English used exclusively in Internet by people with Different Socio-Economic Background
Our group chose two blog extracts to analyse. The word blog is the shortened form of a web log, i.e. a personal online journal of its writer.
Both our sample texts illustrate English as it is used exclusively by people of different socio-economic backgrounds in a web-based environment. There is a notable language variation in both the texts, i.e. characteristics of the language user and features of the situation in which the language is used and what it is being used for.
The first blog extract (Blog A) is by Singapore’s Health Minister, Mr. Khaw Boon Wan, 56, posted on 18 September 2009 and the second one (Blog B) is by a local female student, Hui Ling, 11, posted on 28 May 2009.
In Blog A, the demographics of the blogger are revealed with the phrase “at age 56”. His social status and profession is noted with “I announced our contract” indicating his Ministerial authority and power and “it is tough to be a health minister!” which also corroborate he is Singaporean.
In Blog B, the age and the occupation of the blogger is revealed in ‘I still want 2 go 2 Secondary…Work.’ This indicates she is a Primary school student. It can also be inferred that the blogger is a Singaporean as she stated the number of H1N1 cases in Singapore before she wrote, ‘I dun wan 2 b the next victim.’
Blog B’s informal setting is reflected with the use of Netspeak features primarily because the blogger’s target audience are her friends.
Netspeak originated from Short Message Services (SMS) to allow users to have voiceless communication. Its initial usage to overcome the problem of word limit subsequently led to its worldwide appeal for convenience purposes.
One feature of Netspeak, word creation, occurs when blending, clipping and initialism/acronym are present in the online text as evidenced in Blog B. Clipping, or the frequent shortening of words to mirror their pronunciation, can be seen in terms like ‘ noe’, ‘r’, ‘u’, ‘c’ and ‘2’. The words ‘Oh’ ‘My’ and ‘God’ in the post have been reduced to their initial letters to form the acronym ‘OMG’.
Blog B’s informal setting is reflected with the use of Netspeak features primarily because the blogger’s target audience are her friends.
Netspeak originated from Short Message Services (SMS) to allow users to have voiceless communication. Its initial usage to overcome the problem of word limit subsequently led to its worldwide appeal for convenience purposes.
One feature of Netspeak, word creation, occurs when blending, clipping and initialism/acronym are present in the online text as evidenced in Blog B. Clipping, or the frequent shortening of words to mirror their pronunciation, can be seen in terms like ‘ noe’, ‘r’, ‘u’, ‘c’ and ‘2’. The words ‘Oh’ ‘My’ and ‘God’ in the post have been reduced to their initial letters to form the acronym ‘OMG’.
Distinct spelling for the SMS-lingo, i.e. letter omission and phonetic substitutions, of which Blog B depicts are shown below.
Another feature of Netspeak is visual cues which Blog B uses in the form of the ‘emoticon’ (emotion icon), :). Capital letters are used in ‘OMG’ followed by exclamation marks to depict strong emotions like anger and disbelief.
Another feature of Netspeak is visual cues which Blog B uses in the form of the ‘emoticon’ (emotion icon), :). Capital letters are used in ‘OMG’ followed by exclamation marks to depict strong emotions like anger and disbelief.
Blog A does not have the usual conventions of a blog as portrayed in Blog B partly due to the social status of the writer.
In Blog A, the writer interchanges the use of the pronouns ‘we’, ‘you’ and ‘I’. ‘We’ is used to refer to the Ministry of Health (MOH) indicating their ability and influence to make right decisions. When ‘I’ and ‘you’ are used, the writer attempts to reduce the social distance between the readers and him.
In Blog A, the writer interchanges the use of the pronouns ‘we’, ‘you’ and ‘I’. ‘We’ is used to refer to the Ministry of Health (MOH) indicating their ability and influence to make right decisions. When ‘I’ and ‘you’ are used, the writer attempts to reduce the social distance between the readers and him.
The writer writes in Standard English to maintain his reputation amongst the public. The blog functions mainly as a communication medium between MOH and the public and as a platform for the writer to share his personal views.
The use of medical jargon such as ‘Influenza A/H1N1 vaccine’ and ‘dose’ indicates that the topic of the posting is related to the medical register.
In retrospect, both blogs display varied conventions due to different social settings, socio-economic backgrounds and demographics of its writers.
As teachers, knowledge of language change and variation enables us to be aware that the phonology, morphology and syntax of English have changed. Depending on the social context and writers’ background, the language’s written form differs. In terms of language used in blogs as illustrated by our examples, it enables us to inform our students how to differentiate the Standard English used in classroom writing as compared to Netspeak on blogs.
In reviewing the social context perspective, we can teach our students the uses of authentic language as it is used by real people for real reasons in diverse social contexts, e.g. blogging to inform the public about H1N1.
In reviewing the social context perspective, we can teach our students the uses of authentic language as it is used by real people for real reasons in diverse social contexts, e.g. blogging to inform the public about H1N1.
To put it succinctly, blogs are useful tools to teach language variation to students and demonstrate the different social settings in which language change occurs.
Word Count: 707
H1N1 jab, anyone?
18 September 2009
by Khaw Boon Wan
Yesterday, I announced our contract to buy 1 million doses of Influenza A/H1N1 vaccine from GSK. It will be delivered in batches before year end. GSK will try to let us have the initial batch as soon as possible. (Berita Harian reporter was particularly keen that our Muslim friends would be able to get vaccinated soon, before they leave for Haj in November as the Saudi Authority would require evidence of vaccination.)
….
Cost should therefore not be an issue. But will Singaporeans join the queue to be jabbed?UK estimated that only half of the GPs would agree to be vaccinated. I remember reading a similar reaction from HK health workers some time back.What about Singaporeans?
When I meet my counterparts, many often lament that "it is tough to be a health minister!” We have to make very difficult judgement calls, often in a hurry and without much clarity about the future.
….
This is how we have arrived at this GSK arrangement. In fact, the situation has turned out better than our earlier plan. We had assumed the need for 2 doses per person and we thought an initial order for 500,000 people should be significant enough. Now that it looks like a single dose of GSK vaccine may be adequate to achieve protection, we will have an immediate supply for 1 million Singaporeans, almost one-third of our population. I can now sleep a bit better.
….
I will go for my jab. But if the first lot is over subscribed, then at age 56 (older people seem to have some natural protection), I will give priority to younger Singaporeans. But if the supply is sufficient to cover demand, I will be there in the queue. Will you be next in line?
Blog B Extract
http://huilingrainbow.wordpress.com/2009/05/28/singapore-has-got-4-h1n1-cases/
Singapore has got 4 H1N1 cases!!
….
Cost should therefore not be an issue. But will Singaporeans join the queue to be jabbed?UK estimated that only half of the GPs would agree to be vaccinated. I remember reading a similar reaction from HK health workers some time back.What about Singaporeans?
When I meet my counterparts, many often lament that "it is tough to be a health minister!” We have to make very difficult judgement calls, often in a hurry and without much clarity about the future.
….
This is how we have arrived at this GSK arrangement. In fact, the situation has turned out better than our earlier plan. We had assumed the need for 2 doses per person and we thought an initial order for 500,000 people should be significant enough. Now that it looks like a single dose of GSK vaccine may be adequate to achieve protection, we will have an immediate supply for 1 million Singaporeans, almost one-third of our population. I can now sleep a bit better.
….
I will go for my jab. But if the first lot is over subscribed, then at age 56 (older people seem to have some natural protection), I will give priority to younger Singaporeans. But if the supply is sufficient to cover demand, I will be there in the queue. Will you be next in line?
Blog B Extract
http://huilingrainbow.wordpress.com/2009/05/28/singapore-has-got-4-h1n1-cases/
Singapore has got 4 H1N1 cases!!
Posted May 28, 2009
Do u noe tat there is 4 H1N1 cases in Singapore already? Yesterday, there is 1 case which was a 22 year old woman who just came back from New York for studies. She has been identified 2 have the H1N1 virus. N the 2day, there r 3 people been identified 2 have the virus. OMG!! 4 ppl got it! I dun wan 2 b the next victim. I still want 2 go 2 Secondary, Polytechnic, University n 2 Work. I hope that the doctors or scientists can find the cure 2 the virus. If not, wat r the doctors n scientists 4? To lag? Well i hope all my frens n me wont get it. Got 2 go, i’ll c u in a moments of time. Bye Bye:)
Disscussion Compiled by:
Sham
Devi
Yanny
Terrenz
posted by Terrenz @ 1:31 AM
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