AS Level English Language

Lady Pipi Gigi (1782-1818)

LaDy PiPi GiGi This mnemonic helps us to remember the six linguistic methods that we use to analyse the English language at A Level: Lexis and Semantics: the linguistic method that

deals with words and their meanings Discourse Structure: the linguistic method that

deals with how language is organised Phonology and Phonetics: the linguistic method

that deals with how language sounds Pragmatics: the linguistic method that deals with

how language is interpreted in context Grammar and Syntax: the linguistic method that

deals with how words are modified and ordered to make sense

Graphology: the linguistic method that deals with the visual presentation of language

Questions Focusing On The Linguistic Methods:

1. Lexis and Semantics: why do you think Kellogg’s might have changed their coco pops slogan from 'they even turn the milk brown' to 'they even turn the milk chocolatey'?

2. Discourse Structure: how many conventions can you think of that you might follow when writing a postcard?

3. Phonology and Phonetics: when the Great War poet Wilfred Owen wrote “Only the stuttering rifles’ rapid rattle/Can patter out their hasty orisons,” how was he being clever?

4. Pragmatics: what would you do in Steve’s position and why?

Steve: Do you want a beer? Jason: Didn’t I tell you? I’m a Muslim.

5. Grammar and Syntax: can you explain the differences between these three headlines?

Air Force Bomb Hospital Hospital Bombed By Air Force Hospital Bombed

6. Graphology: Why Is This Wrong?

Robertson & Sons’ Funeral Directors

Text A This is the front of a greetings card.

Text B This is the back cover of Chart Throb, a novel by Ben Elton.

Text C This is a recipe from a magazine for young children.

Text D This is an advertising leaflet, supplied with The Radio Times.

Text E This is a poem taken from A Children’s Treasury of Milligan by Spike Milligan.

Text F This is a conversation between a mechanic and a customer who has filled a petrol car with diesel. Mechanic: so when did this happen then

Customer: last night (.) luckily I only put twenty pounds in

Mechanic: it’s too easy to do (.) it never used to be like this (.) they

should be on a different pump the diesel ones then this couldn’t

happen (.) it beats me

Customer: that’s what the AA man on the phone said (2.0) will it take

long (2.0)

Mechanic: I’m just draining off the petrol into that there and then I’ve got

to flush out the system (.) it’s lucky you didn’t turn the engine over

[background noise]

Customer: why’s that

Mechanic: well that’s a big problem then for you (.) the engine could’ve

(.) parts of the engine could’ve |melted

Customer: |oh no (.)

Prep Work For The AS English Language Course

1. Learn the six linguistic methods, using LaDy PiPi GiGi to help you.

2. Find your own random short texts. Use texts A-F as a model. Remember:

Collect them from a range of genres

Keep them suitably short

Ideally, scan them or type them into a word document

Include at least one example of spontaneous speech (like Text F - observe the transcript conventions). You may have to record it and you will definitely transcribe it yourself. This will take the most time.

3. Analyse the language used in your texts. Write a paragraph on each of the following: Lexis and Semantics Discourse Structure Phonology and Phonetics Pragmatics Grammar and Syntax Graphology

You don’t have to include all of the texts in each paragraph, but you do have to use each linguistic method at least once.

Make sure the texts and your analysis are ready to hand in during the first week of your AS level course