Embedded Files
Lesson 1
Lesson 1
LO: To explore the impact of formal language on social issues and purposes.
SC:
-I can label and describe formal language structures using appropriate metalanguage
-I can comment on the social or perceived impacts of modifying language
Watch the video to the side on the impact of syntax.
2. What is Jackson Katz arguing about the role of the media and language in violence issues?
Consider Katz's sentence as it becomes increasingly passive:
John beat Mary.
Mary was beaten by John.
Mary was beaten.
Mary was battered.
Mary is a battered woman.
How has the change in syntax impacted our understanding of:
John's actions?
Mary's power?
Mary's identity?
The readers understanding or perspective of the issue?
3. Consider the following phrases/terms used to discuss this topic in Australia
Domestic dispute
Abusive relationship
Intimate partner violence
Violence against women
Do these phrases mean the same thing? In which context might they be used?
Why might a journalist/publisher choose one term over another? Explain with reference to the social purposes of formal language below.
Consider the purposes of formal language:
maintaining and challenging positive and negative face needs
reinforcing social distance and authority
establishing expertise
promoting social harmony, negotiating social taboos and building rapport
clarifying meaning
manipulating or obfuscating
4. The ABC editorial guidelines state their journalists should “Avoid euphemisms such as ‘domestic dispute’, ‘volatile relationship’, ‘domestic incident’ or ‘domestic conflict’.
-Why might euphemism for this topic have arisen?
These topics are considered social taboo, perhaps due to being in the domestic and private sphere. They are also quite confronting and unpleasant topics so are avoided so as to not cause offence or discomfort. In addition, reporters are writing prior to legal action so must be careful not to liable people or influence future investigations or court cases. They also wish to appear impartial so try to avoid language with strong connotations or that may seem to be biased.
-Why might journalists wish to avoid using euphemistic language?
One possible reason is so that they can offer actual news and details of what happened and not confuse readers with vague statements. Another reason is that is downplays the severity of the issue and, in recent years, has become an area the public demand more active role from the media in focusing on perpetrators.
5. Read pg 5-16 of this resource. Created by Women’s Health West, it examines some of the common terminology and phrasing on the issue and unpacks some of the reasons such language might be used but also the impacts of such language.
Select ONE common phrase/term identified in the guide and explain:
Why such a term might be used in formal discourse
The implications or impact of such language
Look at the following headlines from the Australian media on this topic in the past few months:
Jane Gilmore regularly 'fixes' such headlines here.
6. Select TWO of the above extracts and analyse the use of passive and active sentences.
Apart from not wanting to accuse people before trial, why might such syntactic constructions be used?
7. Analyse the following extracts from an article on the murder of Courtney Herron in a Melbourne park in 2019, commenting on:
- the syntax and lexical choices,
- the role of such language in achieving purposes of the text
-A homeless man has been charged over the death of Courtney Herron, who was brutally murdered in a Melbourne park two days ago. The man, 27, of no fixed address, was arrested on Sunday and charged overnight with one count of murder and will appear in Melbourne Magistrates Court on Monday, Victoria Police said in a statement.
-Both women were attacked by men they did not know and who have since been charged.
Lesson 2
Lesson 2
Public Language and Discourse
Public Language and Discourse
Watch this YouTube clip from an English Language tutor who discusses, using an example, what Public Language is and how it can be used.
Public Language, as defined earlier, is that which occurs in the 'public realm' (areas of society accessible to all). It is the language used in a public context (ie open and shared). It tends to be more formal, and users generally adhere to the standards and conventions of the relevant field (E.g. law, politics, media). It is often under greater scrutiny than that used in private discourse and tends to be more planned.
We generally expect the following within public discourse:
Standard Australian English to appeal to, include and be accessible to as wide an audience as possible
Politeness strategies to build solidarity and inclusion as well as to minimise imposition
Jargon, technical language to establish expertise and authority, as well as follow convention
Non-discriminatory or 'Politically correct' language to include and avoid offence
Adherence to overt norms
Yet speakers or writers will often go against expectations in a deliberate effort to gain attention or achieve a specific purpose. Consider politicians who will deliberately use colloquialisms to appear relatable or media outlets who use slang to be humorous. While there have always been politicians and public figures who challenge expectations (E.g Keep the Bastards Honest 1980), the rise of social media seems to have played a role in changing expectations around public discourse and language by combining the private with the public. This is most notable in the language of politics.
This is not to say that public language has shifted greatly; rather, that people's adherence to and readiness to use public language has changed.
Political Correctness
Political Correctness
Politically correct language is language designed to be inclusive and avoid offence. It deliberately avoids any face-threatening 'acts'. While the term 'PC' is now often used as a synonym of left-leaning political beliefs, it does not belong to any ideology other than a belief or effort to include.
1. What is politically correct language? Provide some examples
2. What areas or topics do we see it used most?
3. Read this guide from Monash University. What reasons do they have for encouraging the use of inclusive language?
4. Why might they explicitly state they "use inclusive language not because we're politically correct"?
5. Read the Annabel Crabb's article to the side. How has the general perception of political correctness changed in recent times? What might account for this change?
6. Read ANY of Kevin Donnelly's articles below. What is his argument about why politically correct language is used?
Extension: Read the long read articles at the bottom on how the perception of political correctness has changed over time.
Notes to consider on Political Correctness
Notes to consider on Political Correctness
Politically correct language often has a euphemistic effect. However, not all euphemisms are examples of Politically Correct language. For example, someone asking 'to go to the bathroom' is a euphemism, but it isn't a good example of political correctness.
When considering political correctness think of terms relating to:
Race
gender
sexual orientation
ageism
sexism
ableism
These are often the areas of language that utilise politically correct phrases and expressions.
1. Summarise the ways in which women are characterised in the Mr Men stories, as outlined in the article.
2. How long were Mr Men books around before the Little Miss series was released?
Does this fact illustrate the idea of covert sexism? Explain your answer.
3. List the reasons that Dr Michelle Smith gives for needing to address gender stereotypes in children’s literature.
4. How does Dr Beatrice Alba explain the criticism of ‘political correctness gone too far’?
5. In the 4 comments by men reproduced in the article, which subsystems of language are the focus of their reactions to the study?
Kevin Donnelly Articles
Kevin Donnelly Articles
Change in View of Politically Correct Language
Change in View of Politically Correct Language
Lesson 3
Lesson 3
Formal transcript - PSO application.pdfFrom the text to the left identify examples (with line #s) of the following dot points and have them ready in your books. These will form the basis of an analytical commentary:
Complex and simple sentence structures
Antithesis
parallelism between 44-51
Agentless passives
Nominalisation
collocations
adverbials between lines 20-25
logical ordering
formatting
use of modal verbs
Use of proper nouns
jargon
overt language norms
Idiomatic expressions
SAC 4 - Analytical commentary 2020.pdfSAC 4- Formal AC.pdfSection B- Gosgrove on citizenship.pdfPage updated
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