Language Scrapbook 1

The Genre of this text is an advertisement poster for Child Line. Due to its illustrations and 'child' stated within the title, I can infer that the audience of this poster is children. Children who have a problem or issue 'bottled' up, and need someone to talk to. The purpose of this poster is to inform children they have someone to confide in. The poster demonstrates a positive metaphor for the children, as they have used a bottle illustration to represent a child's 'bottled' up emotions, and also used an explosion from the bottle which resonates with a child's release of those thoughts and feelings once they talk to somebody. Due to the colours used, for example, orange, blue and white, I can deduce that this poster's context of production was produced with a comforting message, as those colours are very soothing and calming. At the top of the poster is the important information which the children needs to know to contact 'Child Line'. In the middle of the text the slogan reads 'Don't bottle it up' 'Talk to us'. This is a friendly commanding statement enforced to the children to convey the importance of sharing any locked up emotion. The text ends with the Child Line email address, once again signifying where they need to go if they have any worries or issues that they wish to share. Within the context of reception, the text will most likely be read by children at schools, doctors, libraries, and other places which children may visit. The text will be read by children due to the written mode in which the text is shared. The short and simple text and language used within the poster, is important to a child who is reading as they will be more able to remember vital information from the text, and fulfil its purpose.

''You Should Always Use English Correctly''

‘You should always use English correctly’

The statement ‘You should always use English correctly’ in my opinion is incorrect. Although I do believe using the correct English in some situations, e.g. a job interview, may make you appear more intelligent, in normal everyday life there should not be a compulsory form of speech for each individual. Consequently, when you communicate with friends and family. Imagine feeling forced into pronouncing each word ‘correctly’. Imagine not even feeling relaxed when gossiping with your friends. Imagine the world if all people were manufactured the same.

 It is certain that the ‘correct’ English is a matter of personal opinion. It can fall under many categories for example a social group conformity. This is demonstrated for example from a group of adolescent boys from East London. Stereotypically, they will be within a social group which will use a form of slang words. This is a pivotal communication technique between their group. If we analyse the words of which they refer to such as ‘bruv’ ‘fam’ or ‘blood’ we can infer they use these references to piece together a ‘family’. If the right to speak freely was taken away from this social group, then so would their family unit.

The statement of ‘always’ has the possibility of being a frightening factor. This is evident during ‘jargon’, where code words and phrases are expressed to alarm who needs to be, and dis-alarm others in events of crisis. If the statement ‘you should always use English correctly’ was to be enforced, this could cause a scene of commotion in a preventable situation.    

According to statistics, only 20% of British people speak English correctly. This could be perceived as people wanting to distinguish individuality. This means using terms and phrases which appeal to them, and speaking them in an order of their choosing. Some people like to feel unique, and enjoy the feeling of individuality of speaking ‘incorrectly’. Using words in a manner of which is sporadic and messy may feel comfortable with some members of society, as they may want to express a rebellious attitude to some of the harsh conformities of society.

Everyone should not feel the need to conform to society’s expectations of how we should always speak ‘correctly’. If you feel comfortable speaking a certain way, why shouldn’t you be allowed? Higher individuals in our social hierarchy such as senior corporate executives, senior professionals, government ministers, etc. do speak what is known as ‘correct’ English. However, professional life does not have to conflict with a social life. For example, many people have learned to listen to another’s speak pattern and to ‘bend’ their own speech toward theirs. This will aid communication and get the other person feeling more at ease. When the other person is at ease and hearing a familiar speech pattern, they are usually much more receptive to new information and new ideas, and are a lot more willing to ask questions than if they feel they will be judged by their speech pattern or choice of words.

The way an individual personally speaks gives them a form of identity. This may like them to their roots, social class, gender, family background and social group. Nobody has the ‘right’ to take away another’s individuality. Which is why I strongly disagree with the statement ‘You should always use English correctly’.

Topical Language Issues

For our English Language Enrolment Challenge, we viewed three video clips uploaded on the English Language Blog, we then had to formulate a balanced argument of the statement 'You should always use English correctly'.

In our first English Language lesson we were shown this video clip-

After we had all viewed the clip, we got into small groups to discuss reasons for and against the topical language statement. We then did a class discussion to formulate all our individual ideas and combine them to understand whether we would agree with or disagree with the statement.