Examination for the Degree of BA
Semester I: 2000/01
October/November 2000 Time Allowed: 2 hours
1. This paper contains FIVE (5) questions and comprises THREE (3) pages. Check that your paper is complete.
2. Answer Question 1, Question 2 and one other question. You should answer three questions in total.
3. Question 1 carries 40 marks whereas other questions carry 30 marks each. You will therefore be expected to spend a little more time in Question 1 than in the other questions.
Examine any five of the eight statements below and write down your reactions to the statements (ie whether you agree or disagree, strongly or weakly) and provide reasons for your reactions. If appropriate, illustrate your answer with examples or elaborate on the statements. Please write a paragraph of about 70 words for each statement.
(a) ‘English is a “bastard language”.’
(b) ‘The accent in New York is rhotic.’
(c) ‘The structure and function of written language are altogether different from that of spoken language.’
(d) ‘The English language has always been more prestigious than Latin or French.’
(e) ‘Pidgins lack a grammatical system.’
(f) ‘Informal, conversational English is inferior to formal, written English.’
(g) ‘The dominance of English in the world today is an inevitable consequence of the mathetic function of English.’
(h) ‘The use of non-PC terms like nigger or chairman is immoral.’
Question 2 (Compulsory) (30 marks)
Examine the language used in a bank leaflet below.
|
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 |
The Guaranteed Bond. Certainty in an uncertain
world. The weathermen
say the sun will shine, it rains. The timetable says you arrive in five minutes,
half an hour later you pull in. But when we say we’ll give you a return of 31.9%
net growth after five years, we will. And if you apply before 31st May 2000 we’ll
add to your investment so you’re not only guaranteed to end up with more,
you’ll start with more. Each issue is
strictly limited so apply early to avoid disappointment. The Guaranteed
Bond from Bank of Scotland Investors Club, call us on 0800 807 777,
quoting Club0043A, we’ll answer. Ask us for more information, we’ll send it. Visit
www.bankofscotland.co.uk/investorsclub to interact and we will. BANK OF SCOTLANDInvestors Club |
(a) Rewrite lines 2 to 6 in a more formal style associated with academic writing. (Feel free to alter it radically if you think this is appropriate.)
(b) The language used in the leaflet is reminiscent of the language used in conversation. Show how this text employs grammatical, lexical and other features associated with informal conversation. If appropriate, contrast this with the features found in your rewritten text.
(c) Do you consider the language used in the leaflet appropriate and effective?
Please choose one of Questions 3–5.
Question 3 (30 marks)
‘One compelling reason for change is the need for a language to adapt itself to the needs and realities of the speakers.’
Discuss the above statement by focusing on two
of the following: Middle English, academic written English, colloquial
Singaporean English, American English.
Question 4 (30 marks)
‘Language varieties generally have their own associations, positive or negative. Ultimately, those with negative associations lose out.’
Respond to the above statement by referring
to two of the following: English in New York; English in Martha’s
Vineyard; English in Norwich; Old English; Middle English; colloquial
Singaporean English.
Question 5 (30 marks)
‘Standard English represents the triumph of capitalism, science and technology and a monolingual/monodialectal view of modernisation and internationalisation.’
Would you say this statement is as true of the promotion of Standard English in Singapore today as it was of the development of Standard English in 16th-century Britain?
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End of Paper –
© P Tan, R Rubdy, 2000