English Questions – Page 101

In what ways do the articles above celebrate language diversity?

In both of the articles, language diversity is something that is both praised and supported. Although set in different parts of the world, both authors aim to portray the benefits of language diversity through the presentation and analysis of real life examples.

2) Are the articles critical of language diversity? Language blending? Language change?

No, they are not. I personally thought they did very well in portraying the positives of language diversity, but appeared to be biased, since they did not give their audiences both sides of the story at hand. They both proposed new innovations that language diversity can be incorporated in, not mentioning any limitations of the diversity of language.

3) What are the possible reasons for people who ‘code switch’ to feel self-conscious about using language combinations in public?

The most common reason is that they thing that if they do not do that ‘code-switch’, they will essentially be made fun of by the people who surround them, making them feel embarrassed. Furthermore, feeling like the odd one out within a group is not a favoured feeling, it is best for one to feel that they are like the rest of their friends, so that they enjoy their time with them without feeling left out.

4) Why would linguists be interested in studying language change?

It was mentioned in the articles that language change could have significantly affect both culture and the way that language is perceived and consequently taught. Language change is therefore extremely interesting, not only because of its effects, but also in the way that it changes.

5) What are the possible reasons for wanting to slow or stop the change of language use in a particular country?

Possible reasons include wanting to stick to the true identity of a country in the sense that language change could potentially hinder the value that the true identity of a country has. In addition, it is important to recognise that different generations have been affected by language change both at different levels and different times, leading to the changes varying from one generation to another.

6) How should public education, in a given country, handle the instruction of the dominant native language? How should educators approach language variations?

Personally, I think that when a language is taught, it should be taught in its classic form, therefore without any changes to it depending on language change. An example of this is the Arabic language, when it is taught, it is taught in its classical form, where all dialects are put to a side, obliging students to be able to communicate, write and read fluently in that particular form of Arabic. The reason why language should not be taught in their changed forms is because a language is special because of its own characteristics, when these characteristics intertwine with others and are tweaked, the language loses the identity and value it once had.