Citation
Gee, James P.”Literacy, Discourse, and Linguistics: Introduction.” Journal of Education 171.1 (1989): 5-17. Print.
Summary
Gee says that discourse can be seen from two different perspectives. One perspective sees language as grammar and sentence structure, the other believes language is dependent on the context. Gee sees discourses as both. Both the reader and the writer bring identity to the conversation.
Analysis
I thought this reading was extremely interesting. I know from experience that learning is extremely context specific. I also agree that discourse is an “identity kit,” that allows us to create ourselves. I know I try to “find” myself when I’m reading a difficult text. Finding relationships between words and experience help me understand and retain information.
I am Articulate
Summary
Scotts Poem takes a deeper look at what it means to be articulate. We generally view artic through a very narrow lens. Someone who is articulate has an extensive vocabulary to complement their knowledge of grammar. People with this gift have the ability to engineer “smart” sentences. Scott has three different way of speaking all of which she views equally. A persons ability to speak well so be dependent on context. She even points out “That’s the rules of THIS. A persons ability to speak well so be dependent on context. She even points out “That’s the rules of THIS English.”
Scott goes on to show how language is used to put down people of color. Blacks who aren’t able to speak “School language” may be seen as uneducated. Terms like “broken English” Unable to fully adapt to the linguistic standard place upon them by their former captor and viewed as less as a result of this only adds to the ideology that black
Analysis
Terms like “broken English” Unable to fully adapt to the linguistic standard place upon them by their former captor and viewed as less as a result of this only adds to the ideology that black isn’t good. The hair was a good comparison.
One’s success in language is based on their ability to effectively communicate to reach the desired result. Someone is articulate when they have an extensive knowledge of the vocabulary and grammar that’s used based on a specific social system.
Citation
Lowi, R. Q. (2005). Codeswitching: An Examination of Naturally Occurring Conversation. In ISB4: Proceedings of the 4th International Symposium on Bilingualism (pp. 1393-1406). Somerville, MA: Cascadilla Press.
Summary
Lowi’s code switch experiment looked at conversations between bilingual speakers to examine the significance of switching between new and native tongue in communication. Code-switching true purpose is to establish a sense of trust and community between those who have moved from the countries they were born in a foreign land that although familiar may not feel like home.
Analysis
Code-switching is effective at doing what its suppose to, creating a sense of familiarity that comforting for two people who share a background and share the experience of living outside the world they were born in.
Citation
Swales, J.S. (1990) The Concept of Discourse Community, Genre Analysis: English in Academic and Research Settings, 468-479.
Summary
Swales goal in writing this essay was to develop a more ridge definition for discourse community than a group of people who share the same values. Swales believes linguistic understand the “nature” of what it means to be a discourse community an accept it as the definition. Swales believes the current definitions for discourse community are far too ambiguous for study; he provides six criteria that are both necessary and sufficient for defining a discourses community.
- a broadly agreed set of public goals
- mechanisms of intercommunication between members
- participatory mechanisms primarily to provide information and feedback
- utilizes one or more genres in communicative furtherance of its aims
- acquisitions of specific lexis
- a ratio between experts and new members
Analysis
I definitely recognize some of the elements Swales suggests within the context of group dynamics in my own life. My group of friends definitely have specific words or phrases that only we understand (mostly made up by me). I wish he would have expanded on the idea of commonality of goal vs shared interest. What I found most interesting was the Cafe Owner Problem. A, B, C would form a discourse community if they interacted, however without this interaction she cannot be considered a “community.” This makes me wonder if those who prefer solitude are a group are considered a “group” themselves. Savants, people who demonstrate mental and cognitive abilities far past what is considered normal have many things in common aside from smart. Most prefer to work alone.