Language Diversity - Occupation

Question 1

What did John Swales propose about Occupational language?

Answer 1

John Swales proposed the term ‘the web of discourse’, which is sometimes referred to as being part of a ‘discourse community’.

Question 2

What is a discourse community?

Answer 2

Members of a discourse community possess required knowledge and skills needed for the specific profession and they also uses specialist lexis or discourse (spoken/written communication).

Question 3

Give an example of subject specific lexis in a workplace

Answer 3

in Superdrug the concrete noun ‘gun’ is used, semantically broadened from an actual gun due to appearance, but is actually more akin to a handheld computer.

Question 4

How does subject specific lexis in a workplace help?

Answer 4

The use of the subject specific lexis creates a more efficient way of explaining something, supporting the job and aiding communication between coworkers.

Question 5

What have Drew and Herritage said about occupational language?

Answer 5

the power of hierarchies affect the type of language used in different occupational settings, meaning that specific language can be used to enforce power structures

Question 6

What is Drew and Herritage’s proposal similar to?

Answer 6

This idea is similar to Swales as Drew and Herritage suggest that we use ‘institutional talk’. This idea is like Swales discourse communities but the concept of power hierarchies is added.

Question 7

According to Drew and Herritage, what factor creates a change in the use of occupational language?

Answer 7

They considered the idea that language is used differently depending on the status of someone in an occupational setting.

Question 8

Give an example of status impacting occupational language

Answer 8

A manager has more authority in a work setting so it is appropriate for them to use imperatives.

In Superdrug, the manager often uses imperatives like ‘serve, go, come, etc.’

Question 9

What does Almut Koester say?

Answer 9

the importance of phatic talk , in getting jobs done. Workers need to establish interpersonal relationships and have interactions that are not just about work related procedures.

Question 10

What actually is phatic talk?

Answer 10

Phatic talk is communication used purely for social interaction, like small talk. Koester found that phatic talk is key for maintaining social relationships at work and for getting jobs done.

Question 11

What does phatic talk achieve in a workplace?

Answer 11

it creates solidarity between workmates which is an important dimension in workplace communication

Question 12

Give an example of phatic talk being used in a work environment

Answer 12

Asking how someones weekend was, or asking if they are feeling better (if they were unwell)

Question 13

What did Holmes say about small talk in a workplace?

Answer 13

Based on her findings in her New Zealand study, Holmes also looks at the idea that small talk enables workmates to ‘do collegiality’. By using small talk, the colleagues are indicating that they feel positively towards the other.

Question 14

What are the effects of small talk in a workplace?

Answer 14

Small talk can also serve a valuable bridging function and warms people up socially.

Question 15

What did Holmes also notice about the use of small talk by those of a higher status in the workplace?

Answer 15

it is generally the boss who either allows small talk or cuts it short. Those in positions of power may use small talk to ease the transition to work related topics. Small talk is also used to reduce the social distance between superiors and their subordinates.

Question 16

What have prescriptivists said about workplace language in an occupational setting?

Answer 16

the Plain English Campaign, suggest that workplace language not only sounds idiotic but is also divisive

Chrissie Mahler, founder of the Plain English Campaign, has called the use of office jargon ‘downright dangerous’ as she believes that it acts as a barrier to buisnesses.

Question 17

Give an example of workplace jargon, that prescriptivists particularly don’t like

Answer 17

the office jargon, “Game changer”. Which translates to: A product, idea or process that represents a significant shift in thinking or way of doing things. This was listed in the telegraph as one of the top ten hated phrases in workplaces.

Question 18

What are the negative effects of workplace jargon?

Answer 18

it isolates newcomers who feel that they have to learn the language they are using in their own time which can cause stress instead of creating a comfortable environment.

Question 19

What did Davidson’s research about medical related language in the workplace say?

Answer 19

medical related language has adapted over the years and that medical professions actually switch codes whilst they are working.

Question 20

Give an example about how medical related language has changed from the 18th century

Answer 20

In the 18th century medical language was used very differently to how it is used now. For example the medicine names Dr James’s powders and Spilbury’s drops would have been familiar to people in that time yet it makes no sense to us modern language users.

Another example is through the term King’s evil which was used to describe a tubercular infection of the throat and lymph glands, so called because of the belief that it could be cured by the touch of the monarch’s hand.

Question 21

Give an example of modern day medical related language

Answer 21

Nowadays, more specific language is being used for illnesses and modern day medicines. These terms are so familiar that they can be abbreviated (ECG, bp); and precision is the norm (pulse 70…100/50).