2.3.2 Writing about Language Issues

• Order the debates related to language issues from the most conservative to the most progressive viewpoint:

  1️⃣ Prescriptivism

  2️⃣ Language Standardization

  3️⃣ Language Attitudes

  4️⃣ Language Change

  5️⃣ Language Policy
• What is debated under the term 'language change'?

  Evolution of words and grammar
• Match the type of language issue with its example:

  Language Standardization ↔️ Discussions on establishing a "standard" language variety

  Language Attitudes ↔️ Perceptions and biases towards certain dialects or accents

  Language Change ↔️ Evolution of words and grammar over time
• Proficiency in official languages can affect access to employment and education.


  True
• Debates on language change often focus on the evolution of words and grammar
• What is a language issue?

  Debates related to language
• Negative views on regional accents due to perceived lack of intelligence are examples of language attitudes.

  True
• How is language related to cultural identity?

  It is integral to it
• What are key factors that influence language use in different contexts?

  Audience, purpose, setting
• Steps to develop effective arguments on language issues

  1️⃣ Identify the key points of debate

  2️⃣ Research and gather evidence

  3️⃣ Analyze the evidence

  4️⃣ Construct your argument

  5️⃣ Anticipate counterarguments
• A thesis statement in an essay on language issues should outline the writer's position clearly.


  True
• In the conclusion of an essay on language issues, the thesis should be restated in different words
• What is a language issue related to?

  Use, variation, or change
• Language attitudes often involve perceptions and biases towards certain dialects or accents
• Language standardization aims to establish a single "standard" variety of a language
• Prescriptivism vs. Descriptivism debates revolve around "correct" grammar usage
• Language is integral to cultural identity
• What do insights into contextual language use reveal?

  Social and functional aspects
• Decisions on which languages to use in official or public domains are known as language policy
• A debate over whether "ain't" is grammatically acceptable is an example of prescriptivism
• Language barriers can hinder effective interaction among diverse groups, leading to misunderstandings and exclusion
• Language barriers can hinder effective interaction among diverse groups, leading to misunderstandings and exclusion
• Examining how language varies across contextual factors provides insights into its social and functional aspects.

  True
• Essays on language issues require a clear and logical structure
• What should be included in the introduction of an essay on language issues?

  Topic, context, thesis
• Match the type of language issue with its example:

  Prescriptivism vs. Descriptivism ↔️ Debates around "correct" grammar usage

  Language Standardization ↔️ Discussions on establishing a "standard" language variety

  Language Attitudes ↔️ Perceptions and biases towards certain dialects or accents
• Who commonly discusses language issues?

  Linguists, policymakers, the public
• Language policy decisions often have political and social implications.


  True
• How do language barriers impact society?

  Hinder effective communication
• Order the factors influencing language use in communication from most personal to most external:

  1️⃣ Relationship

  2️⃣ Audience

  3️⃣ Purpose

  4️⃣ Setting
• Decisions on which languages to use in official domains fall under language policy.


  True
• Match the type of language issue with its example:

  Prescriptivism vs. Descriptivism ↔️ Debates around "correct" grammar

  Language Standardization ↔️ Establishing a "standard" language variety

  Language Attitudes ↔️ Perceptions towards certain dialects

  Language Change ↔️ Evolution of language over time
• What is an example of a language policy decision?

  Bilingual education programs
• Strong language policies can unite or divide communities, influencing social cohesion.


  True
• Match the factor with its description:

  Audience ↔️ The people being communicated with

  Purpose ↔️ The goal of the communication

  Setting ↔️ The environment of communication

  Relationship ↔️ The nature of the communicators' bond
• What evidence can be used to counter prescriptivism in language?

  Evidence of natural evolution
• Steps for structuring an essay on language issues

  1️⃣ Introduction

  2️⃣ Body Paragraph 1

  3️⃣ Body Paragraph 2

  4️⃣ Conclusion