Macapanton, Norkhan D.

Sociolinguistics

MAELS II

What stylistic characteristics do you associate with each of the following activities:

a. talking to a young child Since we view young children cute, we tend to change the way we would talk to them. We would always mimic the way children talk when we converse with them. I think that we do this because we see the cuteness of the quality of the way they speak. On the other hand, I think we are appropriating the way we use language since we are dealing with children, who use relatively basic structures, grammar, etc. b. writing an essay for a professor The context of writing plays a very big role in how a person would compose his message. When we write an essay for our professor, we are prompted to use very formal academic English. As students, whenever we write, we would always bear in mind that all academic requirement should be done using highly formal English. Clearly, our expected audience, our professors, dictates the kind of English that we will use. c. playing a board game with a close friend To some extent, the communication situation tells us how to act in a speaking activity. When I am with my friends, for example playing badminton or board games, I would always be very informal with them. Same thing goes to others because people tend to take their guards down when they are with people close to them. I believe that when we communicate with someone close, we tend to be very relaxed, making us very informal with the use of our language. d. approaching a stranger on the street to ask for directions I think that the way we would approach a stranger depends on the place/country we are in. If it is just anywhere in the Philippines, especially in the provinces, I think that we would be informal but we would use a very soft tone. We would try to be very polite. On the other hand, when we are overseas, especially in English speaking countries, we tend to be very formal in asking for directions. Others would even practice first what they are going to ask before actually asking it. e. attending a funeral When we attend funerals, people are always very curious about the last moments of the person who just passed away. People are always asking questions to the family left behind regarding their feelings, emotions, and future plans now that they just lost a family member (as this is the traditional behavior). Furthermore, visitors are also fond of reliving their experiences with the person who just passed away. Overall, people tend to be very careful with their words and questions. Although people are very curious, they still hold back on very sensitive issues, perhaps about division of wealth, extra marital affairs, or illegitimate children.