Communication Studies Module 2
Monday, May 16, 2022 10:43 PM
The Module 2 Essay
Required to do:
Analysis of a Narrative Passage which includes
Caribbean Creole English (500 words)
- Discuss the Use of Elements of Language such
as the following:
○ Dialectical Variety
○ Language Registers
○ Communicative Behaviours
○ Attitudes to Language
Essay Checklist
Introduction
- General statement of the question
- Include the title of the piece to be analyzed
and the author's name to set a background.
- Thesis statement
Body Paragraphs
For each body paragraph use the I-E-I-A
principle
- Identify the dialectical variety/language
register/communicative behaviour/attitude to
language. (DO NOT define these terms.)
- Explain/Clarify what exactly do you mean.
Expound on why you believe that the first
pointer is correct.
- Identify/Illustrate an example, for example, a
sentence that exemplifies or give evidence
of the dialectical variety/language
register/communicative behaviour/attitude to
language.
- Analyze the usage and or effectiveness of
the element employed.
(One point per paragraph.)
Conclusion
- Rephrase the thesis statement.
- Summarize the main points discussed
- Make a generalization on the use of the
element of language in the piece to wrap up
your essay.
REMINDERS
1. Remember the word limit.
2. Organize essay in logical paragraphs.
3. Use appropriate jargons as it refers to the
element of language.
4. Use transitional phrases.
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Language Variation/Dialectical Variation Communicative Behaviours
The speaker's ability to use different forms of language to suit their communication need based Communicative behaviours refer to the body language and other non-verbal
on the context they are in. clues to the persons attitudes and feelings. It can be conscious and
deliberate or unconscious and accidental.
Types of Language Variation
i. Acrolect - Language used by the elites. Official or standard language. There is usually no Forms of Communicative Behaviour
regional variation. - Use of objects - the things we own, use, wear, etc.
ii. Mesolect - Language used by normal people. Intermediate of acrolect and basilect. There e.g. A man carrying a stethoscope can be assumed to a doctor.
can be regional variations. Unofficial and informal.
iii. Basilect - Language that is least comprehensible to the standard. Regarded as the broken - Proxemics - the use of space. Highlights how close we feel towards a
language. Usually found where creole is spoken. Many regional variation - depends on person.
speech community. e.g. A greeting in France usually comes with a kiss on the cheek while in
the USA, a handshake is sufficient.
Factors that Influences Language Varieties
- Chronemics - the use of time. Arriving early or late, hurrying to do an
- Social Factors - Geographical Factors activity or procrastination, etc.
○ Location - Individual Factors
○ Social class e.g. An interviewee showing up late may indicate lack of dedication,
○ Place of birth ○ Age
○ Religion laziness or creates a bad impression.
○ Migration ○ Sex
○ Ethnicity
○ Place of residence ○ Occupation
○ Education - Paralanguage - the use of tone, volume, pitch and rate of speaking.
○ Cultural background e.g. Speaking loud and fast may indicate anger.
○ Media
Language Registers Attitudes to Language
Describes the way a person speaks in relation to their audience. A speaker modifies their Attitudes to language refers to how one feels about his/her own language
language register to signal levels of formality according to their relationship to their audience or the language use of another. These are reveal through actual behaviour.
and intended purpose of speech.
To identify a person's attitude to language
Types of Language Registers - Look at what comment he/she makes towards that language.
i. Frozen/Static - language does change. Allows for recitation. ○ Objection to a language in particular setting.
e.g. Wedding vows, pledges, prayers ○ Preference of one language type over another.
○ Commentary on appropriateness of the language used in a
ii. Formal - speech that is elevated, precise, and often professional, official, or impersonal in particular setting.
nature. Allows for speech without interruption. ○ Convergence - Making his/her language similar to that of his/her
e.g. Professional meeting, graduation ceremony, academic lecture audience.
○ Divergence - Making his/her language different (by accentuation or
iii. Consultative - involves the participation of all parties. A speaker employs consultative emphasis) to that of his/her audience
register to discuss a topic, and the listener(s) must contribute feedback to the speaker.
Can be standard or non-standard language (depending on social context). - Observe how he/she reacts to another individual use of a language
e.g. discussions between student and teacher ○ Pride
○ Disgust
iv. Causal/Informal - speech of acquaintance. Uses many nonstandard grammatical forms, such ○ Acceptance
as slang, incomplete sentences, or regional phrasing. ○ Scorn
e.g. talking with a friend ○ Shame
v. Intimate - personated speech, usually between close acquaintance. Can use a mixture of
standard and non-standard grammatical forms. Not usually used to convey information for
public knowledge.
e.g. Romantic partners, mother and child
Salient Characteristics of the Caribbean Standard English and the Caribbean Creole English

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