Essays and Research Papers on Linguistics

A 5 page research paper that examines the spread of English usage and argues that English is rapidly becoming the new international language. The writer also examines the impact that this may have on cultural identity around the world. Bibliography lists 4 sources.

A 6 page research paper that examines Shirley Heath’s Ways With Words, an ethnographical linguistic study of two small towns in North Carolina, with an article by Dell Hymes, which outlines the need for theoretical model for sociologically oriented linguistic study. The writer argues that Heath’s study fits the parameters of Hymes’ model. Bibliography lists ...

3 pages in length. The writer discusses why America should incorporate a better bilingual system into society. Bibliography lists 3 sources.

10 pages in length. This is an interesting paper on the aspect of code switching, which is described as the use of two languages used interchangeably. Looks at examples of code switching, as well as studies that have been done on how this impacts people socially and culturally. Bibliography lists 10 sources.

This 10 page paper outlines some current perspectives on 'wh in situ,' which is the movement of the wh-element (who, what, where) in English. This paper provides a comparison of the wh-movement in English and Chinese and discusses whether these movements are covert or overt.

This 8 page paper considers the nature of American Sign Language, the number of speakers, age of speakers and the structure of the language, including morphology. This paper considers how speakers of English might learn ASL. Bibliography lists 5 sources.

Kung Fu: The Legend Continues is a television program based on the life of a Shaolin Priest and his son who is a police officer in San Francisco. This 5 page paper gives a semiotic review of the program based on roles and the use of spoken and body language. Bibliography lists 5 sources.

A 10-page paper that examines the four simple and basic principles that form the framework of popular and effective public speech. Defined and discussed are audience analysis, preparation & organization, articulation, projection & animation, and evident experience presentation. Bibliography lists 7 sources.

A 14 page overview of the changes which have been incurred by the English language since the 1960s. Written from a feminist perspective, this paper outlines changes in the meaning of words and phrases, the creation of new words and phrases, and changes in the use of those words and phrases to convey sometimes ...

A five page look at the origin of a number of semi-related English words in terms of their etymology, structure and function. The relatively long list includes the words listed in the title, plus others such as "belly", "bilge," "bulk", and "boulder." Bibliography lists one source.

A 5 page paper that examines the primary function and usage of the fundamentals of basic grammar. Discussed are parts of speech, syntax, and phrases and clauses along with their basic function and structure. Bibliography lists 5 sources.

This 4 page paper gives advice for speech makers and analyzes the problem of speech anxiety. The subject of shyness versus normal jitters is addressed. Bibliography lists 5 sources.

This 6 page paper considers the universals of language from early development and assesses whether this supports the argument that language is innate. This paper argues that the central components of language present in infants and the fact that differentiated cultures across the world integrate language as a fundamental social structure supports the belief ...

(3 pp). Two articles "English in Multicultural America" by Dennis Baron and "Racism in the English Language" by Robert B. Moore from The Meaning of Difference are compared. Personal opinions concerning their importance are discussed. Bibliography lists 2 sources.

This 5 page paper considers the use of passive language in Russian. The use of passive language occurs in many languages and assessments of the impact of the use of the passive in Russian provides some insight into specific elements of the language. Bibliography lists 4 sources.

A 7 page discussion of ebonics, a term coined by linguist Robert L. Williams in 1975 by combining the words ebony and phonics. Ebonics has invoked considerable controversy in the last few years, in fact it has resulted in widespread laughter and satire. It is also a phenomenon which has torn our nation apart ...

This 5 page paper takes a look at these types of indirect messages and how they are used today. Alternatives are explored. Bibliography lists 3 sources.

A 10 page paper discussing the speech that General Colin Powell made regarding the state of education in the US prior to the official nomination of George W. Bush as the Republican candidate for the 2000 presidential election. It is a wonderful and rousing speech, but the greatest evidence of the effectiveness of General Powell's speech does not ...

5 pages. There are distinct cultural advantages in being able to speak Pidgin. Pidgin is a dialect of local culture, and as such, carries with it a societal advantage that marks one as 'real,' or as a true islander. While some would argue this thesis, there is no doubt that those who are able to carry on ...

An 8 page report on this book by Naomi Baron, "Growing up with Language: How Children Learn to Talk." Many books of this type are dated nearly as soon as they are published. It has been nearly a decade since its first printing, and it appears to be as valid now as when it was published. ...

A 5 page address of the philosophical dilemma of whether or not we can talk meaningfully of a God who transcends creation if language is a part of creation. Questions the innateness of language and the applicability of that innateness to the topic of our own creation and the existence of God. Compares ...

(3 pp). Two articles "English in Multicultural America" by Dennis Baron and "Racism in the English Language" by Robert B. Moore from The Meaning of Difference are compared. Personal opinions concerning their importance are discussed. Bibliography lists 2 sources.

A six page paper which looks at current research into the diagnosis and treatment of phonological and visual-spatial dyslexia, including the social and educational implications of the condition. Bibliography lists 10 sources.

An 8 page research paper that investigates the British National Corpus (BNC) project, which is an orthographically transcribed corpus of ten million words that cover a wide range of speech variation. Bibliography lists 7 sources.

A six page paper which looks at the respective cultures of the Malagasy of Madagascar and the Guugu Ymidhirr of Hopevale, Australia and the ways in which certain socio-linguistic forms have been retained or modified by these two groups, depending on factors such as external cultural influences. Bibliography lists 4 sources.