Documenti di Didattica
Documenti di Professioni
Documenti di Cultura
) 6/6/13
1. Language is for communication, but it is also used to establish solidarity. Address
terms in different languages have often been examined to investigate the
establishment or negotiation of solidarity. Please cite relevant theories/studies (2
to 3) that explain this phenomenon. Also connect these studies to the address
terms in Chinese (or a language you’re very familiar with). Choose at least two
types of address terms in Chinese (or Southern Min) in Taiwan (or a language
you’re very familiar with) to discuss in terms of the way they establish solidarity
and power relationship (20%).
2. In English there is this term “Ms” to address all women regardless their marital
status and age, thanks to a feminist movement in the 70’s in the US. In Germany,
there are two terms to address women “Fraulein” (for Miss) and “Frau” (Mrs.),
however, in recent years, a shift occurred to minimize to use of “Fraulei”,
replaced by “Frau” for all women regardless of marital status in the German
language. It seems there are no such terms in Chinese in Taiwan to address all
women. Xiao Jeh (小姐) seems to be applied to younger women, but what about
older women? Please discuss in what way this linguistic phenomenon reveals
about gender issues in Taiwan? Provide more linguistic examples (2 to 3) to
illustrate the gender issues in Taiwan (or a language and culture you are very
familiar with). Ensure that you supply sufficient sociolinguistic theories and
research (2 to 3) to support your discussion (30%)
3. What are the variables that affect our speech style and give rise to the language
variety in society? You need to discuss these variables with relevant studies and
research (citing at least 3). (25%)
4. Consider this: K. David Harrison, author of "When Languages Die", estimates
6,900 or so languages are spoken on the planet and that more than half of these
languages are likely to become extinct over the next century.” This is a quote
from Wikipedia, indicating that quite a number of languages are dying or on the
brink of extinction. From a sociolinguistic point of view, shall we save endangered
languages? Please present your arguments citing relevant studies and research
(at least 2) (15%)
5. In discussing language change, many linguists (Wang, 1969, 1977) proposed
lexical diffusion and wave theory. Please explain and give examples of these
theories (10%)