Dialect, Identity, Power

Text One

1. 1. The type of language and diction used by the narrator isn’t formal at all, but it is appropriate to the time that it was set. The type of language showed that the narrator was confused by the singing.

2. 2. The diction and vocabulary of Paul D is implied through the songs which have been italicized, as well as through the quotes. Also when the narrator describes Paul D, his language is implied.

3. 3. The songs they sang were a way to see the silver lining in the work they were doing. The songs adapted to what they were doing and their situations. So Paul D would sing one song instead of another as it would apply more to his situation.

Text Two

1. 1. The author, Toni Morrison is talking to anyone and everyone who speaks the language to show how powerful it is. Although the vocabulary is quite sophisticated, she shows how powerful it can be.

2. 2. The language she uses is definitely sophisticated as there are many metaphors and quite strong diction. It’s quite weird to see a whole segment of text full of strong language. But it does show power.

3. 3.Her language is definitely academic and quite poetic. She uses intense vocabulary with quite imaginative metaphors. If you don’t read it carefully, you won’t find the full meaning of her words.

4. 4. You can’t “steal” a language. Language isn’t bound to only one person, it’s open to anyone and everyone. On a daily basis one could say that we are all stealing language because of how new words develop from other languages. I don’t believe that using words from another language is stealing.

Text Three

1. 1. The language in the song is really simple and so easy to understand. Also, I hear similar language on a daily basis through the music I listen to.

2. 2. I think this song belongs to many different communities as so many different people can relate to it. The first could be the community of where he came from. Although he’s not originally from Atlanta, he grew up there. Another community could be the younger generations as a good majority of his fans are below the age of 25.

3. 3. The purpose of this song was to show his “haters” that he was back and he would still be relevant and popular. Although it was aimed at his haters, by aiming the marketing at his fans, it made the song more successful.

4. 4. It does in a way go against the dominant community as many different communities don’t know this song or anything about Soulja Boy. But it does also go with the community as it’s quite a mainstream song, and songs dedicated to the haters are quite common in many communities.