occupation seneca

Question 1

Jargon

Answer 1

Also known as field-special lexis, is the term we give to a piece of language which is unique to the group in which its used and would not make total sense to those not in the group

Question 2

The web of discourse

Answer 2

• john swales proposed the term ‘web of dsicourses’ which is sometimes referred to as being part of a ‘discourse community’
• this essentially states that within a work place, employees are part of a group who share a common purpose and goal and within that web, language use shares similarities and differences

Question 3

Positive views of jargon

Answer 3

• kollataj: argues that some languages uses (like slang) have a stigma in the workplace, but jargon does not
• spolsky: says that jargon helps you to become indoctrinated into the group
• herrgard: argues that in time-constrained situations (e.g. a kitchen), efficiency is key and so jargon works well here
• drew and heritages research suggests that knowing the relevant jargon allows us to make the job run more efficiently
• crystal: believes that jargon leads to efficacy and ultimately optimal communication. He also states that it builds a group identity in which more ‘elite’ members can emerge

Question 4

Negative views of jargon

Answer 4

• Althusser: argues that it disturbs our thoughts if we don’t know/use the jargon
• Spolsky: also says that you can stand out (in a bad way) if you do not know/use jargon
• the plain English campaign: aims to reduce the amount of jargon being used because they believe it detracts from the ‘plain English’

Question 5

Koester

Answer 5

Argues that the workplace is varied and that, within conversations, we can divide interactions into ‘transactional’ and ‘interactional’

Question 6

Norman fairclough

Answer 6

Believes that in conversations at work, there is a trend towards ‘conversationalsisation’ - a process by which interactions in the workplace become less and less formal

Question 7

Drew and heritage

Answer 7

Argues that conversations that take place at work are goal-orientated, the person who starts the conversation is trying to achieve a work-based goal

Question 8

Herbert and straight

Answer 8

Research detailed that in conversations, compliments are paid, but the compliments move down the hierarchy
Hornyak also believes that conversations are initiated by those who have the most power

Question 9

Heritage

Answer 9

Argues that a turn-taking structure comes to play in a transactional conversation
In this structure, the person with the most power asks the most questions

Question 10

Robert’s and sarangi

Answer 10

Argued that our workplace roles are negotiated by conversation and so are not fixed

Question 11

Gavruseva

Answer 11

• built on conservation all research and argued that we have many different ‘discourse indentities’

Question 12

Myers-Scotton

Answer 12

• states that we codeswitch our language to one which will benefit us the most
• this often includes moving up and down the registers (the language used in relation to formality) and the increased politeness markers (ways of ameliorating things, like fronting an imperative with ‘please’)

Question 13

Herring

Answer 13

• believes that both technology and gender can have an influence on our work-based language
• his research detailed that in emails, men used harsher and less euphemisms methods of expression, whereas women used more emotion-based responses seeking a more personal touch

Question 14

Thornborrow

Answer 14

• argues that the workplace is built with asymmetrical power, which means that different people have different amounts of power

Question 15

Drew and heritage: hierarchy and power

Answer 15

• argued that special rules come into play in these hierarchical settings, they say that things work very differently in a workplace than in normal conversation

Question 16

Atkinson

Answer 16

• argues in certain workplaces, they say that asymmetry of power is accentuated e.g. there is a hyper-formal, turn-taking order in parliament

Question 17

Homes and Stubbe

Answer 17

Argue that those in higher-power position can downplay or assert authority to alter their status

Question 18

Blank

Answer 18

Argues that we change our language in an attempt to fit in with the social situation and to exert influence

Question 19

Hierarchy and power - french and raven

Answer 19

• proposed a model of five ‘bases of power’ used in the workplace:
  Coercive (a power with the ability to force or coerce someone into doing something)
  Reward ( a power with the ability to offer some form of reward in exchange for compliance)
  Referent ( a power based on rapport with people)
  Legitimate ( a genuine power that someone has)
  Expert ( a power formed from superior knowledge)