Language in Use 97-98
In using language we remain unaware of the degree to which language is composed
of many inter-related patterns. The aim of this unit is to explore pattern
in the organisation of language. It shows that codes work because language is
patterned, and then treats passages front unfamiliar foreign languages as though
they were codes.
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[1] Divide the class into small groups. Give each a short, simple message, ask them to put it into code. When they have done this, the groups should exchange their coded messages and try to decode them.
[2] The aim of this session is to discuss the basis of codes, to show that they are only possible because there are predictable patterns in the language which they can exploit. Take one or two of the coded messages produced in [1], and ask those who tried to crack them to say how they went about it, and those who made them tip to comment on how they set about devising the code.
[3] This session requires the class, working in the same groups, to
have a look at a selection of passages taken from languages which are unfamiliar
to them. The aim is to discover how much they can work out by looking for the
patterns in the language of the passages. Each group should make a short report
to the class on what they have been able to find out and these should be the
basis for a general discussion of what patterns are likely to be visible.
The following are some of the features a class would be likely to pick up:
(a) word order and word classes like noun and verb
(b) how singular and plural are distinguished
(c) words equivalent to a', 'the', prepositions and conjunctions, all of which
indicate grammatical divisions of the
text
(d) whether or not different meanings are indicated by varying, the beginnings
or ends of words
(e) how the language indicates the sub-divisions of sentences like clauses,
noun phrases and verb phrases
(f) different punctuation.
Languages from which texts might be selected include Italian, Spanish or Portuguese; Latin, Norwegian or Swedish; Polish, Finnish or Turkish; and Esperanto.
[4] The aim of this session is to go on to compare what has been discovered in session [3] about other languages with what the class know about their own. The class should consider how English indicates the features listed in session [3] and consequently how the patterns of English differ from those of other languages and what patterns they have in common.