Week 8

Lesson 1

1. List to the clips played in class and classify each speaker using this form: https://forms.gle/BGMeCFZCVvuchQKWA

2. As a class, brainstorm lists of words or phrases used by the following groups:

Younger Australians vs Older Australians
Low SES vs High SES

3. As a class, read, annotate and analyse the first group of tweets in the document below. Use the table in the Google doc to record your insights.

4. Analyse the second group of tweets by yourself.

Analysis of Tweets .pdf

Analying Tweets- Individual & Group Identity

Lesson 2

As a class, brainstorm occupation groups in Australian society.
For each group, list 'shibboleths', or language features that distinguish or mark this group as distinct from others. Also, try to articulate the social expectations or community attitudes held towards this group. We will allocate a group to each student so you can share and record each others' examples.
Complete the following steps and record your findings in the shared document below:

Nominate a specific group to research within Australian society. This could be an interest group, cultural group, etc.
Research your select group and combine a list of language features that define this group linguistically.
Collect examples of this group's languge use (screenshots, youtube videos, news articles, websites, etc.)
Explain the views, values and attitudes this group holds or is associated with
Explain community expectations and attitudes help towards this group.
Do they adhere to overt or covert norms?

Group Language & Identity Research Task

Below are some interestig links and articles if you are unsure of where to start:

These articles list a range of Australian subcultures that you could research

-10 fascinating Australian subcultures you had no idea existed

-Inside the secret world of Millennial subcultures

Incels: Learn to Decode the Secret Language of the Incel Subculture

Language of the Queer Community- Lavender Language, The Queer Way to Speak & Allusionist 99. Polari - transcript — The Allusionist

Vocal Fry-

Apologising- Why women say 'sorry' too much and what to say instead

Humour- Making Jokes During a Presentation Helps Men But Hurts Women

Binary- Gendered Language-

Non-binary Gendered Language-

Cooking Shows:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4yr_etbfZtQ&ab_channel=TheKateringShow

Class:

https://thingsboganslike.wordpress.com/

Reminder: Slang vs Jargon

Jargon

a language variety that is particular to a trade, occupation, hobby or group
Jargon is highly specific to its context, meaning it may not be understood by those outside of the field.
the driving force behind jargon is efficiency: complex idea may be communicated more precisely and faster.
Jargon relies on the knowledge and expertise of all participants in a particular field for the meaning to be conveyed, therefore it acts as a marker of in-group solidarity and excludes those who don't belong to a group.
A side effect of jargon's efficiency is obfuscation: the obscuring of intended meaning in communication.

Slang

is very informal speech that is not standard in the specific language or dialect
it is typically transient (doesn't stick around)
tends to be associated with different groups and factors such as age, region or personal interests
typically created through repurposing pre-existing words (creative word formation - morphological patterning)
Slang often relies firmly of the cultural knowledge of the speaker and its use is a good indicator of group belonging.

Jargon links:

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/03/30/will-jargon-be-the-death-of-the-english-language.html
http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2014/08/04/money-talks-6 Longer article from the New Yorker about the dangers of financial jargon
http://www.theguardian.com/money/2013/oct/22/a-z-modern-office-jargon great examples of office jargon/euphemism
http://www.theatlantic.com/features/archive/2014/04/business-speak/361135/ Excellent longer article about office jargon
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/nadiabolzweber/2014/02/828/A amusing article on church jargon
http://blogs.hbr.org/2011/12/business-jargon-is-not-a-value/ transcript of interview with Dan Palotta, also available as a podcast
http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/notrocketscience/2010/11/24/on-jargon-and-why-it-matters-in-science-writing/ The importance of jargon in science
http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/art/features/why-its-time-for-galleries-to-dump-the-jargon-8480622.html jargon in the arts world
http://www.slate.com/articles/life/low_concept/2013/09/school_jargon_for_parents_i_can_t_understand_what_my_child_s_teacher_is.html article on educational jargon
http://www.smh.com.au/national/beware-bosses-bearing-workplace-happiness-jargon-20150519-gh525i article exploring the jargon around 'workplace happiness'
http://www.adweek.com/news/advertising-branding/xerox-just-tired-tech-jargon-you-are-166596 recent xerox campaign on less technological jargon
http://www.catb.org/jargon/html/ a guide to hacker jargon - good for examples
http://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/html/10.11648.j.edu.20150405.22.html Article about The Use of Dialects in Education and Its Impacts on Students’ Learning and Achievements (lots of technical language stuff)
https://www.news.com.au/finance/work/business-jargon-words-we-never-ever-want-to-hear-again/news-story/b0569339c763c1c0318d618d0ee190fb article about 'weasel words'
https://www.dropthejargon.org.au/ 2018 'drop the jargon' campaign website
http://www.plainenglish.co.uk/campaigning.html Plain English campaign website

Slang links:

Jargon links:

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/03/30/will-jargon-be-the-death-of-the-english-language.html
http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2014/08/04/money-talks-6 Longer article from the New Yorker about the dangers of financial jargon
http://www.theguardian.com/money/2013/oct/22/a-z-modern-office-jargon great examples of office jargon/euphemism
http://www.theatlantic.com/features/archive/2014/04/business-speak/361135/ Excellent longer article about office jargon
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/nadiabolzweber/2014/02/828/A amusing article on church jargon
http://blogs.hbr.org/2011/12/business-jargon-is-not-a-value/ transcript of interview with Dan Palotta, also available as a podcast
http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/notrocketscience/2010/11/24/on-jargon-and-why-it-matters-in-science-writing/ The importance of jargon in science
http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/art/features/why-its-time-for-galleries-to-dump-the-jargon-8480622.html jargon in the arts world
http://www.slate.com/articles/life/low_concept/2013/09/school_jargon_for_parents_i_can_t_understand_what_my_child_s_teacher_is.html article on educational jargon
http://www.smh.com.au/national/beware-bosses-bearing-workplace-happiness-jargon-20150519-gh525i article exploring the jargon around 'workplace happiness'
http://www.adweek.com/news/advertising-branding/xerox-just-tired-tech-jargon-you-are-166596 recent xerox campaign on less technological jargon
http://www.catb.org/jargon/html/ a guide to hacker jargon - good for examples
http://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/html/10.11648.j.edu.20150405.22.html Article about The Use of Dialects in Education and Its Impacts on Students’ Learning and Achievements (lots of technical language stuff)
https://www.news.com.au/finance/work/business-jargon-words-we-never-ever-want-to-hear-again/news-story/b0569339c763c1c0318d618d0ee190fb article about 'weasel words'
https://www.dropthejargon.org.au/ 2018 'drop the jargon' campaign website
http://www.plainenglish.co.uk/campaigning.html Plain English campaign website

Slang links:

2019 articles on gender stereotypes, gendered language and sexism

Linguists and studies

Robin Lakoff: Woman's Place
http://www.newrepublic.com/article/117757/gender-language-differences-women-get-interrupted-more
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zox6YosslUE lecture on language gender and sexual orientation
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBaD0QDJY4A Overview of language theories and gender
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E7TKsCd1aRA Robin Lakoff
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EnAXn9P6TtY Lecture on language and gender(Dr Teresa Pierce)
http://www.thedailytransmission.com/2010/03/29/the-power-of-cunt-germaine-greers-forgotten-vaginal-revolution/ Blog post that looks at Germain Greer’s essay
http://theshake.com.au/soapbox/woman-love-your-cunt/ Blog post that looks at Germain Greer’s essay
http://semantics.uchicago.edu/kennedy/classes/sum07/myths/myths4-gender.pdf
http://communication.oxfordre.com/view/10.1093/acrefore/9780190228613.001.0001/acrefore-9780190228613-e-470 Detailed article on gender bias
http://www.ibtimes.com/gender-language-men-women-know-different-words-study-shows-1610762
http://www.universalteacher.org.uk/lang/gender.htm

https://www.pbs.org/speak/speech/prejudice/women/ Really useful article that debunks myths about womens' talk

http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/crux/2018/06/01/gendered-language-pronouns-perceptions/#.W35ve9gzagQ how gendered language shapes the way we see the world

Lesson 3

As a class, share your research on group identities.
As a class, develop a range of statements on the links between language, identity and belonging.

Identity-

our identity influences the language we use. E.g. teenagers more likely to use slang
we can determine/guess someone's identity through their language use. E.g. AAE most likely indigenous, jargon of a profession/interest group
Language doesn't show us simply who we are but who we want to be. E.g inclusiveness, deliberate use of slang of a group
Language can be used to validate and affirm our identities.
Language can be used to challenge or reinforce stereotypes
Language can be used by others to simplify and reduce our identity

Belonging

we can develop a sense of place/belonging by adopting the language of a group. E.g. Australian colloquialism, teenagers,
our use of language outside of context can mark us as an outsider. E.g
no matter our ability to adopt the language of a group, we cannot always fit. E.g. politicians using slang
using the language of the group is essential if we are to fit.
Our language can be used to exclude us from the group.
Language can be used to unify disparate identities under one common identity

Values/Aspirations/Standing

The use of SAE can indicate a value for education or perhaps standing in the eyes of their peers.
Language can reveal what we hold important/what we dismiss.
Language can change/affect the way we perceive people and issues.
Langu

‘Our ability to know and make appropriate language choices in any given context says something about who we are, our values and life experience.’ Discuss with reference to at least two subsystems in your response.

OR

‘Language is central to our identity and belonging– it tells the world who we are, who we are not, who we want to be, and where we belong.’

Discuss with reference to at least two subsystems in your response.

Sample Essays

U4AoS2- Sample Essay #1

U4AoS2- Sample Essay #2

High scoring Identity essays 2019 - peer samples.pdf

Past Exam Responses on Related Topics

EL Quotes.pdf

Eng Lang -Quotes Bank.docx

If you are struggling on where to start, you might light to read the PDF below and consider (and answer) the questions to the side.

Individual and Group Identities pg 198-226.pdf

Individual and Group Identities – Questions from pg 198.docx