Abstract Code-switching is the mixing of more than one language between both speakers in the conversation. This paper examines code-switching, providing multiple examples. It also discusses reasons for code-switching, various ways to code-switch and grammatical types of code-switching. In conclusion, the paper compares the advantages and disadvantages of code-switching, especially code-switching in the classroom.
From the Paper "Professionals studying code-switching continue to debate about the advantages and disadvantages of code-switching for second language learners. Some arguments against code-switching say it is not a true language; one is not fluent enough in either language if code-switching is necessary; or, code-switching is not academically appropriate. On the other hand, there seem to be more arguments in support of code-switching. For example, code-switching is a form of personal expression and preserving one's culture; the ability to code-switch signifies a strong knowledge of two languages; code-switching requires creativity since some Spanish words cannot be translated."
Abstract This paper discusses the evolution of Spanglish; a combination of English and Spanish. Spanglish is also reflective of Anglo and Hispanic civilizations not only in the United States, but throughout the entire continent and possibly Spain. The paper shows that Spanglish is the way of communicating where a speaker starts in one language, then switches back and forth to another through code switching and loanwords. Author Ilan Stavans' opinions on Spanglish is discussed.
From the Paper "In contemporary society increased assimilation and multiculturalism have led to the creation of hybrids of English throughout North America. Some Americans are the first generation in their family born in the U.S.; thus, they have grown up speaking two languages -- English and their parents' mother tongue. According to some researchers, 'Spanglish' defies any tight definition, has few rules, and is considered by some linguists to be a new dialect of English (Toribio 89). The southwestern United States borders Mexico; thus, the immigrants coming here over the years has led to the spread of Spanglish, a language that is a combination of Spanish and English."
Abstract This paper focuses on language as it defines cultural identity. The paper examines the lives of individuals that have experienced a cultural separation from society, discovering their personal and cultural identities through language. The paper then further discusses how school age children develop their attitudes about their lives and the world through the acceptance by society of their cultures and their languages of origin.
From the Paper "Language As a Definition of Cultural Identity Individuals that are born into specific cultures are taught through the practices of the culture how to relate to one another, what is acceptable in society, and what their roles are within the constraints of the cultural system. Just as children comprehend gender specifics from their interactions with parental figures from the time that they are born, culture becomes a significant part of the identity of the child because until socialization with the rest of the world begins with school enrollment, the child understands the world specifically through the culture that he or she is associated with. Language is a significant part of that cultural identity. Regardless of the language, each culture communicates with one another with variations of the proper spoken word, such as through slang, phrases, or abbreviated words."
Abstract This paper analyzes the essay "Mother Tongue" by Amy Tan in comparison to the work "If Black English isn't a Language, Then tell me, what is?" by James Baldwin. The paper first summarizes the two essays, and then compares their usage of examples and the tone of each author. The paper concludes that Amy Tan's work is more effective because of the success of these factors.
From the Paper "Amy Tan describes the effects of language as based upon personal experiences, while James Baldwin describes the linguistic heritage of his language upon the society and culture of African Americans. As thus, in some regards, they remain difficult to compare or contrast. However, Amy Tan's effectual use of specific examples and her tone throughout the piece contributes to making her piece, "Mother Tongue," clearer than "If Black English Isn't a Language, Then Tell Me, What is?" by James Baldwin. In "Mother Tongue," Amy Tan describes the effect of language--in all of its atmospheres--on her childhood and the early parts of her career. She conveys the multiple versions of English which she utilizes daily, from the 'simple' English she employs with her mother or Chinese family to the standard, grammatically wrought English of formal writing."
Abstract Infants and very small children are extremely receptive of almost all forms of learning. For many years, it was the practice to begin foreign language training at the high school level. However, research suggests that children who begin bilingual education at the pre-school level are the most effective language learners. This paper explains that the myths of dual language acquisition have largely been found to be false: learning more than one language does not lead to confusion or disorders in the learner. The paper also discusses the benefits that occur when bilingual education is begun at a very early age.
This paper discusses elements of poetry in three different poems: Alberto Rios' "Seniors", Edgar Allan Poe's "The Haunted Palace" and Tato LaViera's "American".
675 words (approx. 2.7 pages), 1 source, 2006, $ 26.95
Abstract This paper examines a few outstanding poetic elements which three prominent American poets have used to convey the messages they wish to impart to readers. Along the way the paper notes how each poem, while undeniably great nonetheless, uses different tools to become so. The paper is also quick to note how the best poetry, using the work of Tato LaViera as one example, is able to use common place literary devices like repetition in ways that make predictability agreeable.
From the Paper "Great poetry uses certain techniques in much the same way great fiction uses literary techniques to craft a story or draw a character. This paper will briefly examine three poems - Alberto Rios' "Seniors", Edgar Allan Poe's "The Haunted Palace", and Tato LaViera's "American" - and discuss the dominant poetic elements which animate each. In the end, what should become clear is that there are many different ways of producing memorable poetry in the modern age, and each of these authors does an expert job of finding what is needed to convey the message they wish convey. In Alberto Rios' "Seniors", the reader is confronted with the clever use of both middle and informal diction."
Abstract This five page paper critically examines John Steinbeck's short story, 'The Chrysanthemums' in order to extract the symbolism of the tale. It looks at the central characters of Elisa, Henry and the stranger to evict a deeper understanding of both the characters and the elements of the story. The writer demonstrates that through the symbols, Steinbeck expresses the undercurrent of frustration throughout the tale.
From the Paper "There are many famous short stories, such as Ernest Hemingway's 'Hills Like White Elephants" which, although startlingly short, reveal major insights about both the central characters as well as humanity in general. Through heavy yet artful symbolism, an author can make something seemingly confusing or insignificant manifest itself into a hugely relevant detail. John Steinbeck's "The Chrysanthemums" is one of those tales. Utilizing a variety of symbols, such as Elisa's clothing, images of inside versus outside, fights and flowers, carefully placed throughout the short story, Steinbeck highlights the emotional separation of the main couple--Elisa and Henry--until it appears completely devoid of all hope for any recovery."
Abstract This paper explains that the problem of English language learners (ELLs) learning to write English may be in the failure of the current educational system to distinguish between the differences in the oral and written traditions of the English language. The author points out that ELL students may acquire verbal English skills fairly quickly, which is often mistaken for complete English proficiency; however, research demonstrates that the conventions of written English are far different than spoken English and that ELL students develop written English skills at a rate far slower than the rate at which they develop spoken English skills. The paper relates that ELL students must have a clear understanding of the methodology behind the writing process in order for them to comprehend the general writing traditions of the English language.
Table of Contents:
Discussion
Time Expectations for Adaptation
Conversational English versus Written and Academic English
Failure to Distinguish Oral and Academic Communication in Teaching
Strategies for Teachers
Prewriting
Revising and the "Writer's Workshop"
Journal Writing
Reformulation
Benefits of Encouraging Primary Language Development
Conclusion
From the Paper "The wide variance in writing conventions amongst different languages often forces ELL students to 'unlearn' the conventions of their first language. For example, if a student's first language is a mainly a symbolic, or logographic language, a student may have difficulty learning to form letters that in turn form a word. However, this aspect of language acquisition should not always be considered a hinderance in learning written English. It can also have positive benefits. If a student is already writing in their first language, it is likely that those skills can be utilized to advantage of teaching written English."
Abstract This paper analyzes a dissertation of a conservative scholar, Diane Ravitch, on bilingual education. The paper explores the efficiency of this education method.
From the Paper "Diane Ravitch's position paper, publicized in the Practice of Writing, is taken from her book about education. Ravitch discusses the origins of Bilingual education from the civil rights movement, which inspired racial solidarity, to the Bilingual Education Act of 1968, which endorsed funding for bilingual education. The main theme of Ravitch's paper, however, is her objection to required, mandatory, bilingual education. It is the schools' role, she maintains, to decide how to teach English to non-native English speakers; politicians, Ravitch argues, cannot enforce a pedagogical method on professional educators. While she does not states it explicitly, one also gets the idea that Ravitch opposes bilingual education in any case, as her overall approach towards it is very critical."
Abstract This essay looks at how literature speaks to us and why certain types of communication are called "literature". The essay takes its sources from modernist writers such as Ezra Pound, Virginia Woolf as well as the novels "Waterland" and "Beloved".
Abstract This paper analyzes and examines the differences between American English and Canadian English. In Part II, the national language conflict in Canada is discussed. Part III evaluates the differences between American English and Canadian English are examined. Finally, this paper concludes with a recommendation for embracing bilingualism
From the paper:
"Modern Canada was born out of the Confederation of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Ontario (formerly Upper Canada) and Quebec (formerly Lower Canada), under the 1867 Constitution Act.[1] The constitutional provisions for language were minimal.[2] The Constitution Act, 1867 provided for the use of English or French in the debates and the use of both languages in the records and journals of Parliament and the Quebec legislature, the publication of acts of both bodies in English and French, and the permission to use either language in any court of Canada or Quebec.[3]"
Abstract This paper discusses the importance of Samuel Daniel's "Delia" through its structure and the creation of the modern sonnet. The author explores Daniel's influences including Sir Philip Sidney and Shakespeare, and his use of the Petrarchan writing mechanisms. Further this paper examines the significance of the sonnet to the English Renaissance and European poetry.
From the paper:
"Samuel Daniel's Delia presents to the modern reader a nearly perfect mechanism through which to contemplate the structure of the sonnet in English as it first came to be incorporated into the common practice of this language. His use of Petrarchan forms and metrical traditions demonstrates that the sonnet when it first entered into wide use in the Renaissance was indeed a direct carry-over from the Italian, a mimicking by English writers of the Italianate structure of neoclassicism, a harkening back to Rome and so to Athens."
Abstract This paper examines the history of rhetoric and it's significance in early Greek and Roman civilizations that coincided with creation of democracy and the importance of public speech. It then shows Kenneth Burke's contribution to the new rhetoric as an argumentative weapon and his influence on the post-modern deconstructionism.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Section One: The Preceding Conversation
3. Section Two: Contribution to the Conversation
4. Section Three: Effect on the Conversation
5. Conclusion
From the paper:
"The word "rhetoric" has an old fashioned air about it. It calls up images of schoolrooms with children in ruffled collars and Latin grammars and not a laptop in sight for several centuries. But rhetoric is as alive as is language itself, and this paper examines the importance of rhetorical studies in helping each of us to become the best writers and speakers ? the best communicators ? that we can be. A historical study of changes models and standards in rhetoric can also provide us not only with a sense of how linguistic and especially English style has changed over the years as well as illuminating how our conception of language and its structure and function have changed as well. This paper engages in such an examination by focusing on the work of Kenneth Burke. We begin with a brief overview of the life of this man whose rhetorical work we will then examine."
Abstract This essay focuses on the changes that the Irish language Gaelige underwent throughout the centuries. The main focus is on the history, but it includes the present and the future of the language. It looks at the linguistic roots of the language and the struggle to preserve it today.
From the Paper "The vernacular of a country tells a lot about the country's history, how it grew from just a piece of land to a country with a real story and background, it reveals the changes and influences from inside and outside the country. Ireland's language, Gaeilge, gives a good view of all the changes that have occurred throughout the centuries. It is a language that has resisted for a long time against the languages of invading nations, always changing yet never completely yielding. However, Gaeilge has now arrived at a point in which only a very small part of the Irish population still uses it daily, some even fear it will cease to exist in the future. In this essay there will be looked at the past, the present and the future of the Irish language."
The following paper examines the theories of bilingualism and multilingalism, language acquisition and language learning, making reference to a number of case studies.
Abstract The following paper examines the theories on language acquisition and looks at the useful distinction between acquisition and learning. The writer also comments on approaches and methods to teaching second and foreign languages. Lastly the writer comments on interference as a factor in language learning.
Table of Contents
Bilingualism and Multilingualism
Diglossia
First Language Acquisition
Using a text-mapping device to depict the important stages in first-language acquisition
Theories on how language is acquired
Innateness
Cognition
Input
Approaches and methods to teaching second and foreign languages
Interference as a factor in language learning.
From the Paper "Diglossia is the coexistence of two forms of the same language in speech community. The one form will often be the literary or prestige dialect, and the other one can be a dialect commonly spoken by most of the population. The term diglossia could also be used to indicate bilingualism, or the speaking of two languages by the people of the same community. An example for the first definition is the use of Dutch in Belgium. Dutch is one of the official languages in Belgium. Dutch-speaking Belgians are called the "Flemish" where the French-speaking Belgians are called "Walloons". Dutch spoken by Belgians is also referred to as "Flemish", which is not a literary form of the language, but a spoken "dialect". They are different varieties of the same language."
