VCE English Language Question Thread

[QueenSmarty]

Do euphemisms help to meet positive face needs or negative face needs?

[Bri MT]

Do euphemisms help to meet positive face needs or negative face needs?

Positive face needs.
Negative face needs are about having the freedom to say as you wish

[EulerFan102]

So our teacher gave us a massive metalanguage list, and I'm concerned about one of the examples; I've attached it below. I'm not sure that 'blue' is an abstract noun?
Could someone explain why it is/isn't for me please?
~A.E.H

Hey there! 

So you're right to be a bit suspicious of the label "abstract noun" for "blue" in this instance. That's because it's an adjective in the example sentence. We can rearrange it into the noun phrase "the blue sky", where "blue" is in the classic adjective position between a determiner and a noun. We can also substitute in some very adjective-y adjectives ("as beautiful as the sky", "as big as the sky", "as deceitful as the sky") and these all work, whereas substituting in a noun sounds super weird ("as table as the sky", "as mushroom as the sky"). So it really looks like "blue" is an adjective in this sentence.

Okay, well let's look at this new sentence: "I love the blue of that car." Now this is different. We've still got a determiner before the "blue", but this time it appears to be in the noun position. We can do similar substitutions to before, and this time it's looking like a noun.

So "blue" can be an adjective or a noun. In the example sentence, it's an adjective. As to whether it's an abstract or concrete noun, I guess that depends on your definitions. You can still see blue, but it's not a concrete object. I'd say it's probably more on the abstract noun side of things, but no doubt some linguists would disagree.

[Mapleflame]

Hey there! 

So you're right to be a bit suspicious of the label "abstract noun" for "blue" in this instance. That's because it's an adjective in the example sentence. We can rearrange it into the noun phrase "the blue sky", where "blue" is in the classic adjective position between a determiner and a noun. We can also substitute in some very adjective-y adjectives ("as beautiful as the sky", "as big as the sky", "as deceitful as the sky") and these all work, whereas substituting in a noun sounds super weird ("as table as the sky", "as mushroom as the sky"). So it really looks like "blue" is an adjective in this sentence.

Okay, well let's look at this new sentence: "I love the blue of that car." Now this is different. We've still got a determiner before the "blue", but this time it appears to be in the noun position. We can do similar substitutions to before, and this time it's looking like a noun.

So "blue" can be an adjective or a noun. In the example sentence, it's an adjective. As to whether it's an abstract or concrete noun, I guess that depends on your definitions. You can still see blue, but it's not a concrete object. I'd say it's probably more on the abstract noun side of things, but no doubt some linguists would disagree.

Thanks, that helps a lot

[EulerFan102]

Do euphemisms help to meet positive face needs or negative face needs?

In my books, euphemism and face needs are not super related. Euphemisms are closely related to the topic of taboo (to quote the study design: "Students learn that formal language enables users to carefully negotiate social taboos through the employment of euphemisms, non-discriminatory language, and political correctness."). Euphemisms are used to avoid taboo terms. Want to talk about taking a shit? "Going to the bathroom" is a nicer way to discuss that action. Euphemisms can also be used to obscure the truth; politicians do this a lot. These sort of euphemisms are not closely related to face needs.

That being said, there may be some overlap between euphemism and face needs. You could possibly say that using euphemisms maintains a listener's positive face needs, as you could be showing that they're respected/liked enough that you are careful with your language. On the other hand, using taboo terms in close-knit social circles could have a similar effect.

[RubyH]

This is my first anything so I don't even know if I'll get an answer but anyway...
My school has a problem with english language, well actually it's not even the school it's just the principal. I've worked my arse off to try and get it to go ahead (rounding up students and getting support from teachers, the head of english is all for it), but the other day I was talking to my principal around the school and he said 'I can't understand why you want to do it and why you're trying so hard to make it go ahead.' I'm very annoyed and stressed because I don't think it will go ahead and I don't think I could get a decent score in standard english. The decision lies with him but he doesn't believe that anyone would get a good score in it because we're not a top school. It went ahead in past years and been fine but they refuse to run it anymore because a group of students one year treated it as a complete bludge.
My older sister does english language at another school and absolutely loves it. I have a general idea of what it's about but could someone please tell me more about the subject? I understand that it can be quite hard but the students I rounded up are more than capable. Can you tell me all the good things about it so that I can use them against my principal?
Thanks, Ruby
Year 10

I have recieved my blocking for next year and english language is going ahead. We also have rumours of the school trying to find a teacher who has taught it successfully somewhere else too. Very happy day.

[Joseph41]

I have recieved my blocking for next year and english language is going ahead. We also have rumours of the school trying to find a teacher who has taught it successfully somewhere else too. Very happy day.

That's amazing news, Ruby. Seriously stoked to hear that - congratulations!

You're going to love it. Your hard work here will pay off. Let us know if you have any EngLang questions!

[EulerFan102]

I have recieved my blocking for next year and english language is going ahead. We also have rumours of the school trying to find a teacher who has taught it successfully somewhere else too. Very happy day.

Wooohoooo!! That's fantastic news! 
Great to see your efforts have been worth it. Hope you love EngLang 

[exit]

Hi guys. Some things that are terribly confusing me when reading essay topics.. if you could answer that would be super helpful!~:

1. Hows does something qualify as a 'variety' of Australian English?
2. What exactly is Standard Australian English and how does it differ from other varieties?
3. What draws the line between non-Standard English and Standard English?
4. In an essay talking about Standard Australian English and its uses what sort of examples do I use to demonstrate this? Do colloquialisms/shortenings fall within the ambit of SAE?

Much appreciated.

[EulerFan102]

Hi guys. Some things that are terribly confusing me when reading essay topics.. if you could answer that would be super helpful!~:

1. Hows does something qualify as a 'variety' of Australian English?
2. What exactly is Standard Australian English and how does it differ from other varieties?
3. What draws the line between non-Standard English and Standard English?
4. In an essay talking about Standard Australian English and its uses what sort of examples do I use to demonstrate this? Do colloquialisms/shortenings fall within the ambit of SAE?

Much appreciated.

Hey there!
Great questions 

1. Hmm, interesting one to define. I would say that a 'variety' is a kind of Australian English spoken by a group of people. Obviously a very broad definition, but 'variety' is a very broad term. Often you can label 'varieties' with a more specific bit of metalanguage, like dialect, sociolect and ethnolect. For instance, Lebanese Australian English is a variety of Australian English, more specifically an ethnolect.
2. Standard Australian English is a variety of Australian English that is most often used in formal settings, like parliament and court. It differs from more informal language in many ways. It often has more complex syntactic structures, more jargon, more elevated lexis, more nominalisation and high levels of cohesion and coherence, as well as a lack of sentence fragments, slang and colloquialisms.
3. There is no line between non-Standard and Standard English. Instead, there is a continuum of 'Standard-ness'. For instance, a legal document and a newspaper may both use Standard English, but the legal document was probably 'more' Standard.
4. There are plenty of examples that would be great to use. Parliamentary speeches, legal documents, eulogies and government brochures will all (most likely) be in Standard English. A nice one that I found recently would be Malcolm Turnbull's response to the Manchester bombings earlier this year (video link here). Turnbull's language was very formal and highly standard, as was appropriate for such a serious speech.

Hope these answers help 

[exit]

Hey there!
Great questions 

1. Hmm, interesting one to define. I would say that a 'variety' is a kind of Australian English spoken by a group of people. Obviously a very broad definition, but 'variety' is a very broad term. Often you can label 'varieties' with a more specific bit of metalanguage, like dialect, sociolect and ethnolect. For instance, Lebanese Australian English is a variety of Australian English, more specifically an ethnolect.
2. Standard Australian English is a variety of Australian English that is most often used in formal settings, like parliament and court. It differs from more informal language in many ways. It often has more complex syntactic structures, more jargon, more elevated lexis, more nominalisation and high levels of cohesion and coherence, as well as a lack of sentence fragments, slang and colloquialisms.
3. There is no line between non-Standard and Standard English. Instead, there is a continuum of 'Standard-ness'. For instance, a legal document and a newspaper may both use Standard English, but the legal document was probably 'more' Standard.
4. There are plenty of examples that would be great to use. Parliamentary speeches, legal documents, eulogies and government brochures will all (most likely) be in Standard English. A nice one that I found recently would be Malcolm Turnbull's response to the Manchester bombings earlier this year (video link here). Turnbull's language was very formal and highly standard, as was appropriate for such a serious speech.

Hope these answers help 

Amazing and clear answer. Thanks so much

[mtDNA]

Just a quick question:

With respect to the non-metalanguage based AC structure, what would you exactly base your paragraphs on?

For my AC SAC, we got a persuasive text, whereby the function was quite distinct from the social purpose, so I was able to do a Function/Social Purpose/Register structure. However, I’ve found that some texts lack that ulterior motive, particularly if it’s just a plain conversation. In such a situation where the function is essentially the social purpose, what structure could you use?

Thanks in advance!

[EulerFan102]

Just a quick question:

With respect to the non-metalanguage based AC structure, what would you exactly base your paragraphs on?

For my AC SAC, we got a persuasive text, whereby the function was quite distinct from the social purpose, so I was able to do a Function/Social Purpose/Register structure. However, I’ve found that some texts lack that ulterior motive, particularly if it’s just a plain conversation. In such a situation where the function is essentially the social purpose, what structure could you use?

Thanks in advance!

Hey mtDNA,

I always structured my essay with the method you're mentioning, and personally I think it's the best way to do it. The base for each paragraphs depends a lot on the particular text, but I often chose from function/social purpose/register/relationship between participants. One of the sample ACs from the 2015 exam (p5-6, link here) is a nice example of an AC featuring paragraphs on all four.

I think that this is a great way to structure, no matter what the text is. You'll always be able to differentiate the function from the social purpose, even for a "plain conversation". For instance, the previous AC I mentioned is about a conversation where the function is to tell a funny story and the social purpose is to build rapport.

[elaine18]

Hello. I am seriously struggling with English language. Could someone please give me advice on how I could study for section a, the analytical commentary and the essay?
 The only essay I feel comfortable with writing on is on individual identity... I haven't been able to write another essay on other topics such as informal vs formal....as I don't feel comfortable with them, plus I can't think of what to write. I'm worried about not getting a decent score on the exam , I really want to get at least 30+ for eng Lang.

could someone please explain to me the difference between positive and negative face needs, colloquialism vs slang, the difference between function and social purpose, and what is 'contextual factors' .

How should I structure an analytical commentary?
What is the best way for me to consolidate the meta language for English language?

Thank you 😊

[Bri MT]

Hello. I am seriously struggling with English language. Could someone please give me advice on how I could study for section a, the analytical commentary and the essay?
 The only essay I feel comfortable with writing on is on individual identity... I haven't been able to write another essay on other topics such as informal vs formal....as I don't feel comfortable with them, plus I can't think of what to write. I'm worried about not getting a decent score on the exam , I really want to get at least 30+ for eng Lang.

could someone please explain to me the difference between positive and negative face needs, colloquialism vs slang, the difference between function and social purpose, and what is 'contextual factors' .

How should I structure an analytical commentary?
What is the best way for me to consolidate the meta language for English language?

Thank you 😊

Positive face needs: desire to be liked & respected
Negative face needs: desire to be able to speak freely without imposition
Function: this is generally more obvious, and is the "basic level" eg. To inform, to entertain, to persuade,
Social purpose: this is generally more hidden, and is "deeper" eg "to promote positive perception of ____",
So for instance, a meme may have the function to entertain and a social purpose of building rapport
The level crossing removal ads have a function of informing, and a social purpose of portraying the government as making good decisions and improving Victoria

Contextual factors: These are influences from our environment that affect language use
Eg.
-Where are you? The same person would talk different at the MCG, school, home & parliament (likewise for different places on the Internet)
-What's happened/happening? A crisis and celebration demand different communication

How you structure an analytical commentary will depend on the text, but generally: intro, BP1, BP 2, BP 3
Examples of body paragraph topics  include: function & social purpose, social purpose, coherence & cohesion, prosodics, lexicology, register,

At this point, I would use Quizlet or something similar to memorise metalanguage