In recent years there has been an upsurge in products and activities designed for infants, what is known as baby culture. The essay is a discourse analysis covering the part of baby culture which is concerned with infants and books. The essay studies texts from libraries and children’s bookclubs in order to understand what it is they communicate, to whom and the conceivable consequences of the communicated message. One of the main purposes of the study is to determine what view of infants as social and cultural beings it  is that arises from the texts. The essay also focuses on the different discourse types used in the discourse on infants and books and to what extent the libraries’ and the bookclubs’ way of reasoning on the subject is differing. The theoretical basis of the study is inspired by Norman Fairclough’s Critical Discourse Analysis and concentrates on the communicative event. The method used is detailed textual analysis rooted in Fairclough’s three- dimensional model of discursive practice, text and social practice. The empirical material consists of texts from information folders, websites etc. The result of the analysis shows that the discourse on infants and books is very similar in the two domains and derives from a wider market- oriented discourse. The discourse constitutes infants as primarily early learners with the inherent potential of becoming a baby genius. The discourse also constitutes a good reading parent who invests in his/her child’s future by stimulating their brain development from a very early age. An examination of the baby market discourse shows that it is a hybrid discourse consisting of various discourse types from diverse (knowledge) domains such as medicine, psychology and pedagogy. The analysis shows how market discourses have infiltrated the discourses of public institutions such as the library and how it affects the way subject entities are constructed.

The focus of this thesis is on Xhosa oral and written poetry. The discussion in the thesis is based on the information from existing literature, the responses from the questionnaires and the interviews with some Xhosa iimbongi (person who sings praises) who have reflected on their personal experiences. In addition to this, S.E.K. Mqhayi is at the centre of discussion because as a prominent Xhosa imbongi he features in both the oral and the written world.

Magister Artium - MA / The focus of this thesis is on Xhosa oral and written poetry. The discussion in the thesis is based on the information from existing literature, the responses from the questionnaires and the interviews with some Xhosa iimbongi (person who sings praises) who have reflected on their personal experiences. In addition to this, S.E.K. Mqhayi is at the centre of discussion because as a prominent Xhosa imbongi he features in both the oral and the written world. / South Africa

This thesis examines the use of storytelling as a tool to facilitate writing in English language learners. It examines specifically the effects storytelling had on the student use of expressive language, story structure and creativity in their writing. It also analyzed the enjoyment level storytelling brought to the writing experience of the student.

This oral interpretation thesis studies the use of oral interpretation in social contexts. The context chosen was the Hospice movement, which deals with assisting terminally ill persons and their families through the stages of death and bereavement. A readers theatre script was compiled for "Ann's Haven: Hospice of Denton County," which was selected for the locus of this thesis. The script was presented to various civic groups for the purpose of informing the public and eliciting support for Ann's Haven. It was found that oral interpretation is a viable rhetorical tool and is well liked by audiences as a means of public enlightenment.

This thesis was written in hope that it will serve as a stimulant to spur innovative ideas in EFL teaching and learning in Taiwan.