Written in the form of a narrative, this thesis explores the phenomenon of
voice in writing, and what the development of an awareness of the multiplicity
voices while writing and reading can mean for language learners. This thesis is
also a personal reflection of depression, and a recollection of individual, family
and life events. One chapter takes the form of a unified narrative, while another
presents anecdotal recollections. It is, in this sense, an exploration of voices
through an analysis of available academic and public writing, and a personal
inquiry into how the concept of voices in writing has affected my development
as an individual and as a writer.
The first section reviews some of the academic and public literature on
writing and voice, and reveals that early writing on the issue of voice reflected a
monolistic theory of voice. That is, that there is one voice that as writers we must
find within ourselves, or there is a voice of the author that we must seek out.
However, views of the multiplicity of voices in writing are increasingly common.
While philosophical tradition since Plato has mistrusted writing and viewed it as
secondary to speech, philosophy has nevertheless employed writing to further its
own inquiries. Re/viewing the issue of voice in writing may be one way to deal
with this long-standing schism between speech and writing.
There is a need to further problematize the field of writing, not searching
for ways to simplify the process but seeking ways to celebrate the inherent
complexity, ambiguity, and paradoxical nature of writing. The thesis concludes
with a reflection on the need to seriously consider the significance of voices in
writing in first and second language instruction.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:LACETR/oai:collectionscanada.gc.ca:BVAU.2429/9739 |
| Date | 11 1900 |
| Creators | Quinn, Andrew Harry |
| Source Sets | Library and Archives Canada ETDs Repository / Centre d'archives des thèses électroniques de Bibliothèque et Archives Canada |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Electronic Thesis or Dissertation |
| Relation | UBC Retrospective Theses Digitization Project [http://www.library.ubc.ca/archives/retro_theses/] |
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