lesson 2: dimensions of language
TRANSCRIPT
Lesson TwoDimensions of Language
Neijiang Normal University - Week Two - Brent A. Simoneaux
Name Cards
Brent Simoneaux
司马搏
Sima Bo
200505401123
Rhetoric 修辞学 \`re-tə-rik\ (noun) :
“The skill of using language in speech or writing in a special way that influences or persuades people”
Subject
Purpose Audience
The Writing Triangle
Dimensions of Language
Cultural
Dimension
Syntagmatic Dimension
Paradigmatic Dimension
Paradigmatic DimensionVertical ( 垂直的 ) dimension of languageLexical choices; choices in diction ( 措辞 )
Paradigmatic Dimension
Syntagmatic DimensionHorizontal ( 平的 ) dimension of language
Choices in syntax ( 造句 )
Syntagmatic Dimension
Cultural DimensionReaders’ cultural expectations or assumptions
Invisible on paper
Cultural Dimension
1. Formal \ Informal2. Standard \ Nonstandard3. General \ Specific4. In Group \ Out Group
Word Categories
Formal: I am applying for the receptionist position advertised in the local paper. I am an excellent candidate for the job because of my significant secretarial experience, good language skills, and sense of organization.
Formal \ Informal
Formal \ Informal
Informal: Hi! I read in the paper that ya'll were looking for a receptionist. I think that I am good for that job because I've done stuff like it in the past, am good with words, and am incredibly well organized.
Formal: I am applying for the receptionist position advertised in the local paper. I am an excellent candidate for the job because of my significant secretarial experience, good language skills, and sense of organization.
Formal \ Informal
Informal: Hi! I read in the paper that ya'll were looking for a receptionist. I think that I am good for that job because I've done stuff like it in the past, am good with words, and am incredibly well organized.
Formal Informal
Correct and effective use of words
• Academic writing• Business letter• Job application• Email
• Journal entries• Personal letter• Narratives• Email
Formal \ Informal
Standard \ NonstandardOverview
Standard refers to common words.
Nonstandard refers to slang, jargon, dialectal words, obsolete words, and idiomatic
expressions.
Standard \ NonstandardExamples
Standard Nonstandard
• am not, is not, has not• very good• very• to play a trick• you all
• ain’t• cool• damn• to pull one’s leg• ya’ll
Standard Nonstandard
Correct and effective use of wordsClosely related to formality
• Academic writing• Business letter• Job application• Email• Written
• Journal entries• Personal letter• Narratives• Email • Spoken
Standard \ Nonstandard
General \ SpecificOverview
Generality makes reference to words that involve, relate to, or apply to every member of
a class, kind or group.
Specificity makes reference to words that are encompassed by a more general catergory.
ExamplesGeneral \ Specific
General Specific
• animal• laugh• big• scientist
• tiger, horse, fox• chuckle, giggle, roar• huge, large, vast• physicist, chemist,
biologist
Correct and effective use of wordsGeneral \ Specific
General Specific
• Summary• Generalization
• Description• Explanation
Jargon ( 行话 )In Group \ Out Group
Jargon ( 行话 ) is any in-group or specialized language used by small groups of like-minded individuals.
This terminology is usually specialized to the function of the group, and will be used by and among group members as a sign of belonging, status, and for keeping out outsiders.
ExampleIn Group \ Out Group
Individuals who study linguistics will use words like quantifier, voiceless labiodental fricative, diglossia,
intensifier, minimal pair and metonymy.
To non-linguists, these words have different meanings or no meanings at all.
ExampleIn Group \ Out Group
Situation One:If you are writing a paper explaining concepts in
linguistics to an audience of non-linguists, you might introduce and explain a few important terms. But you wouldn't use those terms without an explanation or in
a way your audience wouldn't understand.
ExampleIn Group \ Out Group
Situation Two:If you are writing a conference paper for a group of
linguists or a term paper for a college-level linguistics course, you should use in-group jargon to help show that you understand the concepts and can
discuss them in ways other linguists can.
1. Native texts2. Dictionaries3. Thesauri (类属词典 )
Reference Tools
Next WeekSentence Expansion
The Writing AssignmentWrite one paragraph in which you describe your
future career goals and intellectual interests to the faculty of the English Department.
Write another paragraph in which you describe your future career goals and intellectual interests
to a Canadian third-year university student.Length: 200 - 300 words total
Due at the beginning of next week’s class.
The Reading AssignmentPreview Chapter 3, pgs 43-56 for next week’s class
Office HoursEvery Tuesday 1:15 – 2:30 pm
Building 5, Second Floor
Websitehttp://njtcwriting.wordpress.com
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Radio showEvery Thursday 12:30 – 1:30 pm
Turn in your homework.