COMPONENT 1B - SITUATION

Remember, you will be given a choice of THREE questions, and you should only answer ONE.

You have been taught the following three subjects, and so you should identify which of the three questions you are able to answer:

*Language and Power
*Language and Situation
*Standard and non-standard English

You must NOT ANSWER any questions about CHILD LANGUAGE ACQUISITION or questions which focus around how small children use language. You have NOT been taught this.

So, what might come up?

Language and Situation - Things that could come up

*A transcript of a conversation where the SITUATION affects what is being said.
*A text which shows a lack of political correctness (where you would have to analyse what parts of language have become unacceptable over time)
*A text where people are employing politeness strategies.
*A text where FACE is important.

Basically, any text where CONTEXT/SITUATION is important.

Whatever comes up, you need to write around 2-3 paragraphs (a third of your essay) on the different ways that the situation is affecting how language is used within the extract. Once you have done this, you need to refer to you own wider reader on a similar topic, and write at least 4 paragraphs explaining how different situations affect language in your wider reading.

However, this MUST be on a similar type of situation.

Eg:

If your extract is to do with instrumental power - so must your wider reading be.
If your extract is about political correctness - so must your wider reading be,
If your extract is about politeness - so must your wider reading be.

Understood?

Because of this, it is essential that you do enough wider reading on all of the possible branches of SITUATION so that you will be prepared for whatever comes up.

So...

1. Ensure you research and memorise at least SIX non-politically correct texts.
2. Ensure you memorise and revise at least FOUR transcripts where politeness and accommodation are important.
3. Ensure you memorise and revise at least FIVE transcripts where FACE is important.

All of the above can be things you have found yourself. Really, this is in your own hands. Although, we have looked at more than enough stuff in class, so you need to refer to your files/notes.

So then, if you get a SITUATION question about FACE, all you need to do is write 2 PGs on the extract, and then 4 on all the other FACE transcripts you have revised.

If this doesn't make sense to you, please let me know.

Nick