Language in Use 223-224
When a collection of people, gathered together, begin to sense some common
purpose or feeling, they naturally seek to give it expression. This unit is
concerned with the role of collective expression in such a situation. Its
aim is to show what limitations there are upon the kind of language that we
can use as part of a crowd, and how this is related to the nature of crowds.
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[1] The aim of this session is to look at some occasions where a number
of individuals become aware Of themselves as a group because they are involved
in the same experience and feel the need to use language to express their sudden
sense of common purpose. Ask the class to consider situations like a group of
workers in a factory subjected to unusual strain; people in a railway carriage
enduring a long delay; people angered by the exercise of authority; fans learning
that a match has been cancelled; pupils learning that an extra holiday has been
approved. Short improvisations should be prepared to explore what kind of language
is needed for such occasions.
The discussion should focus upon such points as:
(a) the pressure to make utterances very simple
(b) the need for all utterances to be strongly, expressive
(c) the difficulty of conveying detailed information even if it is necessary
(d) what occurs because there is a feeling that everyone in the group shares
a single opinion or attitude.
[2] In this session, the experience gained in [1] is drawn upon to look
at the language behaviour of crowds. The class should come to the session having
had time to view crowds on television or to think about their own experience
in crowds. Using such points as those listed in [I], discuss with the class
how they see crowds achieving a common expression of feeling, and build up on
the board a picture of what features they consider most important,
Ask them to consider the difference between:
(a) ad hoc groups like those improvised in [1]
(b) regular groups like sports crowds
(c) groups whose express reason for existing is to demonstrate publicly, strong
feeling.
[3] In this session, the focus should be upon one type of crowd which
the class agree to gain experience of, directly if possible, or through television.
They should conic to the session with notes about such things as:
(a) the non-verbal expression used
(b) the rise, of calls, slogans, songs: In other words, how language IS being
used merely as gesture
(c) the kinds of feeling expressed and how closely this is related to what actually
happens
(d) the scale of feeling expressed in relation to what happens
(e) the kinds of linguistic expression not used.
The work of this unit may be extended by using film to observe and discuss such examples as the Nuremberg Rallies; revivalist meetings; sporting occasions as exemplified in films made about the Olympic Games or World Cup; or newsreels of demonstrations.