A Level English Language (9093) Paper 3: Question 1- Sample Response

Summary

In this educational video, the host dissects Question 1 from the Cambridge Exam's June 2021 past paper, focusing on language analysis. The discussion revolves around Text A, a blog post by Robert Wan or Tomlin from 2019, and its evolution in language use over time. The video provides a sample response strategy for exam questions, emphasizing the importance of understanding the context and evolution of language. It explores lexical fields, the influence of technology on language, and semantic changes. The host also delves into the use of abbreviations and their rise in digital communication, supported by theories from linguists like David Crystal and Michael Halliday.

Takeaways

• 📘 The video discusses question 1 of the Cambridge exam's paper three, focusing on language analysis from the June 2021 past paper.
• 📚 The language analysis paper includes three texts (A, B, C), with text A being a blog post titled '10 Casual Style Tips for Guys Who Want to Look Sharp' by Robert Wan or Tomlin from 2019.
• 🔍 The analysis involves examining how language evolves over time through these texts, considering factors like technological advancements and social changes.
• 💡 The video provides a sample response to the exam question, emphasizing the importance of an effective introduction and context identification for text A.
• 📈 Text B and C are data-driven, with B being a table and C an anagram graph, both generated from a language corpus to illustrate language change.
• 👔 The blog post in text A is related to fashion, reflecting contemporary trends and language use influenced by the digital era.
• 📊 The video explains how to interpret data from the anagram graph, such as the fluctuation in the usage of 'FYI' over time.
• 🔤 It discusses semantic changes, like the evolution of the word 'awesome' from a potentially negative connotation to a positive one.
• 💬 The video references linguists like David Crystal and Ferdinand de Saussure to support the discussion on language change and its causes.
• 🌐 The analysis ties language changes to technological advancements, such as the impact of computers and the internet on communication and language use.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the video?

The main focus of the video is to discuss Question 1 of Paper 3 for Cambridge exams, specifically language analysis for the June 2021 past paper, and to provide a sample response for writing an effective response in exams.

What are the three different texts given in language analysis?

In language analysis, you are given three different texts: Text A, Text B, and Text C. Text A is the major text, and it can be an article or a blog post. Text B and Text C are generated from a corpus and include a table and an anagram graph, respectively.

What is the title and author of Text A in the June 2021 past paper?

The title of Text A in the June 2021 past paper is '10 Casual Style Tips for Guys Who Want to Look Sharp' and it is written by Robert Wan or Tomlin.

How does the video suggest starting the response for language analysis?

The video suggests starting the response with an introduction that identifies the context of Text A, such as the time period it was written in and the author, as well as discussing the background to what has caused language change.

What is the significance of discussing lexical fields in the response?

Discussing lexical fields is significant as it helps to analyze how language evolves over time in specific areas, such as fashion in the case of the blog post, and how new developments lead to the creation of new words.

Which linguist is referenced in the video to explain language change?

David Crystal is referenced in the video to explain how technology has changed the language, making it unrecognizable from earlier time periods.

What is meant by 'semantic change' in the context of the video?

In the context of the video, 'semantic change' refers to a change in the meaning of a word over time. For example, the word 'period' has evolved from having a different meaning to its current usage.

How does the video suggest analyzing the collocate chart in Text B?

The video suggests analyzing the collocate chart by discussing how words like 'awesome' have undergone amelioration, changing from a negative connotation to a positive one over time, as demonstrated by the synonyms in the chart.

What is the role of the anagram graph in Text C according to the video?

The anagram graph in Text C is used to interpret data about language usage over time, such as the fluctuation in the usage of 'FYI' and its shorter form, and to provide reasoning for these changes.

Which theory is used to explain the crossover of abbreviations like 'FYI' in the video?

The video uses Michael Halliday's functional theory to explain the crossover of abbreviations like 'FYI', suggesting that users adapt language to meet their needs, such as communicating more efficiently.

How does the video recommend concluding the analysis of the three texts?

The video recommends concluding the analysis by discussing how language has become more flexible compared to the past, and how advancements in technology have prompted the creation of new words to accommodate new needs.

Outlines

00:00

📚 Introduction to Language Analysis for Cambridge Exams

This paragraph introduces a video focused on providing tips for Cambridge exams, specifically discussing Question 1 of Paper 3 from the June 2021 past paper. The video aims to guide viewers on how to analyze language through different texts (A, B, and C). Text A is a blog post by Robert Wan or Tomlin from 2019, discussing casual style tips. The paragraph emphasizes the importance of understanding the context and evolution of language over time, mentioning the influence of technology and societal changes on language as discussed by linguist David Crystal. It also touches on the semantic changes in words and the role of the digital era in language development.

05:02

📊 Analyzing Semantic Changes and Cohesion in Texts

Paragraph 2 delves into the semantic changes in language, using the word 'awesome' as an example. It contrasts the positive connotations of the word in contemporary English with its past negative implications. The paragraph also discusses the coherence between Text A and Text B, which includes a collocate chart showing synonyms and the evolution of word usage over time. The use of abbreviations like 'FYI' is analyzed in the context of the late modern period, with a focus on the functional theory by Michael Halliday. This theory suggests that language adapts to user needs and technological advancements, leading to the creation of new words and abbreviations. The paragraph concludes by encouraging a comprehensive analysis of all three texts to understand their interrelation.

Keywords

💡Language Analysis

Language Analysis refers to the examination of how language is used in different contexts and the changes it undergoes over time. In the video, this concept is central as the speaker discusses how language evolves through various text types, such as blog posts and articles. The video aims to help viewers understand how to analyze language in the context of Cambridge exams, specifically focusing on how language has changed due to technological advancements and social influences.

💡Text A, B, and C

These refer to the different types of texts provided in the Cambridge exam's language analysis section. Text A is the major text, often an article or blog post, while Text B and C are supplementary materials like tables or graphs generated from a corpus. In the script, Text A is a blog post titled '10 Casual Style Tips for Guys Who Want to Look Sharp,' which serves as the primary source for analyzing language change.

💡Corpus

A corpus is a large and structured set of texts that is used to study linguistic patterns and trends. In the video, Text B and C are derived from a corpus, which provides data on language usage over time. The script mentions that these texts help analyze how language has evolved, with Text B being a table and Text C an anagram graph, both reflecting patterns found in the corpus.

💡Lexical Field

The lexical field is a group of words that are related in meaning and are used in a particular area of knowledge or activity. In the video, the speaker refers to the lexical field of 'fashion' as it is the theme of Text A, a blog post on style tips. This concept is important for understanding how language in a specific domain can change and adapt to new trends and developments.

💡Semantic Change

Semantic change is the shift in meaning of a word or phrase over time. The video discusses how certain words, like 'awesome,' have undergone amelioration, changing from a negative to a positive connotation. The script provides examples from Text A and B to illustrate how the meaning of words can evolve, reflecting changes in societal attitudes and cultural contexts.

💡Casual Style

Casual style refers to a relaxed and informal approach to dressing. The blog post in Text A is about casual style tips, making this term relevant to the video's content. The speaker uses this concept to discuss how language in fashion-related texts, like the blog post, can reflect and influence changes in everyday language use.

💡Linguistic Approach

A linguistic approach is a theoretical framework used to analyze language. The video references David Crystal's view that technology has significantly impacted language change. This approach is used to support the analysis of how language in Text A reflects broader linguistic trends and the influence of technological advancements on vocabulary and usage.

💡Digital Era

The digital era refers to the period during which digital technology has become prevalent, influencing various aspects of society, including language. The video discusses how the advent of computers and the internet has led to new linguistic features, such as abbreviations and acronyms, which are analyzed in Text A, B, and C.

💡Cohesion

Cohesion in linguistics refers to the logical and semantic connections between parts of a text. The video script mentions cohesion when discussing how the language in Text A and B is connected, showing how words and phrases from different texts can relate to each other in meaning and usage.

💡Functional Theory

Functional Theory, as proposed by Michael Halliday, posits that language is used for various functions and purposes, which can influence how it changes and develops. The video uses this theory to explain the linguistic changes observed in the texts, particularly the shift towards more efficient and abbreviated forms of communication, such as 'FYI' in Text C.

💡Abbreviations

Abbreviations are shortened forms of words or phrases. The video discusses how abbreviations like 'FYI' and 'BRB' have become common in the digital era, as seen in Text C. These abbreviations are analyzed to understand how language adapts to the needs of faster communication, reflecting the influence of technology on language use.

Highlights

Introduction to Cambridge exams language analysis paper pattern, focusing on three different texts: A, B, and C.

Text A is a blog post titled '10 Casual Style Tips for Guys Who Want to Look Sharp' by Robert Wan or Tomlin, written in 2019.

Language change is analyzed through the evolution of texts over time, with Text A, B, and C representing different periods.

Text B is a table generated from a corpus, and Text C is an anagram graph, both reflecting stored data.

Effective response writing in exams is emphasized, with a sample response provided for analysis.

The importance of introducing the context of Text A in the response, such as its late modern period setting.

Discussing the lexical field of fashion and how it has evolved since the industrial revolution.

Reference to David Crystal's view on how technology has influenced language change.

Exploring the digital era's impact on language, particularly in the context of fashion blogging.

Analyzing the semantic change of the word 'period' over time, from a grammatical term to a stylistic emphasis.

Using Ferdinand de Saussure's semiotic system theory to explain the semantic change of 'period'.

Discussing the amelioration of the word 'awesome', showing its shift from negative to positive connotations.

Interpreting the collocate chart in Text B to understand the synonyms and semantic changes.

Analyzing the use of abbreviations like FYI in Text A, reflecting changes in communication in the late modern period.

Exploring the fluctuation in the usage of 'for your information' and its shorter form 'FYI' over time.

Using Michael Halliday's functional theory to explain the flexibility and adaptability of language to user needs.

Concluding the analysis by tying the changes in language back to technological advancements and user needs.

Transcripts

hi everyone and welcome back to my

channel where I provide tips and tricks

for Cambridge exams in today's video

I'll be discussing question 1 of paper

three that is language analysis for the

my June 2021 past paper in this video

I'm sharing sample response with you

let's take a look at the question by now

you must be familiar with the paper

pattern that is given in language

analysis you're always given three

different texts that is text A B and C

text a is the major text and sometimes

the extracts are given from article or

sometime it is given From the Block

entry

in this paper we are given a blog post a

title 10 casual style tips for guys who

want to look sharp and it is written by

Robert Wan or Tomlin in 2019

so when we talk about language change we

must not forget that language change

means uh that through these text types

this text A B and C we're going to

analyze how the language evolves over

time

text B is a table that is generated from

the Corpus or the particularly stored

data

same is the case with text C and that is

anagram graph I have talked about this

engram graph in my previous videos so it

is also this graph is also generated

through the corpus

the most important aspect of this video

is to tell you how to write an effective

response in exams for this I have a

sample response for you

you begin your response with an

introduction that identifies the context

of text a like text eraser set in the

late modern period which nearly everyone

has access to device so knowing what

trend is made easier

you can also start your first paragraph

with an introduction like text a that's

an abstract from blog entry and who

wrote it that is Robert Van tongren and

when was it written then you're giving

some background to what has caused

language change for example you're

talking about the lexical field used in

this block entry this blog is based on

the lexical field fashion and some

Lashes in this area uh from the

industrial revolutions such as lag wheel

genes where there was a need for new

words for new developments this text is

very similar as what may be found in

today's text yet back in early modern

English the Lexus would have seemed more

and rushed or Prestige due to some

influential writers

you can also give a reference to the

relevant linguistic approach for example

according to linguist or David Crystal

uh technology has changed the language

with technology new inventions

discoveries that change the language

that would make it unrecognizable in

early time period and then when you talk

about the development of computers and

internet means you have entered the

digital error and during the early time

period suchion was simply did not exist

so you're talking about the linguistic

changes in the present and the past side

by side

it's a blog post related to fashion so

when you talk about the blog post you're

telling your readers the source of

blocking and that is

um digitally done

here you are digging deeper into texting

the candidate has chosen one example

from uh text a and giving the reasoning

that what has caused

um language change over time for example

the period in text a is considered as

second generation vocabulary is one

study by William Laboe that is American

language suggests that Lexus would

spread quickly since young people

socialize on a day-to-day basis and when

in contact with another your vocabulary

and speech also get altered and perhaps

influence here you're talking about the

semantic change means a change in the

meaning that how the word period has

changed over time earlier it was it was

meant something else and now it is used

for a different purpose so you are

talking when you are giving an example

it must be supported by a linguist or

your own interpretation

there is another interpretation of the

reasoning for the same example for the

same semantic change that is period

taken from text a according to this

response

um the reason behind the semantic change

in the semiotic System Theory that is

introduced by Ferdinand the social Swiss

linguist social states that the word is

symbols which consists of two parts that

is a signifier and a signified and means

a symbol and the concept here in this

case period is a signifier or a symbol

and the signified is it mentally or the

cultural defined concept so in this text

period is used to emphasize a point

meaning that we associate it with it

with that concept however in order a

period of time the word period was only

seen as a grammatical term

then you're giving an example from text

B that is a collocate chart it shows the

synonyms for oh and awesome uh this is

how you start your next paragraph in

text a the word awesome seems to have

undergone or seem to have gone through

amelioration uh that is having a more

positive connotation over time as

demonstrated index b or in the past or

seen as negative word and in most cases

such as Terror whereas in contemporary

English the word awesome relates to the

positive words like amazing and this is

how you are talking about a semantic

change over time and the cohesion you're

showing basically the coherent between

text a and text B in your response

you also have to interpret the data that

is given in anagram graph uh like this

you may start furthermore in text a

deprivation that is FYI is used which

stands for for your information in the

late modern period to electronic

messages uh means you're giving the

reasoning uh for these abbreviations

being used in that period and other

platforms to communicate on

abbreviations were made more common such

as loan BRB uh taxi demonstrates a

crossover of FYI

you must talk about the time period

which shows a fluctuation in this usage

and the reasoning behind that

um that fluctuation

for example from 1900 to 2000 uh for

your information has remained uh

relatively constant in usage despite

minor fluctuations however FYI the

shorter form only recently came in to

use it around 1960s where skyrocketed in

frequency as time went on so after that

you you must talk about it's about the

reasoning that why is it so why there is

uh why there is an increase in the usage

of

FYI shorter form and there is a decrease

in the in the in the in the bigger form

that is for your information

and the way the crossover in text C can

be explained is through Michael Halliday

functional Theory means you're

supporting your argument as well with

some Theory or the theorist which means

that the users find language as a tool

and therefore they will adopt or adapt

to the language in relevance to their

needs today most people will find it's

sufficient to abbreviate for your

information since it is a quick to send

or say it can be it can debate that the

English language has become more

flexible they compare to the Past

and other candidate talks about the same

thing in a different style but this

phenomena can be can be tied back to

Michael halliday's functional Theory

according to halliday's language changes

according to its users and with

advancements in technology inventions

and new discoveries users will create

new words to accommodate for the needs

the new advancements that prompted the

need for the word FYI the short form is

a computer and the internet with

computers people were able to

communicate faster and more efficiently

in this way you need to analyze all the

three text in relation to one another