Language and community – module 2

There are numerous indications of Eudora’s social status and attitude to

language. Firstly was the way in which Eudora spoke, she spoke in Creole, which is
considered a language of the lower class and the uneducated. Additionally the
fact that Eudora lives with her aunt and uncle indicates that she does posses the
finances to live in her own.

There were many indications in the extract that showed that Beatrice felt
she was superior to Eudora. The first indication was that Beatrice laughed at
Eudora’s use of the Creole word for dress “frack .“ Beatrice also informed Eudora
that if you cannot speak properly to these children then do not bother to say
anything to them at all. Secondly, Beatrice then stated, “it’s not that you never
went to school in grenade “which implied that she viewed speaking in Creole as a
language for the uneducated. Finally, Beatrice insinuated that in order for Eudora
to better herself she should be able to speak properly meaning she should speak
Standard English.

In the extract there were a few social tension portrayed between Eudora
and Auntie Beatrice. This was seen verbally in the way the auntie always spoke to
Eudora in a condescending way, she spoke to her as though she was superior.
Non – verbal cues were seen in the way Eudora always looked as though she was
about to cry whenever Auntie Beatrice was around. Where as she was always
laughing and smiling with stranger whenever her auntie was not around, which
implied she isn’t comfortable around her auntie. Additionally social tension was
portrayed non- verbally between Eudora and Carol. when Carol would throw
tantrums and demand that Eudora hurry up and wash the soap off her which
indicated that she did not see Eudora as her superior nor did he respect her .
Social tension was seen verbally when Eudora would mutter, ‘you damn little red
ants’ which implied she viewed carol as rude and disrespectful.