Dr. A. Rakowicz LGCC – Education & Language Acquisition Department ELL 101 Introduction to Language

Research Paper (Global Learning Assignment) Language Use and Attitudes in a Global World and in Your Local Context

Your Task: Write about global and local language use and attitudes.

First, research and write about language attitudes outside of the United States.

Choose a language/dialect outside of the United States and research the attitudes that exist about that language/dialect.

Here are some questions to guide your research and to get you started writing:

1. Provide background information about this language. For example, how many first language speakers of the language are there? What parts of the world is it spoken in? Who speaks it? Is it commonly spoken as a second language/dialect? Where and who speaks it as a second language/dialect?

2. What attitudes exist about this language/dialect? What are some things different people might say about it? Give some examples.

3. Why might this language/dialect be perceived in different ways in different areas or contexts? Provide linguistic examples of differences, such as phonological, lexical and grammatical differences that may exist.

4. What social factors do you think are associated with attitudes that people have towards this language/dialect? Racial? Socioeconomic class? Cultural? Education? Ethnic? Sexual or gender identity association? Physical/mental impairment? Anything else? Explain why any of these might contribute to people’s attitudes towards the language/dialect.

5. Why did you select this language/dialect?

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Dr. A. Rakowicz LGCC – Education & Language Acquisition Department ELL 101 Introduction to Language

If you need help choosing a language to focus on, you may investigate one of the

following languages, or you may investigate one of your own choosing.

Some examples include: • Spanish speakers’ attitudes toward Guaraní speakers in Argentina • South African Bantu speakers as perceived by White South Africans • Quebec French speakers as perceived by Parisian French • Náhuatl speakers as perceived by Spanish speaking Mexicans • British Cockney English speakers as perceived by upper class British • Cantonese speakers as perceived by Mandarin Chinese speakers • North Korean speakers as perceived by South Koreans • Garifuna speakers as perceived by Spanish speakers in Honduras (or Belize) • Arabic speakers’ attitudes toward Amazigh speakers in Morocco

Second, follow the global consideration of language use and attitudes by connecting it to your own relationship with language/dialect you speak. Whether we consider our dialect to be” good” or” bad,” prestige or stigmatized forms of speech, the fact is that we all have opinions about language which shape our views about different people. Write a reflection that describes the attitudes that you and others have about your dialect. [If you are multilingual (speak more than one language), choose one language to focus on.]

Earlier this semester in your Reflection, you looked at your own language/dialect or variety and discussed attitudes that exist towards your language/dialect. Turn your reflection into academic piece and include this discussion in your paper.

Finally, to complete this discussion of a global and local language use, think about the language attitudes that you wrote about in both parts of this research paper and discuss the following in your conclusion: • how people perceive others based on how they speak • how these attitudes might be another way in which various forms of discrimination continue to occur • the steps you can take to counter these perceptions and prejudices

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Dr. A. Rakowicz LGCC – Education & Language Acquisition Department ELL 101 Introduction to Language

Formatting: Your paper should be 5 pages minimum, with 12pt Times New Roman Font, double spacing, and 1-inch margins. Use APA or MLA format for your citations.

Required sources:

You must cite two sources (not including the textbook) using APA or MLA format. The two additional sources must be current, credible, relevant, and authoritative.

Submission: Submit this paper via SafeAssign by the deadline.

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