Creative piece

Inflation

Inflation is taxation without legislation!

I work and slave and try to save.

But can’t get pass that tidal wave.

I apply my skills and pay my bills.

But all that’s left is that stuff that kills.

Inflation is taxation without legislation!

Adam Smith said the Invisible hand would.

Lead us all to the promised land

But I am flat broke and that is no joke.

I am left to wonder what is for dinner

As all I am doing is looking through the window.

Inflation is taxation without legislation!

I took my case to the MP, Mr Hall.

Telling him of my plight with rising inflation and its impact on my life.

But all he said was, “Stop your whining!! while I'm here dining.

Can’t you see inflation is rising?

Take your cares where the sun ain't shining”!

 Inflation is taxation without legislation!

Mi money a shrink and mi a think

Mi cah be save deh way dis yah government yah thinkin

They don’t care that my shoes are worn bare.

Just don’t ask them for another pair.

As they couldn’t care less of what you wear.

Inflation is taxation without legislation!

Jah Kno star, me memba when hundred dolla did nuff.

To buy all my groceries and stuff

But now the bagboy doesn't stock it.

For it fits in my pocket

Three hundred dollars for spam is just too much.

Inflation is taxation without legislation!

 
 Analysis

In the creative section of this portfolio, a narrative poem was written entitled “Inflation,”

highlighting the hardships faced by the industrious persona as a result of rising inflation, in

addition to the blatant disregard shown by elected officials towards this issue. Furthermore,

the persona used linguistic features to engage the audience on the issue of rising inflation and

its surrounding impacts of high inflation. However, only dialectal variations and

communicative behaviour will be analysed and discussed.

Throughout the piece, the persona used dialectal variations mainly acrolect and

basilect in ensuring the issue of rising inflation is heard by the targeted audience. Acrolect

which was used by the persona in lines 2-3 “I work and slave and try to save but can’t get

pass that tidal wave”. In this case, the persona used standard English as a means of ensuring

that the impact of rising inflation is having on him is clearly understood. In addition to taking

his case to the MP, Mr Hall in lines 12-13 where he was Telling the MP of his plight with

rising inflation and its impact on his life. The persona use of standard English was due to a

formal setting in addition to the MP being an authoritative figure. The persona also used

basilect as seen in lines 18-19 when he said “Mi money a shrink and mi a think Mi cah be

save deh way dis yah government yah thinkin”. In this case, while the persona is conversing

with himself he used basilect which illustrates an informal setting in terms of the relationship

between himself as the conversation didn’t require him to speak in standard English as well

as to evoke certain emotions whilst conversing.

Additionally, communicative behavior vocalics were used in the piece as seen in line 14

“Stop your whining!! while I'm here dining” the tone in which the member of parliament

spoke, in addition to the negative attitude towards language seen in line 16 “Take your cares

where the sun ain't shinin”! illustrates the blatant disregard shown by elected officials

towards the issue of rising inflation.