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Mandarin Chinese Language, 1993.
A look at the background, sounds, dialects, social/cultural aspects, regions of use, polite form and structure.
2,250 words (approx. 9.0 pages), 7 sources, £ 46.95
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From the Paper
"Mandarin Chinese Language
I. Historical background
Chinese is usually regarded as one of the oldest languages in the world. The Chinese literary idiom, which is widely used for all purposes though in modern pronunciation, is largely based on the language of the ancient classics. Another reason for Chinese language reputation for antiquity is the relative social and cultural homogeneity and stability in China during more millenniums that has been the case with most other peoples of the world. There was no large-scale borrowing of words such as followed the Norman invasion of Britain (Chao, 1967, p. 3).
The Chinese language seems old because, instead of spreading by subdivision into various national languages, which would then seem new, as do the Romance languages descended from Latin, it..."
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Second Language Acquisition: Noam Chomsky, 1993.
Discusses Chomsky's theory of language acquisition, in which there exists some sort of "language organ" that makes language possible for humans & impossible for animals.
675 words (approx. 2.7 pages), 9 sources, £ 13.95
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From the Paper
"Nativist Theories of Second Language Acquisition: Noam Chomsky
Introduction
According to Larsen-Freeman and Long (1991), nativist theories posit the existence of a specific, innate biological capacity or organ that makes learning possible. Some of those nativist theories are specific to language acquisition, with Noam Chomsky perhaps the earliest and foremost exponent of the theory that language acquisition follows a universal pattern based on an innate language organ, or system of hard-wiring within the brain.
Noam Chomsky and Universal Grammar
Chomsky became most visible in his struggles with the researchers who were working with chimpanzees and gorillas to ..."
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English, 1992.
A look at the internal and external changes in the history of the language from the Indo-European period to the 20th century.
1,800 words (approx. 7.2 pages), 7 sources, £ 37.95
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From the Paper
"The purpose of this research is to examine internal and external changes in the history of the English language from the Indo-European period to the modern period. The plan of the research will be to set forth the context in which language as such appeared, and then to elaborate, with reference to geographic, schematic, and vocabularic elements of discussion, the emergence of principal and subsidiary shifts in English expression that illustrate a pattern of development and maturation.
To discuss the evolution of the English language is in many ways to discuss the evolution of English-speaking civilization as expressed by and through the language. Advanced in the early years of the twentieth century, Wells's view is that language as an abstraction in semiotical form of human experience dates back..."
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American Sign Language, 1989.
Compares components & acquisition of ASL & verbal English. Discusses grammar, ideas, timetables, symbols, naming, vocabulary and holophrasic words.
2,025 words (approx. 8.1 pages), 3 sources, £ 41.95
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From the Paper
"The acquisition of language in a child is a wondrous and complex act, not fully understood by professionals in the field of linguistics. To understand how humans acquire language would be to understand the very inner nature of man, what separates him or her from other animals, the physical and social evolutionary process among humans, and the precise structure of the thought processes that are learned and inherent, similar and unique, in every human being."
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The Concept Of Race, 1973.
This paper discusses the history of the word "race" according to anthropologists & linguists.
1,575 words (approx. 6.3 pages), 5 sources, £ 32.95
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"The history of the word "race" had much of an effect on the concept of race, according to anthropologists and linguists. This is true although as much confusion has existed about the concept as the actual knowledge about it. For example, one reputable atlas still in circulation has Finland colored yellow for Mongoloid simply because the Finns share a linguistic stock with Asiatic people who are either partly or wholly Mongoloid; the Finns are definitely not Mongoloid themselves. Even Sir Winston Churchill once called the British a race and too often the Jews have also been called a race when they are actually are a religion. However, linguistic affinity, common residence on an island and the possession of a common religion tend to facilitate the flow of genetic material between groups of people but not necessarily to a race-forming degree. Thus, Finns, Britons, and ... "
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Non-Verbal Language Acquisition, 2002.
This paper discusses non-verbal language acquisition by examining various articles on the topic.
3,220 words (approx. 12.9 pages), 10 sources, MLA, £ 54.95
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Abstract
This paper is composed of annotated bibliographies and a literature review of ten different research articles dealing with the acquisition of nonverbal, gestural, or sign languages. It addresses non-verbal language as a first language and a second language, as well as non-verbal language and symbolic communication systems in non-human primates and prehuman ancestors.
From the Paper
"Sharon Begley's main point in this article is that "the human brain is wired for gestural communication" just as it is for spoken language, from a nativist perspective. She draws on examples from apes who have learned signed languages, deaf-mute children who have invented their own languages in the absence of an established sign language, and the fact that blind people gesture at the same rate as sighted people. She cites studies of wild bonobos who use symbolic gesture to communicate with each other, and deaf children who created a signed language with more complex grammatical structures than the spoken language in their environment."
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It Ain?t Standard So it Ain?t No Good, 2002.
A study of the deconstruction of standard English, and a debate on whether or not such a standard is effective.
1,000 words (approx. 4.0 pages), 4 sources, MLA, £ 20.95
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Abstract
This paper debates the existence of a standard grammatically correct English language. It describes that English, like all languages, is continually and constantly changing. The author argues that language is constantly changing, because it is as alive and organic as the people speaking it. The paper does establish that written English has a more established set of rules that is taught in academic institutions than the spoken language.
From the Paper
"A debate rages across the worlds of lexicographers, authors, professors and creators of dictionaries alike: what is ?standard English?? The question is, of course, oversimplified. The standardization of any language involves ??a uniformity of orthographic, typographic, grammatical and lexical practices,? and so one might research the subject of language standardization for years to no conclusion specific or accepted enough to answer the posed question (Davis 69). Some have attempted ambiguous conclusions, including linguist Peter Trudgill who said, ?Standard English is that variety of English which is usually used in print, and which is normally taught in schools and to non-native speakers learning the language."
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Linguistics and the History of the English Language, 2002.
This paper explores the areas of linguistics and the history of the English language in terms of what an English teacher should know before teaching the subject.
4,392 words (approx. 17.6 pages), 7 sources, APA, £ 67.95
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Abstract
This paper asks if future English teachers should study the history of English. The writer shows that teachers should have a knowledge of linguistics. Main points of the paper include: why English is complicated, why languages (especially English) change, grammar rules and problems, spelling history and problems, how dialects are developed and how they influence English in the classroom, semantic changes and more. The paper concludes that all these contribute to a better and more interesting English classroom.
From the Paper
"The English language has a rich history, spanning centuries and passed on by different tribes. A lot of other languages, especially French, has had some influence on the English language. The language has undergone many changes in its history, including the Great Vowel Shift, which changed the way English was spoken. Some people who know more than one language have said that English is the hardest language to learn. As of today, many educated professors and acclaimed administration members probably don?t know the real reasons behind some grammar rules and depend on technology to correct their fragment sentences. What makes English such a hard language to learn and use, even for its native speakers? Will the knowledge of the history behind the English language enable teachers to help students master English? I believe that knowledge leads to understanding; therefore teachers with a strong background in the history of English will be better equipped to teach this difficult subject."
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The Use of 'Wander' in "Paradise Lost", 2002.
Tracing the use of language through Milton's "Paradise Lost", the paper examines the meaning of the first lines of the poem.
2,138 words (approx. 8.6 pages), 2 sources, MLA, £ 38.95
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Abstract
In this paper, the author looks at the language in Milton's "Paradise Lost". Milton was blind as he composed the text, therefore had a limited (even for him) vocabulary to work with. The paper shows how certain words are found throughout the text which help illuminate the themes. Milton theme of "Man's First Disobedience..." is specifically examined in this essay, using the word 'wander' and its different tenses.
From the Paper
"In the Epic Poem Paradise Lost, John Milton writes his way from the fall of Satan, through Man?s own fall, while also providing a glimpse of history to contemporary times. The text begins with the lines: ?Of man?s first disobedience, and the fruit/ Of that forbidden tree.? (1. 1-2) Milton uses the rest of the text to elucidate these lines, and an examination of specific words aids us in understanding his meaning. Milton?s uses of wander (also wandered and wandering) in specific contexts help him construct the various meanings and themes of the poem. According to John Bradshaw?s Concordance, wander and its various forms are used thirty-three times. Each time the word appears it is involved with the themes of man?s disobedience and the resulting ?fruit?, and through analyzing select passages this essay examines Paradise Lost as a whole. Through the use of wander, we find man?s disobedience defined as going astray from God, and that the ?fruit? of this disobedience and resulting fall is journeys of conquest (physical and intellectual), sin and corruption in Man?s history, and also a positive ?fruit? in Man?s possibility of redemption."
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Psycholinguistics, 2002.
This paper studies the psychological aspects of language acquisition.
1,510 words (approx. 6.0 pages), 7 sources, MLA, £ 28.95
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Abstract
The paper explores the mental aspects of language acquisition, storage, production and comprehension. It begins with a definition of ?psycholinguistics? and a clarification of terms. The paper then outlines the history of this field of study, looking at some of the personalities that influenced its development. Chomsky?s language acquisition theory is explained, other divergent theories are mentioned, and commonalities between the theories are discussed. The paper lists and explains the four main aspects of language acquisition and discusses the ?critical period? in childhood for learning a language. The paper concludes by discussing the psycholinguistics? relationship to reading and to writing.
From the Paper
"Psycholinguistics gives a comprehensive and viable understanding of human language development. The most famous psycholinguist theorist, Noam Chomsky, has argued convincingly that human children develop language abilities according to a predetermined universal deep structure or grammar. The psycholinguistic approach provides invaluable tools for teaching children to read, write, and speak."
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"Invisible Man", 2002.
A discussion of the meaning of the term ?Bledsoing? in Ralph Ellison's "Invisible Man".
788 words (approx. 3.2 pages), 1 source, MLA, £ 16.95
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Abstract
This paper reviews the character of Dr. Bledsoe in the novel "Invisible Man" by Ralph Ellison. The paper focuses on the term 'Bledsoing' which is coined by the narrator of the story, based on Dr. Beldsoe's beliefs and actions. The paper describes the character, Dr. Bledsoe, in order to illustrate the meaning of the term 'bledsoing'. The paper illustrates how the term is used in a negative fashion to convey the narrator's feelings.
From the Paper
"The narrator of "Invisible Man" by Ralph Ellison uses the term ?Bledsoing? to refer to a set of beliefs and actions. The term comes from Dr. Bledsoe, a character in the novel who believes that the black person should act in a way that suits the white man and achieves what appears to be a successful life by doing this. At the same time though, Dr. Bledsoe suppresses his individuality and rejects other black people. The narrator refers to this set of beliefs and actions as ?Bledsoing.? In using this term, the narrator is rejecting Dr. Bledsoe as a model of true success and beginning the process of finding his own way in life and especially, finding his individuality."
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French Speakers Learning English, 2000.
The difficulties encountered: syntax, phonology, grammar, articulation and fluency.
1,350 words (approx. 5.4 pages), 4 sources, £ 27.95
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From the Paper
"This paper examines some of the most significant difficulties that French speakers encounter when they begin to learn English. While concentrating on syntactical and phonological problems, the study also explores some of the grammatical and articulative difficulties faced by French speakers as they begin their road to fluency in English. However, before proceeding to the particulars of learning English as a second language for Francophones, a few general notes are in order.
When a speaker of one language begins to learn to speak another language she or he encounters certain predictable problems. This is true regardless of the two languages at least in this one general respect: The aspects of the second language that are most different from the maternal language will be the most..."
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Second Language Learning, 2000.
An examination of the components and approaches of effective teaching and learning a language, focusing on learner error and types of correction. Includes grammar translation, reading, audiolingualism and more.
2,925 words (approx. 11.7 pages), 13 sources, £ 60.95
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From the Paper
"The treatment and reduction of learner error has long been considered to be the primary task of the language teacher. This was seen to be readily accomplished by the judicious provision of a form of negative feedback (error correction) and the systematic reinforcement of appropriate learner responses and other teacher-desired elements of learners? production. However, both classroom teachers and researchers alike have realized that what was once thought to be a rather simple and natural aspect of the learning process is indeed a complex affair that has, over the last several decades, undergone marked changes due not only to the evolvement of various methodologies and approaches used by teachers in providing language instruction, but also to the way these methodologies and approaches perceive the notion of error and its place in second language instruction. The purpose of this paper..."
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Euphemisms, 1999.
Examines the uses and sociocultural purposes of euphemisms for urination, body parts, racial/ethnic groups, sex, physical and mental disabilities.
2,475 words (approx. 9.9 pages), 3 sources, £ 51.95
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Abstract
Most people are taught to tell the truth when they are growing up with aphorisms like "Speak the truth and shame the devil" and fables like the little boy who cried wolf
From the Paper
"Most people are taught to tell the truth when they are growing up with aphorisms like "Speak the truth and shame the devil" and fables like the little boy who cried wolf. We are given continual reminders of the unpleasant things that lie in store for those people who diverge from this straight-and-narrow path of truth.
And yet at the same time, we are given several sets of contradictory instructions in our formative years, including the prescription that we should not hurt other people's feelings if that be possible and that we should not swear or use dirty words. It is often in an attempt to reconcile these differing sets of instructions that people employ euphemisms.
The etymology of the word euphemism is a relatively straightforward one, coming to the modern English speaker from ..."
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