Course Outline: Language & Community (COM 102)

Institution: TA Marryshow Community College
Department: Arts, Humanities & General Studies
Credit Hours: 45 hours

General Objectives

At the end of this module, students should:

  1. Use appropriate and correct structures of Caribbean Standard English.
  2. Understand the characteristics of different linguistic genres in the Caribbean.
  3. Analyze the role of language in society and especially in the Caribbean.
  4. Understand and discuss the link between Information and Communication Technologies and language and society.
  5. Appreciate the role of communication technologies in cultural interaction.

Specific Objectives

Students should be able to:

  • Use appropriate structures of Caribbean Standard English in speaking and writing by paying close attention to mechanics and other conventions of grammar.
  • Discuss the concept of language.
  • Identify and discuss the salient features of at least one Creole-influenced vernacular in the Caribbean, that makes it different from Caribbean Standard English.
  • Explain the challenges the Creole speaker faces when attempting to learn Caribbean Standard English.
  • Evaluate the roles (socio-political, ethical, psychological) language plays in shaping Caribbean identity and society.
  • Describe their territory or any other territory according to language varieties, impact of history on varieties, attitudes to language and its impact on communication, i.e., integration, marginalization, etc.
  • Analyze the use of language registers, dialectal variation, and other linguistic aspects according to types of interactive settings.
  • Analyze the impact of technology on communication in different cultural settings and interactive contexts.

Content

  1. Oral and written expression.
  2. Defining the characteristics and the purpose of language.
  3. Language variation, dialects, pidgins and creoles, language register.
  4. Cross-linguistic study of a Creole and Caribbean Standard English.
  5. Language in society (social, cultural and political influence and roles; attitudes; language in international situations and interactive settings).
  6. Technology, culture, and communication.

Methods of Instruction

  • Lectures
  • Reading and discussion
  • Oral presentations and discussions
  • Audio-visual presentations and discussions
  • Cooperative learning

Assessment

In each module, students are required to do class assignments, take-home assignments, and tests. These assignments are graded as course work and constitute forty percent of the students’ overall grade. A final exam is given at the end of each module and constitutes sixty percent of the students’ overall grade.

Materials

Text Book

  • Simon, V. and Osborne, S. Cape Communication Studies, Oxford: Macmillan, 2009 (students’ book).

Supplementary Materials

  • McDermott, H. CAPE Communication Studies: Trinidad and Tobago, Caribbean Educational Publishers, 2008.
  • Simmons-MacDonald, Writing in English: A Course Book for Caribbean Students, Kingston, Ian Randle, 1997.
  • Videotaped films such as: My Fair Lady, Oliver at Large.
  • Websites, relevant handouts, and excerpts on various topics.

Weekly Schedule

Week One: Definition of Language and Characteristics

  • Topics:

    • Definition of language.
    • Characteristics of language.
    • Definition of Creole.

  • Content:

    1. Language is the use of words to communicate in an agreed way.
    2. Language is a system of communication between humans through written and vocal symbols.

  • Characteristics of language include:

    • Phonology (sound).
    • Semantics (specific words and phrases).
    • Syntax (grammar).

  • Creole: A full language developed from a pidgin, containing elements of two or more source languages.

  • Activity:

    • Discuss expectations of the course, course outline, and assignment.
    • Engage students in discussion about language. Is Creole a language?
    • Identify at least six characteristics of language.
    • Engage students in discussion about the characteristics of language. Are these characteristics found in Creole?
Week Two: Attitude to Language and Dialect

  • Topics:

    • Attitudes to language.
    • Dialect.

  • Definition:

    • Attitudes to language refer to the manner in which people view and use the varieties of languages spoken in the Caribbean, mainly English and Creole. These attitudes may be positive or negative.
    • Dialect: A variety or form of language - examples include Grenadian Creole, Jamaican Creole, American English, Scottish English.

  • Activity:

    • Read and discuss different articles written in both English and Creole.
    • Discuss the difference in attitudes toward both languages.
Week Three: Significant Terms

  • Topics:

    • Official language, vernacular, acrolect, mesolect, basilect, jargon, slang.
    • Monolingual societies, bilingual societies, multilingual societies.

  • Definitions:

    • Official Language: The language used for official purposes in court and school. For example, English is the official language of Grenada and most Caribbean islands.
    • Most Caribbean countries consider Creole to be the first language (mother tongue) of most inhabitants, yet it is not the official language.

  • Activity:

    • Identify the monolingual, bilingual, and multilingual societies in the Caribbean.
    • Identify their official and other languages.
    • Test: short answer speech practice.
Week Four: Linguistic Influences on Caribbean English-based Creole

  • Topics:

    • Linguistic influences on Caribbean English-based Creole.
    • Revision of communicative behavior, language register.

  • Content:

    • Creole originated from the influence of several different cultures and incorporates elements from various languages, including English, French, and African languages.

  • Activity:

    • Research the history of English-based Creole.
    • Find the origin of at least ten Creole words.
    • Essay practice.
Week Five: Grammatical Characteristics of Creole

  • Topics:

    • Grammatical characteristics of Creole.

  • Examples of grammatical characteristics include:

    • Verbs do not change to indicate tense, person, and aspect. Example: ‘She talk so much yesterday, she forget the pot on the fire.’
    • Pluralization is not indicated by the use of ‘s’ or ‘es’. Example: ‘Ah get five mango.’
    • Possession is not shown with the use of ‘s’. Example: ‘Is Mary pen ah borrow.’
    • Creole uses double negatives. Example: ‘Ah doh want to hear nothing.’

  • Activity:

    • Identify other grammatical characteristics of Creole.
    • Write creative pieces incorporating language registers, communicative behavior, dialectal variation, and attitude to language.
Week Six: Reasons Writers Use Creole

  • Topics:

    • Reasons why writers use Creole.

  • Points to Note:

    • Creole serves as an identity marker, establishing Caribbean links for writers.
    • Writing in Creole appeals to Caribbean audiences.
    • Using Creole in writing helps elevate its status and prestige.
    • Writers demonstrate pride in the Creole language, contributing to its elevated status.

  • Activity:

    • Essay writing and analysis of work for peer critique.
Week Seven: The Impact of Technology on Language

  • Topics:

    • Technology's impact on language.

  • Content:

    • The influx of new words into language, such as software, homepage, search engine.
    • New meanings ascribed to existing words like windows, drive, mouse.
    • Accepted abbreviations such as MP3, iPod, HTML.
    • The adoption of abbreviations in chat language.

  • Activity:

    • Compile a lexicon of words used on social media.
    • Test.
Week Eight: Improving Communication through Technology

  • Topics:

    • How technology can improve communication.

  • Content:

    • Use of presentation software, graphics, clip art, pictures, video, and audio.
    • Video and teleconferencing.
    • Web portals.

  • Activity:

    • Group presentations using presentation software.
    • Essay writing.
Week Nine: Technological Strategies for Social and Cultural Activities

  • Topics:

    • Technology for communicating in the public sphere.

  • Content:

    • Tools include blogging/discussion boards, email/chat rooms, instant messaging, social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter), video-sharing (YouTube), and various digital communication technologies.

  • Activity:

    • Test revision.