Explanation of examples

[flares]

Well aware of the saying that goes, "don't use this or that if you don't understand it"

But, I've been collating some examples for English Language and I just can't quite explain what is going on for each of these, and was hoping to get some input from other English Language people here in this forum.

1. "The only thing that has changed is everything" - Apple iPhone 6S advertisement on TV
It's not exactly hyponomy, but I'm trying to figure out what metalinguistic device is used here, as they are saying that the 'only thing' that has changed is 'everything'.
2. This is another example that i've noted down from Dimitri's posts (thank you btw, your posts are ace, and could i also get your input on this as well when you can?)
This is from:
http://www.ibtimes.com/caitlyn-jenner-transgender-language-guidelines-spark-backlash-accusations-trans-1949095 (towards the bottom of the article)

“We hate being forced to adapt our language to new social rules!” Lakoff said. “The idea that you might have to shift your pronouns to reflect how those you're speaking of and to want you to think of them/others is scary -- because it forces you to acknowledge every time you do it that gender is fluid and in flux." From

Could I use this to talk about ‘correct’ language and how it is used to cater for transgender people (that is only if the essay prompt suits ofc) Lakoff explains in the article in response to Caityln Jenner’s transformation that it is scary because it reminds you all the time that gender is fluid and in flux. So, language catering for everyone.

3. Shout of to user named, "kiddoes", could you please (or anyone) elaborate on using Q&A transcripts, more specifically the recent one on terrorism, the political language used for as you said (quote), "taboo avoidance/expression of attitudes"?

Thank you all! Any more examples ya'll want to share, post them here and we can discuss ways we can include these
I'm still collating examples (with great difficulty)

All the best for exam prep. Keep calm and carry on writing 

[kiddoes]

3. Shout of to user named, "kiddoes", could you please (or anyone) elaborate on using Q&A transcripts, more specifically the recent one on terrorism, the political language used for as you said (quote), "taboo avoidance/expression of attitudes"?

Hi! That's me. I'm glad the stuff I found was helpful to you (shoutout to my mum for pointing out 'an interesting Q&A about language').

I mainly talked about that Q&A as it brings some attention the difference in language used by ex-PM Abbott (exclusionary) and current-PM Turnbull (consciously avoiding exclusion) around the subject of terrorism, and also how the general tone and language in the media is exclusionary to certain groups.

Compare the ineffable Dmitri's example of Turnbull's agentless passive "violent extremism", to Tony Abbott talking about "Islamic death cults".

• Turnbull's use of language avoids mention of a specific group, which prevents assumptions of sameness around Islamic culture (promoting social cohesion in multicultural Australia).
• Tony Abbott is specifically mentioning a cultural group, and whether or not it was intentional, what he said implies a correlation between practising Islam and being a proponent of death cults by naming the actions of ISIS as "Islamic", rather than offshoot extremism (as Turnbull says).
• The phrase "Islamic death cult" marginalises them from mainstream Australian culture (the "Team Australia" Tonizzle so often talked about) by emphasizing their difference from the culturally dominant in-group.

Tony Abbott using that kind of language also expresses his attitudes towards the larger Islamic culture - that he is making little differentiation between the wider community and the few extremists - through the dysphemism "death cults" (purposely using taboo language to make a derogatory slur).

A more recent example not mentioned in that Q&A is the headline about the Muslim children "leaving the school assembly when Australian national anthem played" - which crucially omits the reason why they did (they are Shi'a Muslims and were taking part in a religious event of mourning, where it's against dogma to appear to be celebrating, including singing), and the fact that they were given a choice in doing so by the principal of the school (the headline implies they did this entirely of their own free will - disrespecting authority!).
This omission of details excludes the children from the wider Australian community, as it's implying that they are purposely excluding themselves (when that really wasn't the case). It serves to further the perceived divide between Australians and Muslims, as they are portrayed as actively opposing Australian cultural practices - emphasizing difference again.
That's an example of media exclusion and bias  (although it isn't a happy thing because media scaremongering ain't okay)
Hope this helped! (man, my responses keep being all long)

(http://www.abc.net.au/tv/qanda/txt/s4307494.htm <-- the whole transcript, if you're keen to trawl through it! There's some excellent quotes in there about how language is used to include/exclude. I'd look at the sections about "Black Sheep", "Won't Assimilate?", and the parts said by Wesam Chakarwi have some good points.)

[flares]

Hi! That's me. I'm glad the stuff I found was helpful to you (shoutout to my mum for pointing out 'an interesting Q&A about language').

Nice, detailed and in depth response *thumbs up*

So basically, we're looking at Abbotts mention of cultural groups, "death cults" whereas Turnbull avoids group mention, hence, "violent extremism" which both have different impacts upon language and semantic meanings

Ok. I'm terrible at getting a wrap around Politics stuff, just give me time, and it should click tomorrow.

You seem so intellegent - the way you are able to include these examples smoothly into your explanations. how do you do it?! hahahaha

Thanks
ANd yes, i will look at the transcript tomorrow

[kiddoes]

What really helped me to collate all my examples was by looking at the 'big ideas' in English Language - like the different purposes of language!
Sorting your examples under subheadings like "formal/informal language differences", "modes of language differences", "social purposes of language", etc. helps you figure out how you can use your different examples (and a lot of the time, good examples can be used for more than one purpose).
You can look at essay topics and see the different categories they cover, like Australian English or language manipulation/obfuscation, to get some ideas.