ENG1502 - Foundations In English Language Studies EXAM PACK .

ENG1502 - Foundations In English Language Studies EXAM PACK . SECTION A Question 1 Language as a semiotic system “… is thought of as a system where the individual elements – signs – take their overall meaning from how they are combined with other elements” (Carter & Goddard, 2016, p. 45). Bearing this quotation in mind, study TEXT A before you answer the questions that follow. You may also refer to Table 1 (Aspects of language) which is attached but can also be found on page 8 of Tutorial Letter 501. TEXT A What will 2021 bring? Never before have we started a new year with so many questions, to which there are so little answers (or are there)? A friend gave my 10-year-old grandson a little round grey object as a birthday present recently, and I just could not figure out what it was, or why he was so excited about it than the new swimming trunk decorated with huge and colourful toucans that I gave him. It turned out to be a mini smart speaker, or more precisely, an Artificial intelligence voice-controlled assistant called a Google Home Speaker, apparently designed to control the home by voice command, leaving your hands free to do other things. After a swift little DIY procedure requiring a small screwdriver, he connected another small device between the speaker and his bedside lamp . . . After my bewildered questions . . . , he informed me that this little critter can communicate with Google and is activated by him saying, “Hey Google”. He can then ask Google whatever he wants to know. Source: Celliers, A. (2021). The Gardener. (p.96) 1.1The words in the sub-title of TEXT A: Never before have we started a new year with so many questions, to which there are so little answers (or are there?) could be arranged in a different way while maintaining the same meaning of the sentence. Rearrange the order of the words in this sub-title without changing the meaning. The re-arranged sentence must be grammatically correct. (2 marks) Downloaded by: tebzamabalane | Distribution of this document is illegal S - The study-notes marketplace 3 1.2 Which language aspect has helped you to re-arrange the words in 1.1? (1 mark) 1.3. In your own words, explain the language aspect you used in 1.1? (2 marks) 1.4 Construct two different sentences using the same words from the original sentence. The words in the new sentences must be arranged differently from the original sentence. The sentences must be grammatically correct. (4 marks) 1.5 Refer to TEXT A. The bolded words, each consist of two words conjoined into one. (i) Screwdriver, (ii) lampside 1.5.1 Identify the two words that make up each word in (i) and (ii). (4 marks) 1.5.2 Using Table 1 explain the language aspect that assisted you to answer 1.5.1. (2 marks) TABLE 1 Language concept Meaning Phonetics The study of speech sounds. Phonology The study of the sound patterning system. Lexis (vocabulary) The study of the actual words a writer or speaker chooses to use. Morphology The study of how words are formed. Syntax The study of how words combine to form sentences and the rules that govern the formations. Orthography Writing systems Semantics The study of meaning and how meaning is made and understood. Pragmatics The study of the use of language in communication – i.e. sentences as used in contexts and situations. Discourse The study of how language is organized beyond the sentence, i.e. in larger texts. [15 Marks] Downloaded by: tebzamabalane | Distribution of this document is illegal S - The study-notes marketplace 4 Question 2 Read TEXT B the following extract and answer the questions that follow. TEXT B “Look at you!” my uncle continued excitedly, “the Mother city has bathed you. You have gained complexion by spending all that time with the ngamlas and dushis. Yeah, you look handsome, my laaitie. All the girls ekasi will be yours.” After twenty-seven gruelling hours trapped inside the crammed third-class carriage of the Shosholoza Meyl, I was exhausted and couldn’t say anything. All I could do was smile. “Come on, meet my bra’s,” he pointed at his friends with his left crutch. “You know PP and Dilika already, but meet Zero here,” he said, pointing at the third guy with widely spaced teeth. “He lives in our back yard. He has erected a zozo there. It’s been about three months now. He’s a very nice guy.” Source: Mhlongo Niq, After tears. Athens: Ohio Publishing Press, p5-6 2.1 Identify the non-standard functional speech variety used in the above conversation. (1 mark) 2. 2 Find FOUR words from the conversation to support the answer you gave in 2.1. In your response, write a sentence in which the word(s) you have identified occur(s) and underline the word/s. (4 marks) 2.3 Write a short paragraph, or a conversation of not more than five sentences, in which you use a non-standard variety. Identify TWO non-standard words in your paragraph/conversation and give the standard form of the words. (4 marks) 2.4 Many varieties of the English language use different linguistic variations in order to communicate a message from one speaker to another. These include: • Euphemisms • Slang • Jargon Downloaded by: tebzamabalane | Distribution of this document is illegal S - The study-notes marketplace 5 For each language variety listed above, write ONE sentence to show your understanding of each concept/label. If you use unfamiliar words in your sentences, please provide an English translation. (6 marks) Total for Section A: 30 Marks] SECTION B QUESTION 3 Having completed this module, you should be able to explain why certain words are written differently yet share the same pronunciation and why some words which look the same, carry different pronunciations. The following questions test your knowledge and understanding of this aspect of the English language. Read the instruction for each question and respond accordingly. 3.1 Name and define one concept you have studied that is used to explain the arbitrariness in spelling and pronunciation in the English language. For the concept you have chosen, use one example to substantiate your answer. (2 marks) 3.2 Study the following words paying attention to how the consonant ‘l’ is pronounce in each word. - Paul, children, told, Lesley, playroom, English, July, final, clean. Find two pairs of words from the list in which the consonant ‘l’ is pronounced the same. Ro example: The first one has been done for you: the ‘l’ in the words ‘Paul and ‘children’ are pronounced the same in English. Do not use the two words from the example in your response. (4 marks) 3.3 The difference in pronunciation can also be found with vowels. Give two pronunciation variances of the following three words. In each case transcribe the two pronunciations and then state whether the difference is in the vowels, consonants or stress placement. 1. laboratory, 2. schedule and 3. clerk Here is an example: Dynasty= /’daɪnəsti/ or /'dɪnəsti/ = the vowels are pronounced differently. ( 9 marks) Feel free to use: to find the phonetic symbols. [ 15 Marks]