Meta Language- what is it?

[melaniej]

I know we were supposed to use it in our written explanation for our context essays. I can see how it is used in Text Response, so maybe we don't have to have it for the context ones, and the TSFX lady was talking crap? Hoping so, coz it's not good to be so confused with one day left haha!

[xox.happy1.xox]

I'm just confused now... If I don't understand, would it be best to not use it at all?

[melaniej]

How would/do you use it at the moment?

[xox.happy1.xox]

I just put in random words that the TSFX assessor told me to put in to make the essay sound more appealing to the assessor. Although now I don't think this is quite correct.

[cara.mel]

Yeah, isn't metalanguage like language (jargon I guess?)  used to describe the text/novel.

Like in 1984, metalanguage would indeed be:
- Doublethink
- Newspeak
- Torture
- Freedom
- Death
- Control
- Liberty
- Totalitarianism

etc

no

OK, so for example, Bombshells, metalanguage cold be like the monologue aspect?
Or for witness, the filming techniques such as close-ups, framing etc.
I don't know how it relates to my 'non-books'

no.
both are completely off.


I wish I knew what was in your course x_x umm do you guys learn techniques at all the author could use to persuade, stir up emotion etc?

[Survivor]

no.
both are completely off.


I wish I knew what was in your course x_x umm do you guys learn techniques at all the author could use to persuade, stir up emotion etc?

I thought metalanguage was more along the lines of film techniques, the use of imagery, appeal to senses etc. which film-makers/writers use to attempt to leave the reader/audience with a certain emotion, as Caramel said?

Eg. In A Man for All Seasons, the stage direction of More being "isolated in the light" evokes our sympathies for this man who stands in solitude for his convictions. Here, Bolt suggests that More is alone in his stance, however we are also invited to admire his single-minded devotion. The lighting almost conveys that he is the only morally pure character left in the play and he gains our admiration that he is still illuminating in such trickery and corruption.

Not sure if this is right, but that's what I've been doing in terms of metalanguage.

[melaniej]

But the thing is, we aren't supposed to be analysing our texts....just drawing on ideas from them. I'm so confused...
I think I'll just forget about this thread and forget it ever happened....

[amyminchin]

METALANGUAGE =/= CONTEXT

Metalanguage was ONLY needed in the written explanation for context, not for the piece itself.
DO NOT USE metalang in context, it makes your piece sound analytical and text responseish.

LANGUAGE ANALYSIS = METALANGUAGE

Because you are describing language you are using meta language without actually knowing it. Words like hyperbole and metaphor are metalanguage.

Seriously, don't worry about it. You don't have to do a written explanation on the exam for your context and if you have any grasp whatsoever of LangA than you are alreasy using metalanguage.

 

[sxcalexc]

But the thing is, we aren't supposed to be analysing our texts....just drawing on ideas from them. I'm so confused...
I think I'll just forget about this thread and forget it ever happened....

What caramel has been saying is right. To clarify things, it is more used in Section C, or "Language Analysis", in which we use language to describe the author's language. For example, metaphors and similes. It also includes simple terminology to describe language like nouns and verbs, although we wouldn't be mentioning those in Section C. Having said that I have heard the term "film metalanguage" being used, which seems to indicate things like camera angles, lighting and sound.

[melaniej]

TSFX lady told us about all those, gave us a huge list. Including things such as monologue, close-ups etc etc...

But I originally said: I don't think its for our context section........ lame lame lame hate english

[Mao]

Yeah, isn't metalanguage like language (jargon I guess?)  used to describe the text/novel.

Like in 1984, metalanguage would indeed be:
- Doublethink
- Newspeak
- Torture
- Freedom
- Death
- Control
- Liberty
- Totalitarianism

etc

no

OK, so for example, Bombshells, metalanguage cold be like the monologue aspect?
Or for witness, the filming techniques such as close-ups, framing etc.
I don't know how it relates to my 'non-books'

no.
both are completely off.


I wish I knew what was in your course x_x umm do you guys learn techniques at all the author could use to persuade, stir up emotion etc?

just to add, those belong to the category of jargons, i.e. language specific to a topic/profession/area of interest
metalanguage is the language used to talk about language [as in the language itself, not anything else], so in AppleXY's post, there is one metalanguage term, "doublespeak" [it is now accepted as a language technique]
Generally, metalanguage refers to what language is [rules regarding language such as grammar, word classes, etc] and how it is being used [stylistic features], you can say it is the jargon of linguists

if it hasn't already been pointed out,
metalanguage is probably only useful in the language analysis section. all the metalanguage are the persuasive techniques [alliteration, metaphor, simile, etc], though I've read from some of Nick's posts that examiners do not want you to exactly point out what the persuasive techniques are, but rather imply what it is and refer to them using metalanguage [don't ask me what that means]

[shinny]

though I've read from some of Nick's posts that examiners do not want you to exactly point out what the persuasive techniques are, but rather imply what it is and refer to them using metalanguage [don't ask me what that means]

Examiners don't want kids labelling techniques under a banner of metalanguage because that isn't ANALYSIS - that's purely just language description. The marks in language analysis come from well, analysis. Duh. So basically, it comes from explaining the authors purpose, and the possible effect on the reader. Identification of persuasive techniques serves only to aid you in deciding what the intended effect/purpose may be, but these should always be decided specifically and in detail on a case-by-case basis in the end.

[Eriny]

When you use metalanguage, your aim is to describe how the writer uses language in order to get their message across. The easiest way to see this is through identifying persuasive techniques
e.g. the writer's use of a metaphor creates a vivid sign for the reader of X [their contention]

BUT, this happens in all texts.
e.g. The writer uses many short sentences here, creating a feeling in the reader of disruption and alienation which mimics the character's reality at this stage of the novel.
 
It may be useful to use phrases like 'the writer' and 'the reader', and thinking about how the writer can purposefully use language, as opposed to just content, to make the reader react in a certain way.

[dior1]

totally don't understand/hate metalanguage

hopefully our teacher does more on it with us