AQA_2024: A-level English Language - Paper 2 Language Diversity and Change. (Merged Question Paper and Marking Scheme)

AQA_2024: A-level English Language - Paper 2 Language Diversity and Change. (Merged Question Paper and Marking Scheme) A-level ENGLISH LANGUAGE Paper 2 Language diversity and change Friday 7 June 2024 Materials For this paper you must have:  an AQA 12-page answer book  the Insert for Section B (enclosed). Instructions Morning Time allowed: 2 hours 30 minutes  Use black ink or black ball-point pen.  Write the information required on the front of your answer book. The Paper Reference is 7702/2.  There are two sections: – Section A: Diversity and change – Section B: Language discourses.  Answer either Question 1 or Question 2 from Section A.  Answer both Question 3 and Question 4 from Section B.  Do all rough work in your answer book. Cross through any work you do not want to be marked. Information  The maximum mark for this paper is 100.  The marks for questions are shown in brackets.  There are 30 marks for either Question 1 or Question 2. There are 40 marks for Question 3 and 30 marks for Question 4.  You will be marked on your ability to: – use good English – organise information clearly – use specialist vocabulary where appropriate. Advice  It is recommended that you use: – 45 minutes writing your Section A answer – 15 minutes preparing the material for Section B – 45 minutes writing your answer to Question 3 – 45 minutes writing your answer to Question 4. For A-level English Language Paper 2: Language Diversity and Change, here's a concise revision guide focusing on the key areas: 1. Language Diversity:  Social Variation: How language differs based on social factors such as age, gender, class, ethnicity, and occupation. o Gender and Language: Men and women often use language differently (e.g., women may use more tag questions or hedging). Theories like Lakoff (women's language) and Tannen (genderlect) are key. o Social Class: Speech differs across class lines; middle-class individuals tend to use more standard forms, while working-class individuals may use more colloquial dialects. o Ethnolects and Sociolects: Variants of language associated with specific ethnic or social groups (e.g., AAVE - African American Vernacular English).  Regional Variation: The language used by different geographical areas, including accents, dialects, and vocabulary. o Dialect: Variations in grammar and vocabulary (e.g., "y’all" in the Southern U.S.). o Accent: Differences in pronunciation (e.g., RP vs. regional accents).  Age and Language: How language changes between generations, with younger speakers tending to use more slang or non-standard forms.  Language and Technology: How language evolves with the rise of social media and digital communication (e.g., abbreviations, emojis, hashtags).  Code-Switching: The practice of switching between languages or dialects depending on the context. 2. Language Change:  Historical Changes: How English has evolved from Old English to Middle English to Modern English. Key milestones include the Great Vowel Shift and the influence of other languages (e.g., French and Latin).  Theories of Language Change: o Random Fluctuation Theory: Suggests language change occurs due to random variations. o Functional Theory: Language changes to meet the needs of its users. o Social Theory: Language evolves due to social changes and interactions, with new generations adopting and adapting forms. o Prescriptivism vs. Descriptivism: Prescriptivists argue for “correct” language use, while descriptivists believe language should reflect how people use it.  Internal and External Causes of Language Change: o Internal: Changes in pronunciation, spelling, grammar, and vocabulary (e.g., phonological shifts). o External: Influence from other languages, social, political, and technological factors (e.g., loanwords from French, the rise of texting language). 3. Attitudes to Language Diversity:  Language Prestige: Some varieties of language are viewed as more prestigious (e.g., Received Pronunciation) than others (e.g., Cockney).  Language Standardization: The process of codifying certain forms of language as the “standard,” often leading to stigmatization of non-standard varieties. 4. Theories of Language Change:  Labov's Theory of Social Stratification: Labov’s study of the pronunciation of the "r" sound in New York shows how language use varies by class and the social prestige of forms.  Halliday's Functional Theory: Language changes to fulfill communicative needs in society.  Cultural Transmission Theory: New generations of speakers adopt language forms, often from peers or the media, which leads to language change over time. 7702/2 IB/G/Jun24/G4005/E3 2 Section A Diversity and change Answer one question from this section. Either 0 1 Evaluate the idea that a person’s language use is determined by their identity. [30 marks] or 0 2 Evaluate the idea that language needs to be reformed to remove prejudice and bias. [30 marks] IB/G/Jun24/7702/2 3 Section B Language discourses Answer both Question 3 and Question 4. Text A and Text B are on the Insert. Text A is an article about teaching standard English. It was published by The Guardian in 2021. Text B is an article about the need for standard English in university assessments. It was published by MailOnline in 2021. 0 3 Analyse how language is used in Text A and Text B to present views about the importance of standard English. In your answer you should:  examine any similarities and differences you find between the two texts  explore how effectively the texts present their views. [40 marks] 0 4 Write an opinion article on views about the importance of standard English. In your article you should:  assess the ideas and issues raised in Text A and Text B  refer to ideas from language study  argue your own views. [30 marks] END OF QUESTIONS IB/G/Jun24/7702/2 4 There are no questions printed o