Tuesday, January 28, 2020

Varieties Of English Accents Tyneside English English Language Essay

Varieties Of English Accents Tyneside English English Language Essay Tyneside English, otherwise known as Geordie, is one of the most distinctive and unique accents of the United Kingdom. This essay focuses on the phonology, lexis and grammar of this particular dialect, and the historical, social and geographical factors which have influenced its distinctive features. Phonologically, the features analysed are TH-fronting, glottalisation and centring diphthongs, grammatically I have looked at second person pronouns and double modals and the final feature I have analysed is a lexical feature, the term netty. Several academic sources have been used in this essay and thus a brief evaluation of the reliability of them have been discussed. Firstly, looking at the phonology of Tyneside English, a striking feature is TH-fronting, which historically, is a merger that occurs in several dialects, including Cockney and Liberian English. The labiodental fricatives /f/ and /v/ are merged with the Early Modern English dental fricatives /ÃŽÂ ¸/ and /ÃÆ' °/, for instance the adjective three is pronounced as the adjective free. A geographical factor which may have influenced TH-fronting in Newcastle is a pattern of wave or contagion diffusion (Beal 2010:81). TH-fronting is an established feature of London speech and the feature is spreading westwards and northwards from London and thus is only just beginning to be adopted in Newcastle. As Kerswill claims, TH-fronting is adopted later the further North you go (Beal 2010:81). A social factor which may have influenced the spread of TH-fronting to areas like Newcastle from London is the popularity of the media, which have made people less oblivious than previous generations of a large range of accent features. Current evidence suggests individuals and communities imitate people when they meet them and thus adopt new forms of pronunciation, which appear to be extremely stigmatised features (BBC Voices). In addition, prejudice and stereotyping may be another social factor, as labiodental variants have traditionally been socially stigmatised and therefore tend to be avoided by middle-class speakers (Schneider 2004:192). Another phonological feature of Tyneside English is that of glottalisation, for instance the voiced alveolar plosive /p/ is accompanied by a glottal stop /ʆ/ in between vowels. An example of this is /hà ¦ÃƒÅ Ã¢â‚¬ pi:/, as opposed to the Standard English /hà ¦pi/. Beal (2010) states a geographical factor which may have influenced this: the diffusion of Estuary English from London to urban areas much further North, such as Newcastle. However, an alternative view concerning the origin of glottalisation is that it was first observed in the west of Scotland as early as 1860 and didnt occur in London until the beginning of the twentieth century (Pà ©rez-Guerra 2007:39). A social factor which may have influenced the distribution of glottalisation is the fact that Estuary English has been described as an accent of prestige (Anonymous 2006:2) as it is associated with Standard English. The imposed norm hypothesis states the standard variety has come to be regarded as superior due to social pressures (Long 2002:14), therefore arguably Estuary English has spread because it is perceived as desirable. Historically, the feature seems to have diffused to urban centres outside the south-east within the last 30-40 years (Kerswill 2003:11). In addition, Beal suggests another geographical factor which may have affected the distribution of glottalisation: diffusion of the urban hierarchal type whereby the variant starts in larger cities and then spreads out into the smaller towns (Beal 2010:80). In terms such as gate, which is categorised as a face vowel in John Wells Lexical Sets (1982), speakers of the Geordie accent use the centring diphthongs /IÉâ„ ¢/ or /eÉâ„ ¢/, rather than the Standard English /eI/. Watt and Milroy (1999) discovered only older, working class males used the diphthong /IÉâ„ ¢/, whereas younger Tynesiders used the monophthong /e:/ (Watson 2006:56). Watt and Milroy suggest a social factor which may have influenced this: younger Tynesiders are signalling that they dont wish to identify with their old-fashioned fathers, but still wish to be identified as Northerners (Beal 2010:19). A historical factor which may have affected this is the influence of Middle English. The diphthongs [ɆºÃƒâ€°Ã‚ ª] and [É ªÃƒâ€°Ã¢â€ž ¢] were a result of syllable lengthening, as the monophthong /i:/, derived from the Middle English /Ɇº/, was lengthened. A morphosyntactic feature of Tyneside English is the distinction between the singular and plural second person pronouns. In Standard English, no distinction is made, as you can refer to one person or a group of people. On the contrary, speakers of Tyneside English use you in the singular tense and youse in the plural tense. This is often perceived as bad grammar by speakers of Standard English. However Katie Wales (2006), suggests a social factor which influences the distinction is many dialect speakers have felt the loss of a singular-plural distinction in Standard English to be a disadvantage and so have initiated more plurals (Wales 1996:19). This is a valid argument, as the loss of the distinction does appear to be more problematic (Beal 2010:40), as no distinction can sometimes be troublesome, as it is not always clear to whom one is referring to. A historical factor which influenced the distinction is possibly the influence from the large influx of Irish people to Tyneside betw een 1850-1900. Geographically, Kortmann (2008) describes the term youse as Northern (Beal 2010:40). According to Standard English, only one modal verb can appear in each verb phrase as they lack an infinitive and therefore the phrase he might could do it is ungrammatical. However, in Tyneside English, this does not apply, as long as the second modal verb is can or could and thus the previous construction is perfectly acceptable. Forms such as he might could do it are not only quite common, but also serve specific pragmatic purposes (Fisiak 1997:1514). Montgomery and Nagle (1993) suggest a historical factor which may have influenced double modals could be the American and British varieties developing in tandem from some incipient grammatical structure in seventeenth century Scots, as the earliest recorded instances of todays double modals are in Scotland and Southern American English. (Fisiak 1997:1514). Sometimes, the meaning of double modals is different in Tyneside English than in Standard English. For example, the Standard English phrase The lift cant be working can also mean Th e lift mustnt be working in Tyneside English, meaning misunderstandings are almost guaranteed (Keuchler 2007:19). Moving on to lexical features, a common term used in Tyneside lexis is netty, meaning an outside toilet (British Library). A historical factor which may have influenced this is the influence of loanwords, although this is uncertain. It is highly probable that the term comes from a Modern Romanic Italian form of the word gabinetti, meaning toilet. However, John Trotter Brockett (1829), connects the Geordie word netty to the Modern English adjective needy. On the BBC Voices website, Yaron Matras points out that many local dialects in Northumbria have incorporated words of Romani origin into the local slang. Similarly, the British Library website suggests a geographical factor which influences the distribution of the term, claiming There has been a Roma presence for centuries in the Borders area and so it is not surprising this has influenced speech in the North East. Whilst producing this essay, the most helpful and reliable source available was the British Library Sounds Familiar? website. With several audio clips provided to investigate the Geordie Dialect and a case-study specifically on Geordie, the website gives an in-depth study on Tyneside English. Not only does the website allow the user to listen to voice recordings, it also gives the Standard English equivalent and a detailed explanation of the feature. On the contrary, a website which was less useful, was the BBC Voices website. Although the author of the website is the BBC which is an academic institution, the website used anecdotal evidence to support its claims. Furthermore, the information on the Geordie accent was limited and specialist terminology isnt used. Another website looked at was the Sounds Comparisons website. On one hand, this was a reliable source, as it had a whole section dedicated to Tyneside English and allows the user to listen to every vowel and consonant in the Geordie dialect. In contrast, there was no linguistic explanation to compliment the sound recordings, which meant it wasnt helpful when analysing the historical, geographical and social aspects of the variables. Finally, another source included in my research was the British Library Archival Sound Recordings website, which was the least reliable of the four. Despite the fact it allows the user to listen to local people speaking the Geordie dialect, the only explanation given is the topic of conversation, rather than a linguistic analysis. Overall, with the exception of the British Library Sounds Familiar? website, academic books were more informative and reliable, in particular Joan Beals An Introduction to Regional Englishes (2010). In conclusion, the Geordie accent has been described as a proud badge of cultural identity, as invasions of the North-East meant Newcastle was linguistically isolated from other developments in Northumbria. Moreover, the River Tweed is a significant Northern barrier against the influence of the Scots, meaning Newcastle has resisted centralising tendencies (British Library Sounds Familiar?) of Edinburgh. Tyneside English appears to have resisted dialect levelling which leads to a loss of distinctiveness in dialects (Beal 2010:2) as there are significant differences (British Library Sounds Familiar?) between Geordie and other local dialects such as Pitmatic.

Sunday, January 19, 2020

My Summer Vacation :: Summer Vacation Essays

One of my favorite family traditions is summer vacation. Every summer without fail we go on vacation. For the past ten years we have been going to Disney World with our family friends the Battaglia's, so it has turned into a tradition up until last summer when we broke our florida adventure to go to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  We have been going on vacation with the Battaglia's for so long for a very good reason. It is because everyone gets along. My mom, Mr. Battaglia and Mrs. Battaglia are very good friends. Ronnie Battaglia, who is 19, is my best friend and we get along great. My sister Katie, 16, and Beth Battaglia, 18, also get along very well. This works out great because we are all old enough to go out and do our own thing without getting the parents too much involved. Since most of the fun things to do are located right near the hotels we stay at we rarely need to ask them for a ride anywhere, so everyone gets there way and it turns into a great vacation for all of us.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  We have been going to Disney World together for as long as I can remember. We know the place inside and out. Where all the best rides are, which park is the best, it even got so bad that we knew what time the lines for each ride was shortest. Disney World always comes out with some kind of new ride or show each year so that is what mostly kept us continuing to come back year after year. On day though while we were planning our next trip we decided it was time for a change of pace.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  We thought that Myrtle Beach, South Carolina would be a nice place to visit. My mom had already ventured down there with a friend and new that everyone would enjoy it. So we went down there last summer and it was a big transition for all of us. it was more of an adult vacation which was good because we were getting a little too old for Disney World.

Saturday, January 11, 2020

Integumentary System

The Integumentary System Basic Structure of the Skin 1. Complete the following statements by writing the appropriate word or phrase on the correspondingly numbered blank: Epidermis The two basic tissues of which the skin is composed are dense irregular 1. _____________________________ connective tissue, which makes up the dermis, and 1 , which forms the epiKeratin dermis. The tough water-repellent protein found in the epidermal cells is called 2. ____________________________ 2 . The pigments melanin and 3 contribute to skin color. A localized Carotene concentration of melanin is referred to as a 4 . 3. _____________________________ Freckle 4. _____________________________ 2. Four protective functions of the skin are a. b. Protection ____________________________________________ Temperature regulation ____________________________________________ c. d. Prevents water loss _________________________________________ minor excretory system _________________________________________ 3.Using t he key choices, choose all responses that apply to the following descriptions. Key: a. b. c. stratum basale stratum corneum stratum granulosum d. e. f. Stratum Lucidum Stratum corneum & stratum lucidum papillary layer dermis as a whole epidermis as a whole stratum basale stratum corneum stratum spinosum dermis as a whole stratum basale stratum basale papillary layer stratum lucidum stratum spinosum papillary layer g. reticular layer h. epidermis as a whole i. dermis as a whole 1. translucent cells in thick skin containing keratin fibrils 2. dead cells 3. ermal layer responsible for fingerprints 4. vascular region 5. major skin area that produces derivatives (nails and hair) 6. epidermal region exhibiting the most rapid cell division 7. scalelike dead cells, full of keratin, that constantly slough off 8. mitotic cells filled with intermediate filaments 9. has abundant elastic and collagenic fibers 10. location of melanocytes and Merkel cells 11. area where weblike pre-keratin filamen ts first appear 12. region of areolar connective tissue 45 4. Label the skin structures and areas indicated in the accompanying diagram of thin skin.Then, complete the statements that follow. Hair Shaft Stratum Corneum Stratum granulosum Stratum Spinosum Epidermis Layers Stratum Basale nerve endings hair follicle Sebaceous gland Melanocytes Arrector pili muscle Dermis Reticular layer Sweat gland Blood vessel Subcutaneous tissue or Hair Root Hypodermis Vein Adipose cells Pacinian Corpuscle (deep pressure receptor) a. Lamellated granules extruded from the keratinocytes prevent water loss by diffusion through the epidermis. b. c. Glands that respond to rising androgen levels are the sebaceous & apocrine lands. d. Phagocytic cells that occupy the epidermis are called langerhans cells . e. A unique touch receptor formed from a stratum basale cell and a nerve fiber is a merkel disc f. What layer is present in thick skin but not in thin skin? stratum lucidum g. 46 Fibers in the dermis are produced by fibroblasts What cell-to-cell structures hold the cells of the stratum spinosum tightly together? demosomes Review Sheet 7 . . 5. What substance is manufactured in the skin that plays a role in calcium absorption elsewhere in the body? Vitamin D 6.List the sensory receptors found in the dermis of the skin. free nerve endings, messiners corpuscles, pacinian corpuscles 7. A nurse tells a doctor that a patient is cyanotic. Define cyanosis. What does its presence imply? tissues near the skin surface are low on oxygen 8. What is a bedsore (decubitus ulcer)? Why does it occur? blue or purple color to the skin or mucous membranes localized area of tissue necrosis increased pressure over bony areas restrict blood supply to the area Accessory Organs of the Skin 9. Match the key choices with the appropriate descriptions. Key: a. . c. arrector pili cutaneous receptors hair sebaceous glands arrector pili sweat gland-apocrine hair follicle sweat gland-apocrine sebaceous glands hair & nail cutaneous receptors sebaceous glands nail d. e. f. hair follicle nail sebaceous glands g. h. sweat gland—apocrine sweat gland—eccrine 1. produces an accumulation of oily material that is known as a blackhead 2. tiny muscles, attached to hair follicles, that pull the hair upright during fright or cold 3. perspiration glands with a role in temperature control 4. sheath formed of both epithelial and connective tissues . less numerous type of perspiration-producing gland; found mainly in the pubic and axillary regions 6. found everywhere on the body except the palms of hands and soles of feet 7. primarily dead/keratinized cells 8. specialized nerve endings that respond to temperature, touch, etc. 9. secretes a lubricant for hair and skin 10. â€Å"sports† a lunula and a cuticle Review Sheet 7 47 10. Describe two integumentary system mechanisms that help in regulating body temperature. sweat glands- perspiration helps to reduce heat from the skins surface.Arter ioles dilate the skin, then the capillary network of the dermis becomes engorged with the heated blood, then heat is allowed to radiate from the skin surface. 11. Several structures or skin regions are listed below. Identify each by matching its letter with the appropriate area on the figure. C a. adipose cells b. dermis c. epidermis d. hair follicle e. hair shaft f. sloughing stratum corneum cells F E B D A Plotting the Distribution of Sweat Glands 12. With what substance in the bond paper does the iodine painted on the skin react? starch 13.Based on class data, which skin area—the forearm or palm of hand—has more sweat glands? Palm Was this an expected result? ______ Explain. Which other body areas would, if tested, prove to have a high density of sweat glands? 14. What organ system controls the activity of the eccrine sweat glands? soles of the fee, forehead nervous system Dermography: Fingerprinting 15. Why can fingerprints be used to identify individuals? epiderma l ridges found on your fingers are unique and unchanging throughout your lifetime. 16. Name the three common fingerprint patterns. Arches 48 Review Sheet 7 , Loops , and Whorls Integumentary System

Friday, January 3, 2020

All About the French Verb Falloir

Falloir is an irregular impersonal French verb that is better known in its conjugated form: il faut. Falloir means to be necessary or to need. It is impersonal, meaning that it has only one grammatical person: the third person singular. It may be followed by the subjunctive, an infinitive, or a noun. Examples of Falloir   Ã‚  Ã‚  Il faut partirIts necessary to leaveIl faut que nous partionsWe have to leaveIl faut de largent pour faire à §aIts necessary to have / You need money to do thatWhen falloir is followed by an infinitive or noun, it may be used with an indirect object pronoun to indicate who or what needs whatever comes next:Il faut mangerIts necessary to eatIl nous faut mangerWe have to eatIl faut une voitureIts necessary to have a carIl me faut une voitureI need a car Expressions with Falloir Falloir is used in a number of expressions, including:ce quil faut - what is neededIl a bien fallu  ! - I/We/They had to!sil le faut - if (its) necessaryFaudrait voir à   voir (informal) - Come on! Come off it!Il faut ce quil faut (informal) - Youve got to do things right S'en falloir The impersonal pronominal construction sen falloir means to be missing or short of something, as in this action did not occur because something was missing:Tu as ratà © son appel, il sen est fallu de 10 minutesYou missed his call by 10 minutesJe nai pas perdu, mais il sen est fallu de peuI very nearly lost (I didnt lose, but it was close) Conjugations Here are the most common tenses of falloir.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Present tense  Ã‚  Ã‚  il fautImperfect  Ã‚  Ã‚  il fallaitFuture  Ã‚  Ã‚  il faudra