Language And Occupation Flashcards
How can Acronyms be used in language variations
Almost every occupation has its own special vocabulary- Acronyms are one form of the specialised language used in various occupations (E.G. ASBO, A & E)
What is Jargon
Jargon is words or phrases that are used solely in a particular job or have originated in a particular occupation before becoming more widely used. The use of Jargon in a particular occupation can be linked to various roles or specific jobs within the industry. (E.G. Principle)
What are Codes
Codes are a way of communication expected to be understood only by staff. This knowledge and understanding is not shared with others; it is used exclusively and could be seen as excluding ‘outsiders’
What theory did Howard Giles explore
Accommodation theory - convergence and divergence
What is Howard Giles’ Accommodation theory
Speakers will adjust their language in order to either converge with whom they are speaking to or diverge from whom they are communicating with
How would Convergence be used
In some occupations, people may choose or may need to converge with those they are speaking to (E.G. Doctors and Teachers)
Convergence may also occur due to certain expectations (E.G. Sports Commentators would be expected to use a certain level of Jargon to show expertise - this Jargon would be based on shared knowledge and understanding)
What is Convergence
Convergence is when speakers will try to make their language resemble, and be more in line with, that of their audience to improve communication
What is Divergence
Divergence occurs when speakers may attempt to use language to distance and distinguish themselves from others
How would Divergence be used
In certain contexts a particular occupation needs to diverge by using an appropriately formal register. Certain occupations require communication to be formal (E.G. Interaction from a school to parents)
What is meant by Occupational Lexis
Terms that are exclusive to an occupation and not part of our more general vocabulary.
Some occupations use highly specialised lexis and also lexis that is heavily influenced by other languages (E.G. French and Latin)
Many idiomatic expressions started as occupational references
What is a discourse structure
A structure that runs across sentences - forming a cohesive text
What aspect did John Swales explore
Discourse community - members share a set of common goals
What is a Discourse community
A discourse community has members who :
•Share a set of common goals,
•Communicate internally - using and ‘owning’ one or more genres of communication,
•Use specialist lexis and discourse,
•Possess a required level of knowledge and skill to be considered eligible to participate in the community
Discourses are constantly changing as members exercise their creativity in adapting and refreshing the language they use
What are Pragmatics
Pragmatics refers to the idea of assumed meanings, where people know how things work because they share Inferences (unspoken understandings)
Pragmatics and power are strongly interconnected (there is power in knowledge)
If you know the rules of a community you can participate in it - if you don’t then you are destined to be an outsider.
What did Drew and Heritage say
Suggest that members of a discourse community share inferential frameworks with each other, consisting of implicit ways of thinking, communicating and behaving.
They also suggest that there are strong hierarchies of power within organisations, with many asymmetrical relationships marked by language use
One example of this is the idea that there are constraints in individuals dictating the language they are allowed to use
