Language in Use 221-222
Our intuitions about language encourage us to make all kinds of judgements about social groups from a cursory reading of the literature that we associate with them. The aim of this unit is to explore what is distinctive about the language of magazines intended for teenagers The pattern of the unit could also be used to look at the distinctive language of comics, horror comics, SF, or war comics. What is chosen must be what the class actually read for themselves.
[1] The aim of this session is to explore through class discussion the world of teenage magazines, as a preparation for the more detailed examination which follows. Ask members of the class to describe the magazines that they read and say why they read them. As the discussion proceeds, build up on the board a profile of the 'typical' teenage magazine. It -will need to show clearly what is peculiar to those directed at boys, those directed at girls, and what is common to both. This profile needs to be noted as it will be wanted again in session [3]. At the end of the session, divide the class into groups and ask each one to choose a magazine for detailed examination in the next session. If the class is mixed, each group should choose a boys' and a girls' magazine.
[2] In this session, the groups are asked to make a close study of their
chosen magazine and prepare a report for the class. They should consider such
points as:
(a) the range and types of subject matter
(b) how a common attitude like a romanticized view of life can find very different
expression as 'romance' for girls
and 'violent adventure' for boys.
(c) what is distinctively 'teenage' about the language of the other parts of
the magazine
(d) what is distinctive about the way of speaking given to the teenage characters
in the stories
(e) what parts of the magazine would they judge to be virtually unintelligible
to adults and why.
Ask each group to select two short passages that seem to them to characterise most typically by their language alone the audience. for which the magazine is intended.
[3] Let each group make its report and read the passages it has selected. Tile class should have in front of them the profile they constructed in session Ill. In discussion, consider the match between the profile and the evidence from the detailed examination of session [2]. Explore any major discrepancies. Then focus upon the degree to which the actual language used for the magazine gives support to the idea of 'teenager' as a distinctive identity. Consider how this identity differs for the readers and for adults who come across the language, and why.