English - Global Language
What is the difference between informal and formal language? Give concrete examples of each.
The language we use depends on the setting - we always adapt the choice of words and tone to the context we are in.
Informal settings: with friends, family, people we know well.
Formal settings: official meetings, job interviews, talking to strangers or authorities (like your boss)
Formal and informal language in spoken and written contexts: Facebook chat with friends vs. job application, conversation with mum vs. conversation with a professor
Examples of informal language use: sms language (abbreviations: lol, soz, brb), slang, jovial/friendly tone, incomplete sentences, incorrect punctuation, fillers (uh, like, you know), swearing
Examples of formal language use: polite, neutral/professional tone, advanced vocabulary, write/talk in full sentences with correct punctuation, clear and concise language use.
What is the sus-law? And how is 'Sonny's Lettah' an anti-sus poem?
Sus-law = Stop and search (and possibly arrest) people based on "suspicious" behavior. Used disproportionately towards ethnic minorities (ex. black people in the UK).
The poem protests the injustice and discriminatory nature of the sus-law through both content and form (latter: language).
What is the 'American Dream'?
The belief that anyone can achieve anything as long as they work hard enough.
When was the last residential school closed in Canada?
1996.
Which award-winning television show depicts the monarchy in the UK?
The Crown
Mention four distinctive English accents/dialects.
American, British, South-African, Indian, Australian, New Zealand, Irish, Scottish, Jamaican.. etc.
Who sits in the 'House of Lords'?
Life peers - appointed for life (for life achievements)
Hereditary Elected Peers
Spiritual peers (Religious leaders)
Explain the triangular trade.
- Brits/Europeans paid for slaves with rum, manufactured goods, and textiles in Africa
- Brought slaves to the Americas (North and South) as workforce on plantations = forced migration
- From America: Shipped coffee, tobacco, cotton, and sugar back to Europe to sell on the European market.
What was the biggest reason for the sharp decline in the Indigenous population in several English-speaking countries?
Yes, colonization, but more specifically: Diseases, such as smallpox and measles, killed more people than warfare. The reason for this was that these germs were foreign to Indigenous people's immune system.
What is the name for the indigenous people in New Zealand?
Maori
Why did many colonies choose to keep English as their official language?
Practical for communication: In some countries, groups of people who speak different languages use English to understand each other
Diplomatic: choosing a “neutral” language to avoid causing conflicts between rivaling groups
Explain the term 'first-past-the-post'.
In general elections, a candidate needs to receive more votes than the opponents from his/her area (constituency) to get a seat in the House of Commons (and become MP). Votes for all other candidates are “wasted” in this system ("winner takes it all").
What are the three branches of government and who makes up each branch?
Executive branch: President, Vice-President and Cabinet
Legislative branch/Congress: House of Representatives and the Senate
Judicial branch: Lower courts and Supreme Court
What do you call the indigenous people in these different English-speaking countries: Canada, the US and Australia?
You need to mention them all in order to get the points.
Canada: First Nation, Métis and Inuit
The US: Native Americans
Australia: Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islander
Name four American states that begin with the letter 'M'.
Michigan, Montana, Massachusetts, Missouri, Maryland, Maine, Minnesota, Mississppi
What do these different terms mean: 'Pidgin', 'Creole' and 'Patois'?
‘Pidgin English’: a simplified language spoken among people that do not share a common language.
'Creole': Starts off as a pidgin language. Can be the native language of a group of people. Non-standard language, but with grammar, vocabulary, specific pronunciation.
'Patois': Non-standard language, can also be used to describe a creole.
What are 'the Troubles' and what time-period does it refer to?
The violent period from the 1960s (lasting until 1998). It describes a period of clashes between Catholic protesters, militant Catholics, and militant Protestants. One of the most violent clashes is known as Bloody Sunday (1972).
1960s - 1998 (Good Friday Agreement)
What are 'Jim Crow'-laws?
Jim Crow laws were state and local laws that enforced racial segregation in the Southern United States (until 1965).
What is cultural appropriation? Mention two controversies regarding this term and indigenous people.
The unacknowledged or inappropriate adoption of the customs, practices, ideas, etc. of one people or society by members of another and typically more dominant people or society.
Washington Redskins, "Indian" costumes (ex. use of headdresses), dreamcatchers, tepees, lacrosse,
What is the controversy surrounding the 'take-a-knee'-campaign in the NFL (the US)?
It's what some NFL players do now during the playing of the national anthem to call attention to alleged police brutality/racial inequality in America, but which has been interpreted by some (especially by those on the right-wing of the political spectrum) as a disrespectful act that insults the American flag and the values the flag represents
Mention three reasons why English has become a global language.
Colonization by the British: Australia, New Zealand, India, South Africa, The Caribbean (Jamaica). Brits established English as the language of trade, government, religion and education in their colonies.
The industrial revolution in the UK – English = language of inventions, science, technology
Although many former colonies gained independence, many chose to keep English as their official language for diplomatic reasons.
Power-shift from UK to US after WW2 (after loss of colonies. US = strong economic, military, cultural superpower. Became main driver for spreading English as world language through cultural imperialism.
Global language = Spoken by people in power.
What is the Northern Ireland-backstop?
Northern Ireland backstop = Would mean the possibility of closer ties to Republic of Ireland and separation between NI and the rest of the UK. A solution meant to prevent a "hard border" between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
Many MPs (Hard Brexiters), the DUP and Protestants are against this solution.
How many waves of immigration were there? And when did they occur?
Four waves (+ colonial period 1607-1680).
First wave: 1680-1776
Second wave: 1820-1890
Third wave: 1890-1930
Fourth wave: 1966 up until now
Explain the assimilation policies towards Indigenous people in an English-speaking country.
The answer is to be judged by the teacher (me.. hihi)
Who said: 'The truth about stories is that's all we are.'
Thomas King
Massey Lectures (2003).