ENGLISH LANGUAGE III 2022

UNIT 1: LANGUAGE AND

COMMUNICATION

INTEGRATED PRACTICE OF THE

WHOLE UNIT
 REVIEW OF SUBTOPICS:

• Human and non-human communication / Non-verbal

Communication

• The power of language

• People’s “slanguage”

• English as a lingua franca

• Linguistic imperialism and the demise of minority languages

• Language and cognition [not included in the Term Test]

 NON-VERBAL COMMUNICATION
By now, it is common knowledge that non-verbal communication plays a
key role in our interactions with others. However, there are instances in
which non-verbal cues might be present only in a small amount, or they
might not be present at all.
 NON-VERBAL COMMUNICATION

The Internet has changed the way we communicate with

each other, the way we learn about the world and the way
we conduct business – Ron Wyden.

How has the internet changed how we

communicate with each other?

How do we convey non-verbal language in

online communication?

Are online mediums more prone to

causing misunderstandings?
 NON-VERBAL COMMUNICATION
Discuss the following quote. To what extent do you agree with it?

“We’re losing social skills, the human

interaction skills, how to read a
person’s mood, to read their body
language, how to be patient until the
moment is right to make or press a
point. Too much exclusive use of
electronic information dehumanizes
what is a very, very important part of
community life and living together.” -
Vincent Nichols, Cardinal of the
Roman Catholic Church.
 SENTENCE BUILDING
Combine the structure on the left with TWO of the lexical items on the
right so as to form one grammatically correct, stylistically appropriate,
and logically meaningful sentence. You may not change the words given.
You must conjugate the verbs into their correct form.

Begin your sentence with • Subversive

“No sooner” (inversion) • To endure
• Unfettered
Before you start, remember to follow some
steps that will help you be organized in your
production

1- CHECK GRAMMAR STRUCTURE YOU

ARE ASKED TO USE

https://www.grammarly.com/blog/what-is-se
ntence-inversion/

2- Go over your knowledge of the lexical

items
subversive ideas, activities etc are secret and intended to damage or
destroy a government or an established system

He was engaged in subversive activities.

subversive propaganda/literature

unfettered adjective formal

not restricted by laws or rules
unfettered economic activity

To endure [transitive] to be in a difficult or painful situation for a long time

without complaining // to remain alive or continue to exist for a long time

It seemed impossible that anyone could endure such pain.

The people in this country have endured almost a decade of economic

hardship.
 SENTENCE BUILDING
Combine the structure on the left with TWO of the lexical items on the
right so as to form one grammatically correct, stylistically appropriate,
and logically meaningful sentence. You may not change the words given.
You must conjugate the verbs into their correct form.

Use a Third Conditional • To undermine

Structure • Endangered
• To harp on
 Remember the steps!

1- GRAMMATICAL STRUCTURE REQUIRED:

3RD TYPE CONDITIONAL SENTENCE

ly, but
ke
er e li
tw
s tha
n
n d itio pen.
all co ot hap
r e n
es e a ly did
Th ettab
r
reg
Note that when using the third conditional, we use
the past perfect (i.e., had + past participle) in the
if-clause. The modal auxiliary (would, could, should,
etc.) + have + past participle in the main clause
expresses the theoretical situation that could have
happened.
un‧der‧mine /ˌʌndəˈmaɪn $ -ər-/ ●●○ verb [transitive]
to gradually make someone or something less strong or effective

economic policies that threaten to undermine the health care system

undermine somebody’s confidence/authority/position/credibility etc

The constant criticism was beginning to undermine her confidence.

an endangered animal, bird etc is one that may soon no longer exist because there are so
few of them

The lizards are classed as an endangered species.

harp on about something informal

to talk about something continuously, especially in a way that is annoying or boring

My grandfather harps on about the war all the time.

 SENTENCE BUILDING
Combine the structure on the left with TWO of the lexical items on the
right so as to form one grammatically correct, stylistically appropriate,
and logically meaningful sentence. You may not change the words given.
You must conjugate the verbs into their correct form.

Begin your sentence with • To steer clear of

“Rather than” • Unassailable
• To remain adamant
 SENTENCE TRANSFORMATION

Rewrite each sentence following the instructions given. Do not change

the original meaning of the sentence.
1- . As a child gets more sophisticated in the nuances of the English sound
system, educators can draw on skills based tasks so that the learner's
language can change and give rise to more complex grammar structures
with novel sentence constructions. Use TO MORPH and a structure of
incremental repetition.

2- The truth of the matter is that those who have a fluent grip over the
English language tend to receive a higher salary and promotions. Those
who do not, encounter difficulties in finding good career prospects. Form
one sentence and use "as opposed to"
3. The wider a slang word spreads into adult's speech, the
most likely that it will be doomed to failure in teen's slang
since it does not suit the role of creating in-group identity.
Use TO ROCKET and begin your sentence with " Rather
than"

4. The inability of migrants to speak the first language of

a country to which they have travelled often arises suspicion
and alienation. UN representatives are making a mollifying
effort to bridge the gap by translating from one language to
another, and from one culture to another. Join the
sentences and use “Due to”
 THE POWER OF LANGUAGE
Read the following quote. Why is language powerful? Consider the
material you have read and watched. Provide concrete examples as to
when language is an instrument of domination and when it is an
instrument of domination.

Language is power, life

and the instrument of
culture, the instrument of
domination and liberation.
Angela Carter
 SLANGUAGE
Does slanguage help
language evolve? Or is
slanguage the demise
of “proper” language?

“Slang is vigorous and apt. “Slang is the speech of him

Probably most of our vital who robs the literary
words were once slang” garbage carts on their way
- John Galsworthy to the dumps.” - Ambrose
Bierce
 LEXICAL DEVELOPMENT
Read the definitions and state which option is correct:

1. To not be able to say anything because somebody else

is talking all the time:
a. To say sth under someone’s breath
b. Can’t get a word in edgeways

2. To talk incessantly:
a. To talk the hind leg off a donkey Now, use the
b. To set tongues wagging expressions in three
different sentences!

3. To talk quickly and without stopping

a. To gloss over
b. To talk a blue streak
 LEXICAL DEVELOPMENT
Replace the underlined structures with the most suitable expression
studied. Make all the changes you need.
Attitudes to Language Change
Jonathan Swift, the 18th-century Irish author, once wrote
that we should find a way to stop our language changing.
Even today, it is common to find this idea - some people
think that language should be frozen in time, and protected
from fashions and social trends. However, others consider
that a community’s identity is inside each language.
Language change is often thought as a negative thing.
During the 18th century, Swift and many other people felt Can you
the English language was in serious decline and that a expand on
national institution - like those that existed in France and these
Italy - should be created to establish rules and preserve ideas?
the language. Even today, we hear people complaining
about the lack of “standards” in spoken and written
English.
 ENGLISH AS A LINGUA FRANCA

English is the largest of human tongues, with several times

the vocabulary of the second largest language this alone
made it inevitable that English would eventually become, as it did,
the lingua franca of this planet, for it is thereby the richest and
most flexible despite its barbaric accretions ... or, I should say,
because of its barbaric accretions. English swallows up anything
that comes its way, makes English out of it.”
— Robert A. Heinlein (American author)

Read the quote. What does the author claim? What is a lingua franca? To
what extent do you agree with this quote?
 ENGLISH AS A LINGUA FRANCA
Discuss the pros and cons of English as a lingua franca.
 LINGUISTIC IMPERIALISM

Observe the comic and discuss. Which specific historical event does it
make reference to? How is it related to linguistic imperialism? What
does the comic imply?
 LINGUISTIC IMPERIALISM
Observe the comic strip. What can you see? What problematic situation is
the comic discussing? What is linguistic imperalism? Does it pose a threat
to linguistic diversity?

“When you lose a

language and a
language goes
extinct, it’s like
dropping a bomb on
the Louvre.
—Michael Krauss

Read the quote. What does it mean? To what extent do you agree with it?
 LINGUISTIC IMPERIALISM

“Linguistic imperialism interlocks with a structure

of imperialism in culture, education, the media,
communication, the economy, politics, and
military activities. In essence it is about
exploitation, injustice, inequality, and hierarchy
that privileges those able to use the dominant
language” - Robert Phillipson

What does the quote mean? To what extent do you agree with it?
 LANGUAGE AND COGNITION

“Language is not
simply a reporting
device for experience
but a defining
framework for it -
Benjamin Lee Whorf

What does the quote mean? Refer to the hypothesis of linguistic relativism
(Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis). How does language affect cognition?
 INTEGRATION
Read the following quote and discuss: To what extent do you agree or
disagree with the quote? Which situations might the quotee be
referring to? Can you establish a relation between this quote and the
topics seen in the unit on Language? What about the unit on Conflicts?

There are times when the power of

language is not the power that is
needed - Leon Wieseltier
KEY TO THE EXERCISES

SENTENCE BUILDING
1. No sooner had minority communities gained awareness of the
subversive power of language than they started denouncing the
historical oppression they had been forced to endure.
2. If the existence of minority languages hadn't been undermined
by the imposition of a foreign majority language, there wouldn't be
a need of protecting endangered languages from their demise.
3. Rather than steering clear of the topic of linguistic imperialism,
the educational system should tackle the seemingly unassailable
statement that some languages are inherently better than others.

LEXICAL DEVELOPMENT (multiple choice)

1. b
2. a
3. b
KEY TO THE EXERCISES

REPLACING EXPRESSIONS:

Attitudes to Language Change

Jonathan Swift, the 18th-century Irish author, once wrote that we should steer
away from stopping our language changing. Even today, there are multiple
prevailing opinions - some people put forward/cling to the idea that language
should be frozen in time, precluding it from following fashions and social
trends. However, others consider that a community’s identity is rooted in the
linguistic system.

Language change is often thought as drawback dooming perfect

languages in failure. During the 18th century, Swift and many other
people felt the English language was in serious decline and that a national
institution - like those that existed in France and Italy – could flourish, by
establishing rules and preserve the language. Even today, we hear people
complaining about sloppy speech and slanguage in spoken and written
English.
TRANSFORMATIONS

1- The more sophisticated the child's nuances of the English sound

system get, the more the learner's language can morph into
complex grammar structures with novel sentence constructions by
the use of skills based tasks.

2- The truth of the matter is that those who have a fluent grip
over the English language tend to receive a high salary and
promotions, as opposed to those who encounter difficulties in
finding good career prospects due to poor language management.
3- Rather than rocketing to popularity, a slang word
that spreads into adult's speech will most likely be
doomed to failure in teen's speech since it does not suit
the role of creating in-group identity.

4- Due to the fact that migrants' inability to speak the

first language of a country to which they have travelled
often arises suspicion and alienation, UN representatives
are making a mollifying effort to bridge the gap by
translating from one language to another, and from one
culture to another.