These notes explore Language and occupation in relation to AQA's latest specification for English Language (AS 7701, A-level 7702). Other topics are available individually or to purchase as a bundle.
Language and occupation:
Code switching - Shifting between language varieties in different contexts i.e. occupations - when
people change their accent and/or dialect to suit different situations (e.g. telephone voice).
Occupational language - The language of different job roles:
Has special language features (specialist lexis in relation to occupation i.e. OFSTED and INSET are
acronyms used by teachers).
Uses language in a novel or distinctive way (i.e. surgeon uses imperatives without adverbs like
please (e.g. SCALPEL).
Represents a form of community.
Language used is only acceptable in the specific occupational circumstance.
Main functions:
Communicating information.
Requesting help.
Confirming arrangements.
Instructing employees or subordinates.
Occupational register - Technical vocabulary associated with a particular occupation or activity.
Neologism - Newly coined word or expression (e.g. popular culture neologisms such as a metrosexual: a
man who dedicates a great deal of time and money to his appearance).
Specialist lexis - Used to act as a marker of a particular profession and to expose knowledge of it to give
confidence to those you are trying to assist as part of it. Can also be used in workplace conversation,
allowing conversation to progress at a faster rate.
Restricted lexis - Used to show knowledge. Customers may not be aware of this lexis as it is unique to
that particular profession.
Influential power - Power to persuade and influence (e.g. advertising, politics, media, culture).
Instrumental power - Real power: someone with actual authority has this (e.g. law, education, business,
management).
Vocatives - Terms of address (e.g. mate = mechanic / judge = lawyer). Can also be diminutive (e.g.
sweetie, babe etc.).
Jargon - Language that some people think is overly complicated and/or technical. This is an opinion. Can
be positive - allows people within the occupation to communicate quickly and efficiently. However, it
can also be negative:
Way of creating power and superiority: used to exclude people outside of the occupation, and
shows a lack of sensitivity to the audience.
Adverts in particular use unnecessarily complex scientific jargon as a way of trying to sell
products. The general viewer can only take the word of the advert that these are useful.
Abstract vocabulary can be vague. Saying, "We need to meet targets!" might sound fashionable
('targets' is a current "buzz" word) but what does it really mean?
Politicians often use euphemisms to distort their speeches, when referring to sensitive topics
like war.
Unnecessarily elaborate constructions.
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