1 / 6

Language in Social Context

Language in Social Context. By: Julie Wethy. Phenomenon. Language varies according to the social community Language also expresses group identity, insiders from outsiders, the cool from pathetically unhip, and friend from foe.

kitra
Download Presentation

Language in Social Context

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript


  1. Language in Social Context By: Julie Wethy

  2. Phenomenon • Language varies according to the social community • Language also expresses group identity, insiders from outsiders, the cool from pathetically unhip, and friend from foe. • Language is suited to small group interest and experiences such as families, couples, friends, roommates, and co-workers • Larger social groups are often labeled with a social dialect based upon social class, ethnic factors, gender and age.

  3. Ebonics Emerges • African-American Vernacular English (AAVE) is often known as Black English • Ebonics is used by African Americans in the work place and inner cities • Many people look down upon Ebonics while others see it as a proud and positive symbol • Anyone can pick up a new lingo if exposed to it long enough

  4. Gender Wars • Gender roles influence linguistic behaviors more than gender • In 1970, the U.S. Department of Labor eliminated gender bias from their job title list • “Ms” is a feminine alternative is “Miss” • Pronounced “Miz” • May indicate widowed or divorced • “Guy” is normally masculine but “guys” has become gender neutral referring to all feminine group

  5. The “American” Language • Language either unites or divides people • The United States was founded upon diversity and difference • Diversity has given way to the American language which is English • Language loss is common for immigrants to the United States • There is a lack of teachers teaching “how” to speak English for ESL students • English is spoken by more than 90% of Americans

  6. Literacy Scare • A report in the 1990’s indicates that less than 50% of Americans could read • In the midst of literacy crisis, politicians legislate more standardized testing • Too much time is spent on test-taking strategies and too little time on actual literacy practices • No test can address the amount to time spent on literacy activities and practices

More Related