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ENG1502 OCT/NOV EXAM ANSWERS 2023
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- University Of South Africa (Unisa)
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ENG1502 EXAM ANSWERSSECTION A: Language and Varieties QUESTION 1
1.1 In your own words, explain the following two terms: “Phonetics” and “Phonology”. In what
way are the two terms different? (2 marks)
• Phonetics: Phonetics is the study of the physical properties of speech sounds,
including their articulation (how sounds are produced by the vocal tract),
acoustic properties (how they are transmitted as sound waves), and auditory
perception (how they are heard and processed by the human ear and brain).
Phonetics is concerned with the concrete, physical aspects of speech sounds
and their classification based on these properties.
• Phonology: Phonology is the study of the abstract, mental representations and
rules governing the sounds in a particular language or languages. It deals with
the way sounds function in a given language, how they are organized into
phonemes (distinctive units of sound), and how they interact with one another to
create meaning. Phonology is concerned with the abstract, cognitive aspects of
speech sounds within a linguistic system.
Difference between the two terms:
The main difference between phonetics and phonology is that phonetics deals with the
physical properties and articulation of speech sounds, while phonology deals with the
abstract mental representations and rules governing the sounds within a language
system.
1.2 Which ONE of the two terms mentioned in a) helps with understanding dialects of the same
language? Support your answer using one appropriate example. (4 marks).
• For example, in American English, there is a phenomenon known as "flapping," where
the /t/ and /d/ sounds are pronounced as a flap [ɾ] between vowels and when they occur
at the beginning or middle of words. So, "water" is often pronounced as "wader," and
"better" is pronounced as "bedder." This change in pronunciation is a phonological rule
specific to certain dialects of American English. By studying phonology, linguists can
understand why and how this rule operates, helping them analyze and differentiate
dialects within the same language based on their unique phonological features
1.3 The ordering of the words in the following structure is grammatically unacceptable.
succeed her circumstances always in to despite the have I ability believed
Based on your knowledge of the different language components, arrange the words into
a grammatically correct form. Explain how your knowledge of the relevant language
component(s) assisted you in correcting the structure.
(4 marks)
, 2 ENG1502
OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2023
Corrected Sentence:
"I always believed in her ability to succeed despite her circumstances."
Explanation:
The original sentence "succeed her circumstances always in to despite the have I ability
believed" is grammatically unacceptable due to its incorrect word order and lack of proper
structure. To correct it, we reorganized the words into a grammatically correct form:
"I" (subject)
"always" (adverb indicating frequency)
"believed" (main verb)
"in" (preposition)
"her" (possessive pronoun)
"ability" (noun)
"to" (infinitive marker)
"succeed" (infinitive verb)
"despite" (preposition)
"her" (possessive pronoun)
"circumstances" (noun)
The corrected sentence follows the typical word order for English sentences, with the subject
"I" at the beginning, followed by the adverb, verb, and the rest of the sentence elements in
their proper positions. Knowledge of English grammar and syntax helped in reordering the
words to create a grammatically correct structure.
[10 marks]
QUESTION 2
2.1 In unit 2 several terms and concepts are used to explain different varieties in the English
language. In your own words, explain the following terms: South African Standard English,
jargon and slang.
(6 marks)
Explanation of Terms:
TURN OVER
, 3 ENG1502
OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2023
South African Standard English:
• South African Standard English (often abbreviated as SAE) is a variety of the English
language spoken and written in South Africa. It represents a standardized form of
English used in formal and official contexts, such as education, government, and
media. It follows the grammatical and lexical norms of international standard English
but may incorporate some elements of South African culture and language. SAE is
characterized by its neutral and clear pronunciation, adhering to standard English
phonology and grammar.
• Example: In South African Standard English, you might hear someone say, "I attended
university in Cape Town," where the language is formal and adheres to international
English standards.
Jargon:
• Jargon refers to specialized vocabulary or terminology used within a particular
profession, field, or community. It consists of words and phrases that are not widely
understood by people outside of that specific group. Jargon is often used to facilitate
communication among experts or enthusiasts within a particular domain, as it allows
for precise and efficient communication.
• Example: In the field of computer science, "RAM" (Random Access Memory) and
"CPU" (Central Processing Unit) are examples of jargon. These terms are commonly
understood by computer professionals but may be less familiar to those not versed in
the field.
Slang:
• Slang refers to informal and non-standard language or expressions that are commonly
used in casual or colloquial speech. Slang terms are often specific to certain social
groups, age groups, or subcultures. They can evolve rapidly and may not be widely
accepted in formal contexts. Slang often adds a sense of informality and can convey a
sense of camaraderie among speakers who share the same slang vocabulary.
• Example: "Cool" is a common slang term used to express approval or admiration. For
instance, someone might say, "That new movie is really cool!" Slang words like "lit" or
"woke" are also prevalent in contemporary English, especially in informal
conversations and on social media.
In summary, South African Standard English is a formal variety of English used in South
Africa, jargon is specialized vocabulary within a particular field, and slang consists of informal
and often trendy expressions used in everyday conversation.
TURN OVER
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