APRIL 5, 2010

2004 MODULE 2 ESSAY

General Notes for Communication Studies

Look at the questions and make a comment that connects all or as many of the questions as possible.
When answering each question specifically the tip is that you want to make a GENERAL statement that’s
acts as the Intro to the paragraph…to frame this Intro you ask yourself what do I know generally about
what the questions is asking for.

Using Module 2 from 2004 from Paper 2

There are many factors that influence a writer’s language choice; some of these are the context, the
audience and the message content. In Alicia Mc Kenzie’s Pinkie this is certainly the case as we see as the
choice of language is Creole in the Basilect variation.
a. The relation between language choice (Creole) and context/setting/situation (the beauty parlour) :
context influence language choice. The context in Communication refers to the place (a hairdressing
salon) and the grouping of people (interpersonal conversation). The term language choice implies that
there are other languages that could have been used but this was specifically chosen. In this excerpt the
language choice was creole in the Basilect and Mesolect variation. Because the context is casual the
language is casual. The persons in the conversation are friends/acquaintances and as such they are
comfortable to speak to each other in their mother tongue. Creole is appropriate as Pinkie and Ms Daisy
obviously are West Indians and as such when the Creole is spoken by either of them it is understood.
Examples are:

b. As with question (a) there are factors such as audience, content and nationality which when taken
into consideration lend to the appropriateness of a narrator’s choice of language. In this case the
narrator uses the Basilect variation as seen in “ I start to tell her bout a whole heap of strikes in England
...”. Who are the people who’d read this? Most likely it will be West Indians. Pinkie was complaining
about her birth country in creole and so one expects the narrator to respond likewise in creole. Also
there is a perception that creole will get the true meaning and feelings across. For example in the
opening sentence Pinkie says “that is why this country will nevah get ahead, nevah get ahead.” A reader
immediately knows that she is angry and in a complaining mode. So it is appropriate because of these
main reasons: they are West Indians friends, the topic lends itself to complaint, and they are in a
casual/informal setting.
c. Is Pinkie’s language linguistically or non-linguistically motivated? How do we identify linguistic
motivation? When we are asked for non linguistic factors you should write about such factors as
• Phonetics – how the speaker articulates their speech sounds e.g. Guyanese roll their ‘r’
And Trinidadians do not
• Phonology - how the speaker systematically uses sounds in language / the sounds of words
• Morphology – how words are structured or formed e.g. dog, yes, swing or un-happi-ness
• Syntax – how the speaker constructs sentences or how words are organized e.g. phrases, clauses,
sentences
• Semantics – how the speaker makes meaning of the words in the sentence e.g In the US most people
refer to death as ‘passed’ whereas in Trinidad we say ‘died’ or in the US they say ‘pop’
for “soda” and in Trinidad we say “soft drink’ or “sweet drink” and sometimes you may even hear “seet
drink”

Non linguistic factors can persons believing:

• that Americans and British speak the same way
• that learning to speak in a foreign language by just listening to the television or being in that country
for a short holiday or from being around foreigners regularly e.g. a Hotel worker, tour guide
• that an accent is all that is needed to learn a language

d. A video presentation of any piece will enhance it especially in the area of clearing up ‘fuzziness’ of
words, phrases and situation. (give examples from the excerpt here)

2009 MODULE 2 PAPER 1

QUESTION 4 b. State two non- linguistic reasons why the students are NOT speaking Std English
N.B It is widely perceived that most speakers use Std Eng in formal situations or when they are speaking
to a stranger ...so in this scenario we are asking ourselves ...” Why did they choose to speak Creole? Why
would one person be comfortable or be proud speak to Creole in any context and another will not do
such? And on the other hand why the others choose the Standard and are just as comfortable or proud
with it?
Possible answers...They were not in a formal setting/ the situation was a casual one
Creole is their first language and they are comfortable with speaking it / they are in an English speaking
country etc.
CAPE 2009 Communication Studies Paper 2 Module 1

CAPE 2009 Communication Studies Paper 2 Module 1 was a tricky passage as it required students to
think harder than usual. I predict this is the new path of Communication Studies, no longer are
students going to just read the extract once and see the language techniques and strategies jumping out
at them but now they will have to read and read again.
Fear not students, as usual a writer always uses strategies and language techniques/devices to achieve
the purpose or to make the main point...always. A writer cannot write without these three things
re.Strategies/techniques, a specific purpose and a main point!Back to 2009 Module 1, many students
were caught looking only for language devices and techniques and when they did not uncover any they
became desperate and wrote the first things that came to their mind. They were right in believing that
there must be some tools in the extract but they were wrong in believing that this tool was only
language techniques. In this case there were mainly strategies hardly any of the former.
Rule No. 1 when there are none or few language or literary devices or techniques look for strategies as
it was in this essay.
Rule No 2. A writer always uses the techniques and strategies to make and emphasise the main point
and secondly a writer always use techniques and strategies to achieve the purpose. Identify the purpose
and main point correctly and more than ever you will be able to identify the techniques and strategies
used to help achieve the purpose.
Your main idea should mention that the only way women can break away from the vicious cycle of
illiteracy, poverty, repeated childbearing is by becoming educated. The important thing here is to realize
that there is a strong correlation between education and illiteracy.
Remember that the main idea and the writer’s purpose are connected; so if the main idea is that
education is the key to breaking the stranglehold of that illiteracy, poverty, lack of a political voice and a
voice on the hold then the purpose of this piece is to make readers aware/ to sensitize them/ to
persuade them of the main idea. So anything that says something like the purpose of this piece is to
sensitize readers to the fact that education is the only means for women to escape/break away from the
clutches of poverty, illiteracy, repeated childbearing/unplanned pregnancy etc.
So CAPE always asks for you to discuss strategies and language techniques and most times the language
techniques are easy to find but in CAPE 2009 you looked and looked and some of you only saw
...repetition of “education” and “illiteracy” and if you looked really hard you would have seen contrast
of the effects of illiteracy and then you saw nothing else...and you were stuck.
Listen in a case like this CAPE is not mad...they won’t ask you for something if it wasn’t there but you
need to be smart...go back to the question. If you look you will see what are always there...strategies
and language techniques...never language techniques alone! So if there are no more language
techniques then you need to identify and discuss strategies...it’s as simple as that!
And so in this particular question students needed to identify and discuss strategies such as the way the
information was laid out. It was done as a list providing the benefits of education; there were
examples of the effects of illiteracy from around the world, statistical information/data, use of non-
emotive/academic language, the use of a reputable institution as UNESCO, and the presentation of
factual information.
Another BIG CLUE can be as it was in this case... if there is a lot of statistical data from a serious
institution such as UNESCO believe this it most likely will not contain such things as hyperbole (if the
organization is as reputable as this one is then the organization will not exaggerate the information!), it
hardly will have emotive word (the language is academic..can you imagine those staid, serious
statisticians writing in emotive words?), hardly likely to have all those easy devices as simile,
personification and metaphor.
Seriously though don’t panic in the first essay, to panic in module one essay is most likely going to set
off a negative reaction in the next two essays. So keep your cool, use your head and think!

CAPE COMMUNICATION STUDIES REFLECTIVE and ANALYTICAL

REFLECTIVE TWO:‘WORDS HAUNT ME’

It was mid-afternoon and Romain was about to meet the parents of his girlfriend. He was very nervous
as he kept hearing the words of his father over and over in his head. “U r no gud...no one wil ever love
u.” But he felt there was some hope as he’s loved by his girlfriend Rae-Ann. However, he fears that this
may not be the case with her parents. They would never approve of a boy living in a small three roomed
house with his mother, who had to take him and flee for their lives from his abusive father…..
“It’s going to be alright hun. Don’t worry, my parents will love you!” says Rae-Ann kissing her boyfriend
of six months on his cheek.
“Ah nervous babe. Yuh fada is ah big man in de business an mi is nun in he books!” utters Romain with a
hint of fear as he wipes his face for the third time.
Taking him by his hand she proceeds to say “Relax” and they both make their way towards the front
door. As Rae-Ann opens the door she calls out to her parents “Mom, Dad, we’re here!” The parents
emerged from the kitchen area and proceeded to the living room where they embraced their daughter.
Returning to her boyfriend’s side holding his arm, Rae-Ann introduces him…
“Mom, Dad, I’d like you to meet Romain”Firstly wiping the palms of his hand on his trousers, Romain
reaches out and greets both parents. “Good evening Mr. and Mrs. Carmino, a pleasure to meet
you!” “Good evening Romain, please have a seat” replies Mr.Carmino after firmly shaking Romain’s
hand.
“Dinner will be ready in ten minutes, hope you’re not too hungry” says Mrs.Carmino smiling while taking
her seat besides her husband.
Without hesitation Mr.Carmino says “So, what are your intentions with my daughter young man?”
Before Romain could answer Rae-Ann pleas in a soft voice with her father“Daddy please” holding on to
her father’s arm.
“It’s alright Rae,” says Romain making and holding eye contact with her father.
“Mr.Carmino my intentions are pure. All I have is respect for your daughter and I will never disrespect her
in any way!”
With a smile on her face, Rae-Ann watches her boyfriend as if he has just passed the test.
“Very good” replies Mr.Carmino. “However, I’ll still have my eyes on you!”
Excusing herself, Mrs.Carmino leaves to check on the dinner. There was a period of silence however;
Mr.Carmino breaks it by directing another personal question to Romain….
“So tell me something about your family background”
“Well sir, I live with my mother” Romain says stuttering.
His voice trails off and enters Mrs.Carmino “Dinner is served.” Romain is relieved as he does not wish to
disclose any family history for particular reasons.
When they were all seated at the table Mrs.Carmino asks Romain to bless the food. His eyes widens as
he hears the question, but Rae-Ann intervenes quickly and offers to give grace. Romain made it through
dinner as not much was said around the table. However, the moment Romain dreaded all night has
reached dessert!
Despite his dismay, dessert turned out to be the best part of the evening. Dessert was apple pie
crumble, which Romain thoroughly enjoyed never having tasted it before, followed by a game of
Pictionary, couple verses couple! Feeling a sense of ease, Romain begins to feel the tension draining
away. It was time for him to solve the drawing and within a few seconds he accurately achieves this.
Rae-Ann jumps up and hangs her boyfriend for they are close to winning the game. Romain full of
excitement blurts out…
“Alyuh ent wa nun wit we! We d bess, d bess ha ha!”
A sudden deafening silence filled the air, as Mr. and Mrs. Carmino sat staring in open disapproval at this
new Romain. At his side, he could see his girlfriend shaking her head and he knew this was not good.
“Young man, what did you say? What type of language is that?” Shaking his head, Mr.Carmino nearly
shouting, “That type of language is unacceptable in this household!” says Mr. Carmino with his eyebrows
frowning together. Turning to his daughter he proceeds “This…this…this is the kind of man you’ve
brought into my home! One who can’t even speak proper English!”
Raising his voice Romain says almost sneeringly “Dere is nuting wrong wit d way I speak! U jus tink ur
better dan mi cause u big in d ‘corporate world’!”
“You speak the language of the underdogs” replies Mr.Carmino. With an element of disgust he
continues, “I’m sure your mother is nothing but a measly servant!”
Not wanting to hear anything else, Romain rushes out the door, eyes filled with water. He makes his way
to the nearest park and pulls out a cigarette. This is a habit he’s developed over his childhood years. The
days when his father beat him to a pulp! At that moment he let all his problems go as they slowly
melted into his subconscious.
In spite of that he suddenly jerks as he felt a tap on his shoulder. It was Rae-Ann. “Wah do u
want?” Romain says rising from his seat.
“I came to make sure you’re alright babe. I was worried” proclaims Rae-Ann almost whispering now.
Reaching for his hand Romain pulls away and shouts…
“Get away from me. Go back an b wit ur snotty, uptight lil family. I wish ur fada rots in hell!”
Rae-Ann in turn slaps him in his face and screams “My father was right; you’re just a stupid boy who’s
worth nothing in this world!”
Romain launches blindly at Rae-Ann and proceeds to hit out at her. All the while with tears flowing as he
shrieks “I am goin be wort sumting dad, ur wrong ur wrong! Am goin to be wort sumting!”
Rae-Ann somehow heard herself shout back “I’m NOT your father!”
As if in a trance, Romain stops and watches his girlfriend crying and moaning from the pain that he has
caused. Shocked by his actions he slowly backs away and then runs off. As he arrived at home he quickly
slams the door and slumps to the floor, face in hands. Suddenly he realizes that he had never gotten
over the trauma of his father’s frequent beatings…but what could he do now? Was it too late for him?
For Rae-Ann? He sobbed quietly.

ANALYTICAL

In my short story entitled, ‘Words Haunt Me’ the language registers and variations in the short story as
well as attitudes to language and communicative behaviour of the characters will be discussed.
Throughout the story, an intimate register was used between Romain and Rae-Ann. This is because they
are very comfortable with each other. Additionally, it is the language marked by specialized words and
expressions as seen when Rae-Ann says “It’s going to be alright babe.” However, a more formal tone is
exchanged between Romain and Mr. and Mrs. Carmino. This is level of formality may have been
adopted because Romain was meeting them for the first time. This is apparent as Romain declares
“Good evening Mr. and Mrs. Carmino, a pleasure to meet you!”
Mr. and Mrs. Carmino spoke Standard English using the acrolect variation as seen in this example “So
what are your intentions with my daughter young man.” Their choice of language may have been
because of their ‘upper class status’. However, Romain spoke creole or dialect at intervals throughout
the passage and at some intervals even exclaiming in basilect as he was emotionally aroused. The
comfort at which he spoke basilect leads one to believe that this is his first language of choice and he is
very comfortable with it as evident in the many features of the creole structuring such as the use
of ‘mi’ as a subject adjective and the replacement of the ‘th’ with the‘d’ as seen in the example ‘Dere is
nuting wrong wit de way I speak!’
The attitudes formulated to language vary given a person’s perception. In the extract, Mr. Carmino
despises the creole used by Romain. He considers acrolect/ Standard English superior to creole/dialect.
He indicates this by saying ““You speak the language of the underdogs.” Romain on the other hand,
defends his language as he sees nothing wrong with it. He also, associates Standard English with a higher
class… ‘Corporate world.’
An example of a communicative behaviour which was exhibited throughout the passage is gestures.
Romain wiping his hands showed his nervousness while Mr. Carmino’s stern handshake is interpreted as
a sign of authority. Other communicative behaviours included facial expressions as seen when Mr.
Carmino’s ‘eyebrows frowned together which illustrates his anger and also through vocalics when
Romain raised his voice to show his frustration.
In attempting to analyse my second reflective I have looked at the relationship between a person’s
dialectal variations, choice of register, attitude to language and communicative behaviours, all of which
are important in communication.
COMMUNICATION MODULE 3 ANSWER

SAMPLE FOR MODULE 3 (SPEAKING and WRITING) CAPE COMMUNICATION STUDIES

SCENARIO: A group of farmers from a rural village in your country has invited you to give the Opening
Address at their workshop titled “The Effects of Harmful Chemicals.”

In an essay, discuss how you will develop your presentation looking specifically at:
I)The communication challenges that you most likely will encounter as you address the members of this
rural farming community
II)The language variety, register and vocabulary that you will take into consideration
III)Such factors as your organizational strategies, visual/audio visual aids and any other resources that
you may use in your presentation.

ANSWER

Main challenges can be in the form of some farmers being unwilling to make a paradigm shift as they
prefer to stay doing and using the same old chemicals. Another way this can be said is that among the
farmers have an unwillingness to embrace/adopt change
There is a likelihood that some farmers may harbour mistrust for outsiders coming into their village
Lack of interest /an air of complacency which can lead to boredom with your presentation
The challenge of how do you get the message of the need for change from harmful chemicals that they
have been using for so long to newer and safer/more effective chemicals/ even eco-friendly chemicals
The challenge of not coming across to the farmers as either too educated and complex or on the other
hand making your message too simplistic/ finding the right balance is the key
The register can be moved between casual and formal
The content of your presentation must be relevant and clearly defined
Presentation must not be too long as to bore and confused
Find out before hand if there were other issues dealing with harmful effects of the chemicals
Try to fit in with the audience, pay attention to dress code do not over dress etc ...be as natural as
possible
When speaking make eye contact with the audience
Provide a question answer session so as to give the farmers time to have their say
Ask them to work with you – sensitive to their needs and concerns
Remember that your visual aids are just that aids –do not make them your focus!
Your presentation must have a clear introduction, body and Conclusion