hmm technology was 2008, maybe they will have something on it this year, it's a pretty good topic to use so hopefully.
Standard English was in 2009, 2006 and sort of in 2007. I think the examiners like it because not many people really know what it is.
anyone mind defining standard english in a couple of lines?
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I have decided that an essay on Political Correctness would go down just beautifully. :D
It's something they've never done before right?
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they have, but in the old study design, 2005 or 2003 i think. same with jargon.
so one of those two may pop up.
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Please let it be jargon.
Anyways will there definitely be 3 essay choices, i notice some years there were only two.
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Please let it be jargon.
Anyways will there definitely be 3 essay choices, i notice some years there were only two.
Yeah jargon could be a topic this year, as they did euphemism last year..
Definitely 3 this year as the cover for the exam is out on vcaa.
Okay Vexx's big prediction as something they have never had before:
Linguistic politeness!
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Um, yes please to politeness!
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Please let it be jargon.
Anyways will there definitely be 3 essay choices, i notice some years there were only two.
Yeah jargon could be a topic this year, as they did euphemism last year..
Definitely 3 this year as the cover for the exam is out on vcaa.
Okay Vexx's big prediction as something they have never had before:
Linguistic politeness!
Either of those would be nice!
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What is linguistic politeness? Apart from register and choice of jargon in a certain context?
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What is linguistic politeness? Apart from register and choice of jargon in a certain context?
Euphemism, dysphemism, relative power relations, social distance, positive and negative politeness.
Just link everything to the PoA.
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What is negative/positive politeness
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From my notes :P
Negative Politeness
-Avoid blasphemy, vulgar, derogatory language.
-For example, “Jesus Christ” may be offensive to Christians, so it should be avoided.
-Taboos should be avoided. Safe topics such as ‘the weather or ‘how’s your day been’ should be discussed
-Politeness markers such as ‘please’ ‘thankyou’ ‘would you mind’ should be adopted
-Interrogative sentence type should be used rather than the imperative.
-Transactional conversations, and should involve semi-formal greetings and endings.
Positive politeness
-Dysphemism such as ‘idiot’ ‘slut’ and ‘cunt’ may acceptable depending on social relationship
-Shows social intimacy between interlocutors
-Less appropriate topics may be discussed e.g. sex and money
-Nickname vocatives can be used. i.e. diminutives such as Davoo or T-dog
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Can't wait for EL next year... sounds interesting!
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The novelty of being allowed to swear in essays really grows thin after a while...
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;D ;D
You can SWEAR?? :coolsmiley:
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Sure. For example,
"Whilst the dysphemism 'cunt' is widely perceived as the most linguistically potent word in the English language, its use may still be appropriate in specific contexts. Using the term to describe a close friend can demonstrate social intimacy, and is an example of positive politeness, where the close nature of a social relationship may warrant the use of language or the discussion of topics which are generally considered taboo."
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Awesome.... can't wait to do this subject next year!
Is it as competitive as English?
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2238 people in Lang (2009) as opposed to 41633, so no its not very competitive
To put it into perspective, my school has ~40 English Lang. students, which is approx 1.8% of all EL students. (according to 2009 stats)
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what would a plan for jargon essay look like?
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Wow.... only 2000 kids. Awesome.
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the fewer the students, the harder to get a high score
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yeah i agree ."the fewer the students, the harder to get a high score" ..i still remember when i did chinese dere was only 300 people all together in the whole state and it was so dam competitive an A+ A+ A only got me a 37 T.T
hopefully its different to english language, and better be scaled up more this year！