Lexical and Grammatical Development of Children Summary..

Pre Verbal Stage

• The Cooing Stage: Occurs 8-20 weeks into the child's life, including sounds like "aaaaah".
• The Babbling Stage: Happens at the age of nine months, sounds like "ba,ba,ba,bbbb"
• Verbal Scribbling: Develops when the child is 30 weeks old. The child begins to use consonants, vowels and fricative, expanding their use of early vocabulary.
• Melodic Utterance: 9 to 18 months into the child's life, as they grow older, the sounds they utter begin to sound more recognizable as words.

Lexical and Grammatical Development of Children

Stage One: Holophrastic..

• The holophrastic, meaning the one word stage, occurs in children from 12-18 months. This is when the child utters their first word. They build a vocabulary of holophrases, which are single words used to convey meaning, this spans up to as much as 50 words. And the child will be able to understand ten times more words now, than before this stage. 
• Holophrases describe the meaning of a phrase or sentence through body language, intonation and volume ie; "doggy" and "gaga", these are examples of short words the child would begin to use, they relate to the child's everyday life. 

Stage 2: Two Phrase Words..

• Age - 18 months.
• The child begins to use two words at a time, Some call this stage 'The emergence of grammar', its now possible for the child to choose a word order, and for others to make simple grammatical analyses of the meanings of these sentences, 
• This usual consists of: a noun (object) -> and a verb (action).
• This allows the child to become more flexible with grammatical functions: "make bridge" "mommy sleep"
• The language of the child at this age relies heavily on context and a sympathetic listener, usually a parent. 
• The language at this age is not deficient or wanting, they are practicing language. 
• At 18 months, children have grasped a great deal of knowledge about language. 
• They have correct syntax, they use prepositions, possession words and pronouns. 

Stage 3: The Telegraphic Stage.. 

• Age: 2-2 1/2 years.
• The child begins to use sentences of up to four words in length.
• Sentences with gaps are used, non lexical words "and, but, if" as well as endings such as "ing" are often lost. 
• They begin to follow the structures of speech. Using question, statement and command sentences.

Stage 4: Post Telegraphic Stage..

• Age:36 months.
• More grammatically complex.
• Also, after this age, the child begins to develop necessary reading and writing skills with appropriate help. 
• After three years old, children's language advances in leaps and bounds. They begin to use: semantics, phonology, grammar and pragmatics. 

Speech.

Why exams aren’t a true representation of intelligence.

 

“Everybody is a genius but if you judge a fish on its ability to climb a tree, it will spend it’s whole life believing its stupid.” Albert Einstein.

 

For years of our lives we discuss the topics set by teachers in groups and learn through interaction, then at the end of the academic year we are forced to sit in silence and recite everything we’ve learnt that was crammed into a five minute revision session the night before. Exams are a test of memory which vary between ages and people. Revision techniques and teaching methods are not always applicable to everyone and this can affect how the subject is understood or approached by students leading them to believe they are not capable. An example of this is my current PE teacher who doesn’t believe in copying from texts books which I find helpful when I don’t understand something.

Many people struggle with nerves and the pressure put on during the exam period, stress levels burst through the roof as we are told we HAVE to meet target minimum grades of B’s, A’s and A*’s. The pressure of this alone can put off students, giving them a sense of impending doom. This shouldn’t be a true representation of intelligence, as many students struggle understanding the questions in the paper, because they are worded so complexly it causes confusion and losing marks.

The time period set for exams are often problematic for students when trying to gain over 100 marks in an hour, theoretically if we had an extra 5 minutes before an exam to revise could we get an A instead of a B, it could even be the difference between a pass and a fail. Its luck depending on the questions you receive and the topics you understand, exams don’t measure intelligence because you could explain your answer as fully as possible but miss one word meaning you don’t get any marks. The amount of revision we have to do means we have no social life and as the saying goes ‘youth is wasted on the young’ this implies that we have the capability to do things like travelling but no time or money to. The amount of information cannot possibly be retained or is even useful for working life; from personal experience I can tell you that I have never used Pythagoras’ Theorem or Hicks Law making it seem very useless.

To conclude, we feel that exams should be scrapped and education should be optional post 16.

 

Techniques Used:

• We used personal experiences in our speech "from personal experience I can tell you...", by using this it makes our speech more persuasive to the audience as it is more believable as we are able to back up our initial point with a valid reason.
•  We included alliterations: "always applicable", "students struggle" and "techniques and teaching".
• We included quotes and phrases, "youth is wasted on the young" "Everybody is a genius but if you judge a fish on its ability to climb a tree, it will spend it’s whole life believing its stupid.”
• We also included a variation of sentence types and a variation of adjectives.

Brown and Levinston's Face Theory and Grice's Maxims + Class Notes

Brown and Levinston's Face Theory.

The 'Politeness theory' accounts for the set of social rules. Formulated in 1978 by Penelope Brown and Stephen Levinson who developed their  'face theory' based on the principles of our desire to be liked and not to be imposed up on.
Face is defined as the public self image every adult has, which is 'attended' to in interaction.
There are to aspects to face. Positive and negative.
The positive face is the desire to be appreciated and liked, and the negative face is the desire to have freedom and not to be imposed upon.
A Face Threatening Act (FTA) is an act which deliberately threatens the face needs of others.

In order to save face, we have the option to use 'politeness super strategies' : Positive politeness is showing you value someone so minimising the threat to the positive face, Off record is avoiding responsibility for the FTA often by being indirect.
Impoliteness is defined as engaging in aggressive face work in particular contexts to cause social disruption, can be done in various ways : Positive impoliteness is attacking the positive face need by not showing you value someone, Off Record is using indirect offence such as sarcasm or banter and Withhold is failing to be polite when it is expected.

Grice's Maxims.

1. The maxim of quantity - where one tries to be as informative as one possibly can, and gives as much information as is needed, and no more.

2. The maxim of quality - where one tries to be truthful, and does not give information this is false or that is not supported by evidence.

3. The maxim of relation - where one tries to be relevant, and says things that are pertinent to the discussion.

4. The maxim of manner - where one tries to be as clear, as brief, and as orderly as one cam in what one says, and where one avoids obscurity and ambiguity.

Grice's maxims say that when we communicate we assume, without realising it, that we and the people we are talking to will be conversationally co-operative, and will co-operate to achieve mutual conversational ends because we feel the need to abide by the maxims. The word maxim means rules.
We can break the conversational maxims in two main ways :
We can violate them, this means that we break the maxims, so that other people do not know. For example if the maxim of quality is violated, a lie has been told in the conversation.
 Or we can flout them, we break the maxim so that it is, obvious to all concerned that it has been broke.

Video link - Shawshank Redemption.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KtwXlIwozog

The video clip shows a small part from the Shawshank Redemption, the two participants of the conversation is between Morgan Freeman's character and the parole officer. In the beginning of the conversation, the Parole officer has the power as he directs him to sit down. He also shows he has power by leading the discourse and calling him by his full name and is leading the conversation on his terms. The parole officer has the maxim of quantity, as he says all that is necessary to the conversation and no more. The power shifts to Morgan Freeman's character, as he interrupts the parole officer and says 'I know what you think it means, sonny'. Morgan Freeman's character takes over the power as the parole officer backs down. Morgan Freeman's character shows the negative face as he wants freedom and no longer wants to be imposed upon.

Short Story - Due Tuesday 21st.

'I Didn't Think It Would Happen To Me'


She hit me again last night. With each hit, whack, thump, kick and punch a shard of my self respect and dignity would fall and shatter on the floor.

I didn't think it would happen to me. Why should it happen to me, surely, I'm just like everyone else? If anything, it should be the other way around. I'm the man in the relationship, so why is my wife beating me?

She does it in front of our son, his impressionable mind soaking up each violent action inflicted upon me. I see him standing in the doorway of his bedroom, through my bleary eyes. Stood with the comforting warmth of the yellow artificial light radiating out to me, like a beacon of safety, tempting me in. Even my two year old son sees 'daddy' get beaten up by 'mummy'. He'll most probably think this is normal. He will, won't he? My face swollen, black eyes, broken bones, constant trips to the hospital and a pack of lies.

Lies. That was all I really said, nowadays. I would get asked "What happened?", I always come up with a lie, "I tripped.", "I walked into a door", "It was very icy outside this morning.". I made excuses constantly to my family, friends, colleagues and to my son. I also expected them to believe me. They usually would swallow the lies more than happy to accept that was the truth. They never suspected otherwise. Maybe some thought another man did it, it's unheard of a wife beats her husband. My broken ribs, bloodied nose, fractured cheek bones were evidence of this, but still it wasn't the truth. They were turning the other cheek. A woman beats me. Oh, if they were only to ask me, I would tell them everything . The only thing is, they never asked, so I never told. It was the dirty secret between the two of us. Anyone who would ever ask, she would stand beside me and put on her façade, her camouflage. How did she feel? I could never tell, but I do know I'm not a disappointment. I'm a terrible husband and an atrocious father. On a daily basis, I receive punishment for it.

I receive the punishment for it and can't help but forgive her afterwards she's hurled through her easily triggered anger spell, and realised what she's done. She would cry, make my shoulder damp with salty tears of regret and apologise profusely. It would be followed shorty with a trip to the hospital at two in the morning. A false, cheery conversation, albeit one sided, would take place, I tended to stare out the window, my eyes stinging with pain. The hospital made me breath a relaxed breath, someone could stop this only if they pressed me for answers. Though, they never did, it didn't stop me from hoping so.
Then she'd do it again, and again and again until one day, I would end up in the familiarity of the intensive care unit or worse, six foot under.

Style Model Analysis.

Charlie Brooker Analysis.

http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/sep/22/apple-software-updates-iPhones-watch-ios-8

Charlie Brooker uses a range of techniques throughout his article about the new software updates Apple has installed on the new Apple products.

Brooker uses features of graphology including a heading, sub heading, photo and well structured paragraphs. He also uses a range of sentence types including complex, compound and simple sentences. There are less simple sentences,this is because Charlie Brooker's mood of writing is often cynical. So he uses long sentences to complain about his chosen subject. An example of this is : "Then theylUnvhed the horrible looking Apple watch, which does everything an iPhone can do, but more expensively and pointlessly, and on a slightly different part of your body".

He uses various techniques like repetition, informality and hyperbole to make the tone of his text conversational and relatable for the reader. Repetition is used to almost make fun of the Apple products "unhealthy devoted Apple fanatic could bear to wear an Apple watch" , this is sarcasm and is used to make fun of anybody who would wear the products. Charlie Brooker uses words like "damn" to get his point across, it makes it more interesting for the reader to read and is informal. Brooker creates comedy in his article by using a hyperbole "is the size of the Isle of Man" she talking about the new iPhones.

I am taking ideas from this text for my course work because I like the idea of writing about something current and technological rebut exploring the way it can affect our generation. I'm also taking ideas from Charlie Brooker because I like the way he writes. He's very cynical about everything, but this adds humor and takes it from a not so funny article to an article with character and humor, it's effective and makes a boring subject readable.


Django Unchained Review.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/filmreviews/9805963/Django-Unchained-review.html

The author of the Django Unchained review includes a range of techniques throughout the review published on the Telegraph.

Firstly, the author uses subject specific lexis like "Golden Globe Winning, Oscar and BAFTA nominated" the author uses this because it is specific to the text, the audience know (if they're film fans - which they most probably are) what he's talking about and also it is appropriate to use in the text.

The author uses references to the audience by mentioning other film titles to address the audience this film is targeted at "The Great Silence (1968) and A Fistful of Dollars (1964)" , this backs up the style the author has written in. It's quite sophisticated and fits in with the film, audience and the Telegraph - who he's writing for. The type of audience is hinted at again when the author includes hints at historical references like "Ku Klux Klamsmen" and "Second World War" suggesting the readers would need knowledge of these to be able to watch the film and read the review.

I am getting ideas from this style model because I have an interest in film and  film reviews. I like the fact this one is written sophisticatedly and has other historical references.

English Monologue - A Bed Among The Lentils.

English Monologue.

Geoffrey.

 

Shows Geoffery, sat in his rust bucket of a car. Rubbing his leather gloved hands together, wrapped up in a large fleece coat. Breathing out large clouds of cold mist. It's winter. It's dark in his car, almost to stay hidden.

Susan's bad enough, sometimes I wish I was married to Jesus. Sometimes, even Susan wishes she wasn't married to me- I can tell this obviously, of course, because of the communion wine.

Now yesterday, I was due to begin to service in the parish. They were all waiting, Mrs Frobisher, Mrs Belcher and all other valued members of our beloved parish. Only- when something caught my eye.

 

(Speech turns angry)

 

The communion wine, was gone! One can only come up with so many scenarios before a conclusion is made. Susan. Yes, Susan, the susposed Vicar's wife. The illusions she has made to remain the ever faithful Vicar's wife. The loyal, faithful, innocent Christian, image Susan has upheld. My Susan's very good at this, yes. Very good at that illusion. When in reality , Susan is a patronising, cold woman. Determind not to have any relationship with Jesus, or myself for that matter.

 

"Have you seen it?" I had said, "What?" She said, acting oblivious.
"The wine, the communion wine. It's gone." I stressed, trying to extract the truth. If she knew anything about it, that was.
"That's no tragedy," Susan waved me off, chucklimg at me almost pitifully as if it was no big deal. She then offered to go and fetch some more. Then I knew, it was her.
"They're not open. Besides, what does it look like?" I spat.
"Well, it looks like we've run out of communiom wine." Susan insisted, rather like... she had something to do with it. Had she? I asked internally.
"We haven't run out. There was a full bottle here on Friday. Somebody has drunk it." Susan elected to ignore that subtle accusation. Although, something was on the tip of Susan's tongue, burning to comeback with something more than offensive. Probably taking the Lord's name in vain.

 

The service has finished and just before Evesong, I was mortified to find Susan missing. I mean, really! How humiliating! The vicar's wife should be present throughout all religious practices.

I followed her at a distance,in her car. For a long time I knew she owed money to the local off licsence. Wanting to know where my wife was going, I still followed. The journey was long. Ending up in Leeds, I pulled up near enough where Susan had parked the car. Discovering an Asian man opening the door for the innocent Vicar's wife as she stepped past him and over the threshold, looking behind her paranoid, obviously all lights in my car were switched off. It's getting late now anyway, Susan went in half an hour ago,one doesn't shop for a replacememt communion wine for half an hour. Doesn't take long to know what she's doing in there. I'm sure shop owners don't open the door for every customer.

Susan doesn't want to be married to me, or to Jesus. Susan has a little problem that shall be dealt with, adultry.

Travel Writing Homework.

A Day In Rome.

Some say when in Rome, do as the Romans'. Or at least take a photo with a Roman dressed as a gladiator, who then rips you off for the price of one photo.

Rome is a money hotspot, literally, the roads should have been paved with gold. Filled with Ferraris flashing soundlessly by on the cobbled streets, faultless scenic views in the distance and the monumental buildings covering the Vatican city. This is a playground for the rich.

Wherever you go in Rome, money is always the central theme. The numerous amount of homeless people sprawled across the pavements, with their hands cupped for money. They are more than insistent for a coin or two.
Strolling the small alleys and high-streets, often overlooked charming little walkways, you tend to cross the most extravagant shops you definitely don't find at home. These lavish multi story shops include the world famous designer Louis Vuitton and Ferrari shops. So, you truly have to be wealthy to enjoy the Roman lifestyle.

Another thing this city revolves around is religion. If anybody reading this has any sense of general knowledge then, you will know Rome is the Catholic capital of the world. Home to the Pope and the huge number of religion is famous for. If you are in Rome for a day or two, I most definitely recommend watching 'Angels and Demons' before you go, this is the film adaptation of Dan Brown's book, or if you have time, read the book. That way you'll learn a ton about the Eternal City prior to visiting.

Lets not forget to mention the food! Italian food may be world famous, and imitated all over the Globe, but there isn't anything as authentic as tasting proper Italian food in Rome. Italians' love their food, this is definitely obvious at any family owned restaurant. Who knew there is so many varieties of cheese?! I mean, the olives you are about to eat taste even better, when you're sure you can see the trees' they grew on in the distance.

Before you leave Rome, don't forget to seek out the mesmerising Trevi fountain and toss a coin into it's turquoise waters. I certainly did, it's a tradition for tourists. It's been said that if you do, you're sure to return to the Eternal City again some day.