Language and Occupation Flashcards
What are occupational dialects?
Occupational dialects refer to specialized vocabularies, grammatical structures, and pronunciation patterns associated with specific professions or activities.
What is the purpose of occupational dialects ?
They enable clear, precise communication among members of a group and contribute to a sense of professional identity and expertise
What is the social function of occupational dialects ?
Occupational dialects can also serve to exclude outsiders and enhance the perceived importance or sophistication of the speake
What are the three characteristics of Occupational Dialects in Education?
- Lexical Differences
- Grammatical differences
-phonological differences
What is meant by lexical differences?
Specialized vocabulary unique to the field of education, such as “timetable,” “coursework,” and “GCSE,” which have specific meanings within the educational context.
What is meant by grammatical differences?
Occasionally, occupational dialects exhibit specific grammatical structures tailored to the needs of the profession, like shorthand used by opticians or educational jargon used by teachers.
What is meant by phonological differences?
While less common, some occupational dialects may have distinct pronunciation patterns, particularly in specialized fields like Church language or specific technical terminologies.
What is Jargon?
-special words or expressions used by a profession or group that are difficult
for others to understand.
What is the purpose of Jargon?
It allows specialists to communicate quickly and precisely about technical concepts, processes, and conditions within their field
Jargon - Inclusion and Status
Those who understand and use jargon feel included in their professional group, which can elevate their status within that community.
Jargon -Barriers to understanding
Jargon can create barriers when specialists use it with non-specialists, such as doctors with patients or mechanics with car owners, leading to misunderstandings and feelings of exclusion.
Jargon- power dynamics
Specialists sometimes use jargon deliberately to impress or intimidate non-specialists, reinforcing their own perceived status and potentially obscuring information.
Drew and Heritage (1992) - The Language of Work
According to Drew and Heritage (1992), ‘institutional talk’, as they call
workplace and professional talk, differs from ordinary conversation in a
number of ways
Drew and Heritage (1992) - The Language of Work- Goal orientation
participants in workplace conversations usually focus on specific tasks or goals.
Drew and Heritage (1992) - The Language of Work- Turn taking rules/ restrictions
in some professional contexts (e.g.
the courtroom) there are special turn-taking rules in operation. But even
if no special rules exist, there may be unwritten restrictions on who
speaks when; for example in doctor–patient consultations, it is the
doctor who tends to ask the questions.