Shaverray Notice

Form 6B
Communication Studies
Analysis of Reflective Piece

The story Misconception recounts the life of a black Jamaican woman
by the name of Donna, coping under the wings of her light-skinned sister.
The issue of skin bleaching and it's physical, social and mental effects are
brought into perspective with the use of the various elements of language
presented in the story. Dominating are communicative behavior and
dialectal variation portrayed by the principal characters of the reflective
piece.
Communicative behaviour is significantly portrayed in the story non-
verbally. The initial example is presented to us as Donna and Stacy-Ann
converse with each other at the beginning of the story. "Donna remarked
disdainfully while rolling her eyes". We observe Donna's vain attitude
towards Stacy-Ann with the act of eye-rolling. This gesture implicity
signifies a sense of annoyance and also provides a hint of contempt. She is
annoyed by the fact that her sister is evidently progressing, while Donna is
being left behind. Moreover, it also suggests that Stacy-Ann's busy, high
and hype life is just the typical norm, which Donna classes a nuisance.
Based on the situation, one can safely conclude that Donna is envious of
Stacy-Ann, and her gesture of eye-rolling cements this.
Another example of communicative behaviour in the story is when
Donna "plopped herself in Stacy-Ann's cozy antique couch". To "plop" is
to let the body drop heavily. This not only denotes frustration and
exasperation but also exudes a sense of melancholy. The passage not too
long after states that Donna is "tired of being the 'odd one out'" and that
"she was tired of the 'indigent way of living". Having been under the
financial and literal shelter of her striving sister, Donna yearns not only for a
sense of independence but a prosperous life of her own. She expresses
this longing by demonstrating her frustration via "plopping herself" in the
couch.
Dialectal variation is also portrayed in the reflective piece. We see
the varying uses of dialect by the main characters Stacy-Ann and Donna.
Stacy-Ann utilizes mesolect/Standard English while Donna speaks
basolect/Jamaican Creole. "Hey Donna, I need you to pick up the mail
today" uttered by Stacy-Ann versus Last time mi did check a mussi 10 letta
did deh deh fi yuh" said by Donna indicates this. Their different usage of
dialect parallels their differences in status, social mobility and class. Stacy-
Ann clearly occupies a position in the higher class, and Donna on the other
hand is of the lower class. The lives of both women are contrasting in terms
of financial stability, upbringing and background. Stacy-Ann is, and seems
to be more far more learned than Donna, hence her use of the Standard
English. Donna is far more accustomed to the unprofessional, uneducated
way of life thus her prominent use of Jamaican Creole.
The use of communicative behaviour and dialectal variation aids to
project the theme of the reflective piece and also to solidify the general
topic being discussed.