ATAR Notes: Forum
VCE Stuff => VCE English Studies => VCE Subjects + Help => VCE English & EAL => Topic started by: andy456 on March 02, 2010, 10:30:27 pm
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I don't understand what it is and can't find examples of it >:(
Any help would be appreciated
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Language that's relevant to the topic.
E.G., for language analysis, the metalanguage is stuff like anecdote, juxtaposition, connotations etc. etc. While the metalanguage for Macdonalds would be medium fries, upsize, drive-thru, eat in, take away. And metalanguage for chemistry would be titration, chromatography, cations, isotopes.
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ok cool thanks....
Your examples were helpful.... :)
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nice to see minilunchbox is up to speed with her mcdonalds terminology :P
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Metalanguage is essentially language that describes or discusses language itself. For instance similes, metaphors, personification etc.
In the context of VCE English, your use of metalanguage is crucial to demonstrate you understand how the writer has used language to create meaning or a desired effect. For example, you may explore how the author uses imagery or recurring motifs to create a specific effect.
This is very important in text response where you need to acknowledge how the author has used language in the text. A good guideline is to try and briefly refer to how the author uses specific textual elements to create meaning in every body paragraph. The best way to do this is by referencing the relevant metalanguage and then providing examples from the book that support your case. Note that this should be weaved in with the ideas explored in that paragraph rather than just arbitrarily tacked on.
Metalanguage is also important in Language Analysis. I won't go into too much detail as it should be pretty obvious, but most of the names for persuasive techniques will be categories of metalanguage.