Language in Use 199-200
This unit is concerned with the way in which we use language to control our
relationship with. other people. It explores our habits in the use of personal
names and forms of address. Its aim is to show that the names we use for people
do many things other than simply identify them for us, and play a vital part
in indicating the nature of the relationship which we have with any particular
person.
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[1] The aim of this session is to explore the significance of the apparently
obvious fact that individuals are known by many different names, each of which,
however, may only be used in a very limited number of situations. Ask the class
to write down a list of the names by which they are known to different people,
together with the typical situations for which they might be used. In addition,
they should make a similar list of names for an adult known to them. In the
subsequent discussion, build tip on the board a picture of what types of name
a person is likely to have and then ask why so many should be necessary. Points
to consider include:
(a) do adults seem to have more names than children, and if so, why?
(b) what kinds of situation require what kinds of name?
(c) are there situations where many names might be used, while in others one
and one only would be appropriate?
(d) do the names relate to the role the individual is presumed to be taking
tip in a given situation?
[2] The aim of this session is to go on to explore the difference between the role that a person would like to adopt in a particular situation and the role that is ascribed to him by means of the name by which he is addressed. Ask the class to divide into groups and prepare short sketches around such situations as that in which one person says something like 'Call me Tom' to somebody else who insists on using a more formal name, or an interviewer who tries to be formal ('Well, Minister to someone who insists on being informal ('Yes, Robin, but ...') After the presentation of the sketches, the class should consider how the Language of the sketches was determined by the choice of address, what kind of relationship the people concerned intend to establish by their choice of address, arid what kinds of topic were simply not available to one person, once the other had used the chosen form of address.
[3] The aim of this session is to explore the way in which our use of
a name is a means of exercising control over another person by indicating what
we take to be his status in relation to us. Suitable areas for investigation
include:
(a) naming in school-first names or surnames'
(b) naming in an organisation like the scouts, the services or a firm
(c) naming I in sport-first name, surname, role, number
(d) change of name-when and how this must, or may, be done.