published_or_final_version / Language Studies / Master / Master of Arts

Thesis (MPhil (General Linguistics))--University of Stellenbosch, 2010. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Code switching is a widely observed phenomenon in multilingual and multicultural communities. This study focuses on code switching by teachers in multilingual and multicultural high school classrooms in a particular district in the Northern Cape Province of South Africa. The aims of this study were to establish whether teachers in the classrooms concerned do code switch and, if so, what the functions thereof are. With these aims in mind, data were collected from four high schools in the Siyanda District, during 13 lessons in total. These lessons were on the subjects Economic Management Sciences, Business Studies and Accounting. The participants in the study were 296 learners in Grades 8 to 12 and eight teachers. Data were collected by means of researcher observations and audio recordings of lessons. These recordings were orthographically transcribed and then analysed in terms of the functions of code switching in educational settings as identified from the existing literature on this topic as well as in terms of the Markedness Model of Myers-Scotton (1993). The answer to the first research question 1, namely whether teachers made use of code switching during classroom interactions was, perhaps unsurprisingly, “yes”. In terms of the second question, namely to which end teachers code switch, it was found that the teachers used code switching mainly for academic purposes (such as explaining and clarifying subject content) but also frequently for social reasons (maintaining social relationships with learners and also for being humorous) as well as for classroom management purposes (such as reprimanding learners). The teachers in this data set never used code switching solely for the purpose of asserting identity. It appears then that the teachers in this study used code switching for the same reasons as those mentioned in other studies on code switching in the educational setting. The study further indicated that code switching by the teachers was mainly an unmarked choice itself, although at times the sequential switch was triggered by a change in addressee. In very few instances was the code switching a marked choice; when it was, the message was the medium (see Myers-Scotton 1993: 138), code switching functioned as a means of increasing the social distance between the teacher and the learners or, in one instance, of demonstrating affection. Teachers code switched regardless of the language policy of their particular school, i.e. code switching occurred even in classrooms in which English is officially the sole medium of instruction. As code switching was largely used in order to support learning, it can be seen as good educational practice. One of the recommendations of this study is therefore that particular modes of code switching should be encouraged in the classrooms, especially where the medium of instruction is the home language of very few of the learners in that school.

Text in English / The study examines the social motivations that prompt the Rwandan bilingual speakers to code-switch from Kinyarwanda to English, French or Kiswahili in their casual conversations about real-life situations. Methodological techniques used for data collection are ethnographic non-participant observation, oral interviews, focus group discussions and shorthand notes techniques. Examples were examined and interpreted within Myers-Scotton’s Markedness Model as the main theoretical framework for the study. The research findings align with Myers-Scotton’s categories such as the sequential unmarked choice, code-switching itself as the unmarked choice, the marked choice and the exploratory choice respectively. The main social factors that influence code-switching among the Rwandan bilingual speakers were identified as signalling educated status, expressing different social identities, demonstrating measures of power, authority and prestige, narrowing or widening social distance, and maintaining relationships. These results support the hypothesis that code-switching is a strategy to maximise social benefits from the interlocutors in conversation. / Linguistics and Modern Languages / M.A. (Sociolinguistics)

This dissertation seo out to investigate if use of visually symbolic representations in addition to the more traditional written methods of the key elements 9theme, setting, characterisation) of a short story would support South African ESL learners to grow in their interpretation and appreciation and appreciation of English literary texts. The assertion was that using a multimodal (verbal-visual) transmediated interpretation of the key elements (theme, setting, characterisation)of a short story might afford ESL learners a "deeper reading" (inferential comprehension and appreciation) of a literary text, and that the learners could also be supported to grow in their interpretation and appreciation of English literature. The research findings of the literary analysis project revealed that ESL learners with a "satisfactory" English proficiency can be supported by using transmediation to engage them in rich interpretations of literary genres to realise their interpretations linguistically in written academic eesays. / English Studies / M. A.

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No. of bitstreams: 2 Tese - Rodrigo Mesquita - 2015.pdf: 1724032 bytes, checksum: b265b14948cf4290d05ddcc192403763 (MD5) license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-03-12 / Conselho Nacional de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico - CNPq / The Xerente inhabit the right margin of the Tocantins river, approximately 100 km north of Palmas (TO), and the population comprises 3,600 individuals. After more than two hundred years of contact with non-indigenous populations, the Xerente maintain their language and unique cultural traits, a particular way to perceive and immerse themselves in real life. As a consequence of this accelerated process of contact with non-indigenous populations, the Xerente are now in a stage of high bilingualism (BRAGGIO, 2012), a situation that reveals several phenomena, among them, one which is called code-switching (CS). Our work focuses on this phenomenon. The goal is to attain a broad understanding of grammatical and typological characteristics and the social and pragmatic motivations of CS in the Xerentespeaking community. Data from the grammatical analysis, performed with the support of the Matrix Language Frame Model (MLF) and 4-M (MYERS-SCOTTON, 1993a, 2002) models show that, in the CS used by the Akwe, the matrix language (ML) is predominantly the Xerente language, while the Portuguese language is relegated to the position of embedded language (EL) within the bilingual projection of Complementizer (CP), the unit of analysis of the MFL. Additionally, our data present samples of facts which previous studies applying the MLF model have considered to be rare. It has to do with the isolated insertion of grammatical morphemes presenting with the trace [-refers to grammatical information outside of Maximal Projection of Head] and adverbs, which we see, along with the recurrent use of some names and verbs from the Portuguese language (probably borrowings), as evidence of the advanced degree of contact between the Xerente and the Portuguese languages. This reflects the different weight of these languages in certain social domains. The configurations of this contact are also revealed by the analysis of the sociolinguistic variables and the social and pragmatic motivation of the CS, realized under the light of the Markedness Model (MYERSSCOTTON, 1993b), supported by Gumperz (1982) social and interactional approach and the assumptions of the Ethnography of Communication (HYMES, 1972[1964], 1974, 1986). It is then possible to determine that in the urban environment, among the younger population with more schooling, there is a more intense and varied use of CS. In the topic variable analysis, CS is mostly used in subjects regarding social domains related to the predominant language/culture, exactly where there are instances of diglossic conflicts in which languages find themselves in a situation of competitiveness, as pointed out by Braggio (2010). Among the events analyzed, the ritual speech of the elders is, by far, that which presents the greatest resistance to contact with Portuguese. However, in events that take place in the city, as well as other events in which topics are related to that environment, we see CS being used more frequently and presenting greater diversity/complexity. The phenomenon presents itself as a unmarked or exploratory choice, precisely in these events, which gives Portuguese a series of attributes that include the traces [+education], [+formality], [+authority], [+official] and [+sociocultural status]. In view of that, we believe that a broad understanding of CS and of the sociolinguistic configurations in which it takes place, can contribute to the academic education of indigenous populations, in the sense that it will help in the preparation of pedagogical materials. It will also help to establish goals for linguistic policies geared towards providing vitality, and strength to the linguistic and cultural autonomy of the Xerente people. Moreover, the paper also offers a contribution to sociolinguistics, to the study of languages in contact and to the study of indigenous languages, most notably, the Akwe-Xerente language. / O povo indígena xerente (Jê) habita a margem direita do rio Tocantins, aproximadamente cem quilômetros ao norte de Palmas (TO) e tem uma população estimada em 3.600 indivíduos. Após um histórico de mais de duzentos anos de contato com os não índios, os xerente mantêm a sua língua e traços culturais singulares, que constituem uma maneira particular de perceber e se inserir na realidade. Em consequência desse processo de contato cada vez mais acelerado, os xerente se encontram em estágio de bilinguismo alto (BRAGGIO, 2012), situação reveladora de fenômenos diversos, entre eles, o code-switching (CS). Nosso trabalho tem foco especial sobre esse fenômeno, com objetivo de seu entendimento amplo no que diz respeito às características gramaticais, tipológicas e as motivações sócio-pragmáticas do code-switching na comunidade de fala xerente. Os dados da análise gramatical, realizada com suporte dos modelos Matrix Language Frame Model (MLF) e 4-M (MYERS-SCOTTON, 1993a, 2002) mostram que, no CS utilizado pelos akwe, a matrix language (ML), majoritariamente, é a língua xerente, restando ao português a posição de embedded language (EL) dentro da projeção do complementador (ou CP bilíngue), unidade de análise do modelo MLF. Além disso, nossos dados apresentam amostras que constituem fatos considerados mais raros em estudos prévios que aplicaram o modelo MLF. Trata-se de inserções isoladas de morfemas gramaticais que apresentam o traço [- referência à informação gramatical externa ao núcleo do sintagma] e advérbios, o que enxergamos, juntamente com a recorrência do uso de alguns nomes e verbos do português (prováveis empréstimos), como um indício do grau avançado de contato entre as línguas xerente e portuguesa, reflexo da diferença de peso entre elas em alguns domínios sociais. Essas configurações do contato também são reveladas pelas análises das variáveis sociolinguísticas e das motivações sócio-pragmáticas do CS, realizadas sob o prisma do Modelo de Marcação (MYERS-SCOTTON, 1993b), com apoio da abordagem sociointeracional de Gumperz (1982) e dos pressupostos da Etnografia da Comunicação (HYMES, 1972[1964], 1974 e 1986). Verifica-se, então, que é no ambiente urbano, entre os mais jovens e mais escolarizados que se dá uma maior intensidade e variedade no uso de CS. Na análise da variável tópico, destaca-se o uso de CS em assuntos que abrangem domínios sociais relacionados à língua/cultura dominante, exatamente onde há pontos de conflitos diglóssicos em que as línguas são levadas, como aponta Braggio (2010), a uma situação de concorrência. Entre os eventos analisados, as falas rituais dos anciãos são, de longe, os eventos mais resistentes ao contato com o português. Já os eventos realizados na cidade, assim como os demais eventos em que os tópicos são relacionados a tal ambiente, são os que apresentam maior frequência e diversidade/complexidade de CS. O fenômeno se apresenta como escolha não marcada ou exploratória justamente nesses eventos, o que configura o português como um índice de um conjunto de atributos que inclui os traços [+educação], [+formalidade], [+autoridade], [+oficial] e [+status sociocultural]. Diante disso, acreditamos que o amplo entendimento do code-switching e das configurações sociolinguísticas em que ele ocorre, pode contribuir para educação escolar indígena, no sentido de auxiliar na elaboração de materiais didáticos e a traçar metas de políticas linguísticas voltadas para a vitalização, fortalecimento da autonomia linguística e cultural do povo akwe. Ademais, o trabalho também oferece uma contribuição à linguística, à sociolinguística, ao estudo de línguas em contato e ao estudo das línguas indígenas, em especial da língua akwe xerente.

This thesis proposes that by producing and existing within a translingual text, the ethnofeminist has found a way to subvert others' construction of her and redefine her identity. In particular, the ethnofeminist uses code switching to select and reinvent meaning from the language system of the dominant culture while maintaining the language system of the "marginal" group. In combining two (or more) language systems within a literature she has created her own language.

Thesis (M.A. (Language (Education)) -- University of Limpopo, 2022 / The impact of the switch in LoLT between Grade 3 and 4 has been the subject of much research in South Africa which results in grade 4 low pass rate. What constitutes a problem is that during this transition from Sepedi to English as LOLT, most learners are linguistically not ready to make this leap (Heugh, 2006; Maswanganye, 2010). The change of the language of learning and teaching from Sepedi to English in Grade 4 is problematical because of the challenges in adjusting to the use of English as LOLT (Macdonald, 1990; Alexander, 2005; Heugh, 2006; Maswanganye, 2010). The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of English First Additional Language on learners‟ academic performance in Grade 4 at a primary school. A qualitative research approach was adopted in this study due to the fact that this study was explanatory and descriptive in nature. This study used a qualitative case study research design and qualitative interpretive paradigm which allowed the researcher to gather information through observations and interviews. This study was guided by sociocultural theory developed by Vygotsky (1978) because it emphasizes that teachers can use strategies to create classroom conditions that foster learning by modeling, scaffolding and the development of the learners‟ zone of proximal development (ZPD). The study used inductive thematic data analysis method to analyse data collected from observation schedule and interviews. The findings showed that learners‟ hindrance concerning reading and writing in the English language is home based factors because of socioeconomic factors. This study shows that less teacher training also poses challenges to English reading development as they do not have sufficient knowledge on reading strategies to deal with the transition of grade 4 learners from Sepedi to English First Additional Language as a language of learning and teaching. The study recommends training of teachers on how to teach reading and implementation of additive or bilingualism for the subsequent language policy development in South African education system should be considered.

published_or_final_version / abstract / Linguistics / Master / Master of Philosophy

In Second Language Acquisition (SLA)literature there has been a considerable theoretical debate over the issue of teachers’ use of the students’ first language, a phenomenon sometimes referred to as ‘code-switching’. Yet to date there has been little study of the effect of teachers’ use of code-switching (CS) on the second language learning itself. Therefore the aim of this research was to study the effect of teachers’ CS on the learning of English word meanings by two age groups – 19- and 12-year–old EFL students in Korea. To this end, this study implemented a quasi-experimental design but conducive to ecological validity, drawing on intact EFL classrooms of two kinds: one with monolingual English teachers (English-only condition) and the other with bilingual teachers who speak mainly English but occasionally switch to Korean to explain unknown English words (CS condition). Under these two different instructional types, the participants – 286 adult and 443 young learners – were encouraged to learn previously unknown English words, drawn from reading texts, through their teachers’ explanations. The study also employed a participant questionnaire and follow-up interviews, so as to shed light on the issue of teacher CS from the learners’ perspective. The results reveal that, for both age groups, the teachers’ CS by and large yielded better learning results, in terms of vocabulary gains, than English-only instruction. However, an inspection of the effect sizes further shows that young learners, compared with adult ones, might benefit from the CS environment to an even greater degree in the learning of vocabulary. The findings from the questionnaire and interviews further suggest that this differential effect of teachers’ CS might be due to the young learners’ overwhelming preference for teachers’ CS in learning English. These differences both in results and learner perceptions are explained as resulting from proficiency levels on the one hand and levels of learning experience on the other. Having discovered these differential effects of teachers’ CS on the two age groups, the findings of the present thesis call for a reconsideration of pedagogical decisions regarding L2-only instruction, in particular for young L2 learners.

Language is a personal process, a product of not only our development, but of one’s culture. Yet in the United States, an actor must be able to speak without a detectable dialect to be competitive in the entertainment world. How can voice teachers in a multi-cultural society, train students with more attention to the individuality of the students we educate? In this thesis, I present the information I have found important in my development as a voice teacher that has influenced my approach to training actors to use the Neutral American dialect. I begin by outlining human language acquisition and the behavior of code-switching to establish an understanding of how communication is developed. Next, the journey of voice and dialect training in the United States is traced from the 19th century to the present so that we may understand who shaped our speech standards and the motivations behind their efforts. Lastly, I outline how I incorporated my knowledge of language acquisition and code-switching into the sophomore Voice and Speech For the Actor class I taught at VCU in the Spring of 2013 which introduced students to the International Phonetic Alphabet and the Neutral American Dialect. I hope this information inspires other 21st century educators to embrace an inclusive approach to dialect training in a multi-cultural classroom.