CBS 4943 LANGUAGE AND SOCIETY
Essay 1 Instruction
Due Date: Oct 23, by 11:59 pm (Submission via Blackboard)
Answer one of the following short essay questions.
1. Investigate code-switching in a specific context (e.g. TV or radio commercials,
commercial advertisements in one of the Chinese newspapers, etc.) produced in September 2024. Identify the types of code-switching used and discuss the reasons for code-switching. Your essay should clearly describe the chosen context, provide specific examples from Hong Kong, explain the types of code-switching used, and analyze the reasons for code-switching in relation to Hong Kong's unique sociolinguistic environment. Consider the effectiveness or impact of the code-switching on the intended Hong Kong audience.
2. Compare and contrast the concepts of'language' and 'dialect' in sociolinguistics. Provide two criteria that can be used to distinguish the two. For each criterion, please provide an example to illustrate your argument. One of the examples must be related to Hong Kong's linguistic context (e.g., Cantonese, English, Putonghua). Your essay should include a brief overview of the language-dialect continuum and critically evaluate the strengths and limitations of each criterion, considering how they apply to HongKong's complex linguistic landscape.
3. Define the distinction between a variable and a variant and provide two examples that
illustrate the differences. One of the examples should contain a variable that exhibits regional variation, and the other example should include one that exhibits social variation. One of the examples must be related to Hong Kong. Analyze how these examples demonstrate the relationship between variables and variants and discuss the significance of understanding these concepts in studying language variation and change, particularly in the context of HongKong's diverse linguistic landscape.
4. Define apparent time and real-time approaches to language change and discuss what are the advantages and disadvantages of each approach. Your essay should explain these concepts in sociolinguistic research, compare their methodological strengths and weaknesses, and consider the types of linguistic changes each approach is best suited to study. Provide examples of studies that have used each approach. One of the studies should be conducted in or relevant to Hong Kong. Critically evaluate how these approaches complement each other in providing a comprehensive understanding of language change.
Requirements:
● The answer should be written in the form. of a one-page essay (references and appendix excluded), using a 12-point font and 1.5 spacing. The references should be given in the APA style. While illustrative examples can be given in languages other than English, English should be used as the base language in answering the question.
● Please submit a copy of your assignment in PDF format via Turnitin on Blackboard by Oct 23, by 11:59 p.m. Late submissions will NOT be accepted.
● Attention is drawn to University policy and regulations on honesty in academic work, and to the disciplinary guidelines and procedures applicable to such policy and regulations breaches. The University takes a very serious view against plagiarism in continuous assessment. If cases of proven dishonesty and plagiarism were found, the student(s) would be given a "Fail" grade for the subject, regardless of the weighting of the assessment component. You should visit the following website http://edc.polyu.edu.hk/PSP/Guidelines%20for%20PSP.htm for details before submitting your assignment.