HSSRP Linguistics Resources by GEB HSSRP

1.1 Language as the best invention of mankind

2023-05-04 14:58:32 UTC

[17 min] In this TEDx Talk, Dr Dan Everett claims language is the best invention of mankind. He discusses the evolution of mankind and how elements of language may have evolved along with it.

1.2 Prerequisites for speech

2023-05-04 14:59:09 UTC

[16 min] How did humans learn to speak? Why did humans learn to speak? What do we need to be able to speak? This lecture by Prof Handke gives an overview of the origins of human language by looking at the biological prerequisites of speech production, He also summarises various hypotheses regarding the emergence of languages.

1.8 What is Linguistics?

2023-05-04 15:05:59 UTC

[13 min] What is Linguistics and what does it do? What is the point of studying Linguistics? Prof Handke's lecture provides the definition of Linguistics, an introduction to the fields of Linguistics, and an overview of data collection methods central to Linguistics studies.

1.9 Language vs. Linguistics

2023-05-04 15:06:32 UTC

[7 min] Prof Handke points out the differences between Language and Linguistics in this short lecture.

11.1 More lectures by Prof. Jurgen Handke

2023-05-04 15:18:31 UTC

In this Padlet, you will have noticed that we refer to a number of recorded lectures by Prof. Jurgen Handke's from The Virtual Linguistics Campus on YouTube. If you would like to listen to more lectures about linguistics from Prof Handke, the link above will bring you to the YouTube page of the Virtual Linguistics Campus.

1.3 Language vs. animal communication

2023-05-04 15:24:28 UTC

How do linguists determine what type of communication is considered a language? Section 1.2 in this blog explains Hockett’s design features of language, which sets human languages apart from animal communication.

2023-05-05 06:46:14 UTC

In this section, you will find lectures that will discuss languages: What languages are, their possible origins, and how they have developed over time.

4.7 Ethnologue

2023-05-05 07:14:53 UTC

This reference provides information and statistics about all the living languages in all the countries of the world.

1.5 Categorising languages and dialects

2023-05-05 08:20:10 UTC

[5 min] In this short animation, you will find out why languages are sometimes labelled as 'language' while other times as 'dialect'. This video explores the concept of 'language varieties' and some considerations underlying the classification and perception of languages.

1.4 Why are there so many languages?

2023-05-05 08:50:47 UTC

[4 min] Why are there so many languages in the world? Why are some languages so different? Why are other languages so similar? This animation shows you how language may have spread, and the process by which linguists work out languages and the families they belong to.

1.10 Linguistics as a window to the brain

2023-05-06 15:19:51 UTC

[50 min] Professor of Psychology Steven Pinker, renowned for his research on visual cognition, psycholinguistics, and social relations, discusses why language is useful for us to understand how our brain works.

He draws data from various fields of linguistics, and explores the importance of language to social relationships, human biology, and human evolution.

1.12 Fields of linguistics

2023-05-06 15:28:13 UTC

In this sub-section, you will find additional (and optional) lectures and examples of different fields of linguistics. This webpage lists and defines the various fields of linguistics, and describes how linguistics is linked to other fields of study.

2023-05-06 15:33:02 UTC

In this section, we learn about phonetics (speech sounds) and phonology (the categorical organisation ('patterns') of speech sounds in a language).

5.1 What is phonetics?

2023-05-08 03:44:52 UTC

[11 min] This lecture by Prof Handke gives an overview of the study of speech sounds through the three subfields of phonetics. These fields study the mechanical process of producing sound, the processes we undergo to understand the sounds we hear, and the physical properties the speech sounds we produce.

5.2 Our speech anatomy

2023-05-08 03:52:26 UTC

[12 min] How do we produce speech sounds? In this lecture, we look at the human speech anatomy and how we use them to produce the sounds we want to make. Prof Handke also provides visual and audio examples of the different kinds of sounds we can make.

5.3 Ways of producing sounds

2023-05-08 04:00:16 UTC

[14 min] In this lecture, Prof Handke introduces to us airstream mechanisms, which shows the different ways in which speech sounds which may be produced. Some of these sounds may not be used in the languages we hear in Singapore, but may be heard in other languages of the world.

5.4 Consonants

2023-05-08 04:09:16 UTC

[19 min] This lecture defines consonantal sounds, which is a segment of speech sound produced by causing a partial obstruction of our breath. The production of these sounds are illustrated using animations and live recordings.

5.5.1 Vowels

2023-05-08 04:11:45 UTC

[16 min] Continuing from consonantal sounds, we now look at vowel sounds and how they are produced. In this first lecture, Prof Handke also shows how they are classified and represented on the Cardinal Vowel Chart, a useful reference tool that describes a particular vowel sound.

5.5.2 More on vowels

2023-05-08 05:54:36 UTC

[16 min] In this second lecture on vowels, we will look at the different types of vowels: monophthongs, diphthongs and semi-vowels. There will be examples from languages around the world.

5.6 Speech perception

2023-05-08 06:29:42 UTC

[14 min] What makes a speech sound comprehensible to us? Why do we sometimes mishear what others are saying? If you are interested in finding more about speech perception, Prof Handke in this optional lecture explains how we interpret speech sounds, using graphs and audio playbacks to show the thresholds required for us to interpret the words we hear correctly. He also discusses phonetic theories that pertain to speech perception.

5.7.3 The IPA chart

2023-05-08 06:37:41 UTC

The IPA chart is a useful reference tool that contains all human speech sounds. This interactive chart provides a common, standardised linguistic reference for the sounds we can hear from languages all over the world. This official chart also has an audio reference for how the speech segments sound like. Read more about it here.

5.9 Phonemes

2023-05-08 06:40:39 UTC

[14 min] Using English as an example, this lecture teaches us how to identify phonemes, a family of speech sounds that never occur in the same situation ('in complementary distribution').

5.8 Phonetics vs. phonology

2023-05-08 06:46:49 UTC

[13 min] In this lecture, Prof Handke describes the differences between phonetics and phonology, using examples from English and German.

5.10 More about phonetics and phonology

2023-05-08 07:06:00 UTC

Here, we have a list of additional optional materials about phonetics and phonology. If you are interested to find out more about these topics, please see the links below:

Reading:
Book chapter containing definitions and concepts in phonetics and phonology

Activity:
An interactive activity to familiarise yourself with IPA

Lectures:
More on phonemes
Identifying distinctive features in phonology, using English as an example
More on distinctive features

5.7.1 Phonetic transcription

2023-05-08 07:09:12 UTC

[15 min] Phonetic transcription provides a specific way for us to describe the sound system of a language. This lecture introduces phonetic notation systems, an essential tool that allows the sounds of a language to be recorded in written form, which others may use to reproduce the same sounds.

5.7.2 The International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA)

2023-05-08 07:17:02 UTC

[12 min] In order to describe the sound systems of all the languages in the world, it is useful to have a notation framework that will represent all these sounds accurately across languages. Following the previous lecture on notation systems, we will now learn about the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA), a transcription system which contains all human speech sounds, and provides a standardised linguistic reference for linguists working on languages all over the world.

2023-05-08 08:00:03 UTC

In this section, you will learn about two foundational linguistics topics: Morphology (word formation) and Syntax (sentence formation).

6.1 What is a word?

2023-05-08 10:53:52 UTC

[12 min] What counts as a word? When is a word not a word? Prof Handke explores the nature of a 'word' with the help of examples from various languages.

6.2 Introduction to morphology

2023-05-08 10:56:15 UTC

[15 min] In this lecture, we explore the topic of morphology, where you will learn first about the different types of languages and writing systems, and then the lecture will proceed to define morphemes. Lastly, Prof Handke will present the analysis of words into their constituent parts.

6.3 Ways of modifying words

2023-05-08 11:15:34 UTC

[14 min] This lecture on morphological operations shows us how words may be modified.

6.4 Ways of building words

2023-05-08 11:16:44 UTC

[15 min] In the previous lecture, we learned how morphological operations modify words. In this lecture, we look at the processes involved in building words, some of which that uses the morphological operations mentioned in the previous lecture.

6.12 More about morphological operations and processes

2023-05-08 15:09:59 UTC

[19 min] If you are interested in finding out more about other morphological operations, this lecture uses present-day English as an example to describe a few other operations found in the English language.

If you would like to find out more about morphological processes, please refer to the lectures on the topics below:

Compounding

Derivation

Reduplication

6.5 What makes a sentence?

2023-05-08 15:17:27 UTC

[11 min] In this lecture on syntax, Prof Handke introduces three different types of sentences (minor, major and elliptical), and a tests that help identify the type of sentence in question.

7.1 What is grammar?

2023-05-09 07:31:29 UTC

[10 min] This lecture gives an overview of the term 'grammar', the types of grammars, and various approaches towards grammar.

6.6 Syntactic categories

2023-05-09 07:33:01 UTC

[20 min] Using the English language as the subject, Prof Handke shows us the constituents that make up the structure of the English language as we know today.

6.7 Syntactic functions

2023-05-09 07:39:12 UTC

[15 min] Following the lecture on the constituents that form English sentences, we now look at the roles of these constituents to determine their function in the English language.

6.9 Constituent tests

2023-05-09 07:43:39 UTC

[18 min] How do we group words to form larger syntactic units (phrases, sentences, etc.)? How do we instinctively know what elements belong together in a unit? How does knowledge of syntactic structure help us interpret sentences? In this lecture, Prof Handke introduces constituent tests, and shows us how constituent analysis helps us interpret the meaning of different types of sentences.

6.8 Constituent analysis

2023-05-09 07:55:27 UTC

[14 min] This lecture introduces the keywords that help us label the elements in a sentence. These keywords will then show us what makes up the structure of a particular sentence.

After this lecture, if you would like to learn more about constituents, you may look at this lecture here.

6.10 Word stores

2023-05-09 08:04:32 UTC

[14 min] In this lecture, we distinguish between two types of word stores: dictionaries and lexicons. Prof Handke also shows how lexical entries are defined and stored in a linguistic manner.

6.11 More about word classes

2023-05-09 08:13:35 UTC

If you are interested in learning about the different word classes and their functions in language, please see the lectures below:

Noun
Noun classes
Adverbial
The verb in Present Day English (Part 1)
The verb in Present Day English (Part 2)
The verb in Present Day English (Part 3)

Verb functions:
Tense
Mood & modality
Aspect & voice

7.2 Generative grammar

2023-05-09 08:22:39 UTC

[11 min] We will start with generative grammar, the most influential model of grammar in linguistic theory. Central to this theory is the production of well-formed sentences and rejecting ill-formed sentences.

7.3.1 Universal grammar

2023-05-09 08:31:14 UTC

[8 min] This lecture introduces Universal Grammar, a famous theoretical concept posited by Noam Chomsky that all humans have the innate capacity to learn grammar. Prof Handke discusses the theory and the problems surrounding this theory.

7.4 Linguistic encoding

2023-05-09 08:49:42 UTC

[15 min] In this lecture on linguistic encoding, we dive into the topic of language processing and how grammar is seen to play an important part in the way we understand and formulate language.

10. Additional topics: Semantics and pragmatics

2023-05-09 08:52:08 UTC

This section is optional. Here, we will look at the field of linguistics that considers meaning -- meaning inherent in the form of the word (semantics), and meaning of the word in context (pragmatics). We will see how playing with meaning can result in humorous situations.

10.1 What is semantics?

2023-05-09 08:54:14 UTC

[17 min] This lecture provides a summary of semantics and how it relates to other disciplines in the field of linguistics.

10.3.1 Ambiguity

2023-05-09 08:58:25 UTC

[21 min] In this lecture, you will learn about the concept of ambiguity and how it affects the interpretation of language.

10.3.2 Vagueness

2023-05-09 09:03:13 UTC

[11 min] This lecture discusses vagueness -- a different concept from ambiguity -- as it deals with unspecified meanings, as opposed to multiple meanings.

10.3.3 Ambiguity vs. vagueness

2023-05-09 09:04:34 UTC

[12 min] To distinguish between the two concepts, Prof Handke provides linguistic tests that may help separate the concept of ambiguity from vagueness.

10.2.2 Reference

2023-05-09 09:08:44 UTC

[19 min] Related to the topic of sense is reference, where the relationship of the word and an object is in question. In this lecture, you will learn about referential semantics (or simply, 'reference') and how to define the relationship between a word and an object.

10.2.1 Sense

2023-05-09 09:11:36 UTC

[20 min] How do we define the relationship between the meanings of words in a language? Lexical semantics studies these relationships, and, in this lecture, we look at sense relations.

10.4 More about semantics

2023-05-09 09:21:03 UTC

[15 min] If you are interested in learning more about semantics, here is an optional lecture on historical semantics, where you will learn about etymology, semantic change and lexical change. Other topics in semantics include:

Theories of word meaning

Sentence semantics

Propositions

Entailment

10.5 Pragmatics

2023-05-09 09:24:50 UTC

[3 min] Professor Steven Pinker introduces the topic of pragmatics to us in this short clip.

10.6 Conversation

2023-05-09 09:27:32 UTC

[15 min] In this lecture on conversation, you will learn about the elements and processes that are required for a successful interaction to take place, including Grice's conversational maxims.

10.7.1 Speech acts

2023-05-09 09:29:25 UTC

[14 min] This lecture on speech acts bridges the topics of semantics and pragmatics by discussing the differences between meaning and meaning in use.

10.7.2 Sheldon open the door

2023-05-09 09:31:27 UTC

[1 min] In this extract from The Big Bang Theory, consider why Sheldon's responses are semantically correct yet inappropriate to the situation.

10.8 Deixis

2023-05-09 09:45:22 UTC

[15 min] Deixis is the method of relating to the spatial-temporal context of the utterance. This lecture discusses different deictic elements.

10.9 More about pragmatics

2023-05-09 09:50:24 UTC

[12 min] What goes on in our minds as we speak? An extension on the lecture of conversation, this optional lecture puts together all the knowledge of linguistics we have learned so far, and discusses the various levels and processes that we experience during a conversation.

1.6 More on Language

2023-05-10 02:45:02 UTC

If you would like to learn more about language, here are links to lectures on topics like language, dialect and variety, language contact, and the possible benefits of bilingualism.

1.11.1 Modern writing systems

2023-05-10 03:00:21 UTC

[10 min] This lecture describes the types of writing systems found in the languages of the world.

1.11.2 Asian language scripts

2023-05-10 03:23:59 UTC

Closer to home, we are surrounded by a multitude of languages and various writing systems, some of which are not common but can be seen around in Singapore. This webpage shows us the language scripts found in Asia.

1.13.1 The Rosetta Stone

2023-05-10 08:36:58 UTC

A stele with three languages inscribed on it (Demotic, hieroglyphics and Greek), this 2000-year-old stone has provided the key to deciphering ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics. Read on to find out how linguistics decoded the Rosetta Stone.

1.13.2 Our own treasure: The Singapore Stone

2023-05-10 08:43:24 UTC

Who knew that Singapore also has our own mysterious stone to decode? The Singapore Stone is a fragment of a sandstone slab which originally stood at the mouth of the Singapore River, dating back to the 1200s, and it is one of the earliest written records of this region. Read on to find out more about this stone, and ongoing linguistic research on it:

Ancient legend of the Singapore Stone
Singapore Stone

1.14 Clinical linguistics

2023-05-10 09:15:14 UTC

[18 min] This lecture introduces the field of clinical linguistics, which studies language disorders of understanding and producing speech.

1.15 Psycholinguistics

2023-05-10 09:16:50 UTC

[10 min] Combining psychology and linguistics, linguists in this field attempt to discover how underlying structures of language are used in the processes of speaking, understanding and remembering, and how they are acquired by children.

1.16 Language engineering

2023-05-10 09:20:45 UTC

[18 min] Hey, Siri! Okay, Google. This lecture discuss the role of the computer in linguistics, computational linguistics, and, of course, Artificial Intelligence.

1.17.1 Discourse Analysis

2023-05-11 04:41:17 UTC

[7 min] Discourse Analysis (DA) and Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) are fundamental methods for linguistic analysis. In this video, Dr Evan Ashworth differentiates between the two and explains these concepts.

DA and CDA take into account both linguistic content and sociolinguistic context. These concepts are particularly useful for Sociolinguistics, Corpus Linguistics and Media Studies.

1.18 Forensic linguistics

2023-05-11 04:51:43 UTC

[14 min] This TED Talk by Forensic Linguistic Consultant Harry Bradford, discusses how forensic linguistics use keywords and linguistic features to form the language profile of a speaker, and how forensic linguists use these clues to help with the fight against cybercrime.

9.1 What is Singlish?

2023-05-11 04:52:39 UTC

[4 min] This video by OGS breaks down what Singlish is and how it came about. The video features anecdotes from the older generation and a Linguistics professor.

8.1 The Origins of English

2023-05-11 05:11:18 UTC

[5 min]

8.3 English: A growing language

2023-05-11 05:23:58 UTC

[6 min] This animation illustrates how English has grown throughout the centuries by borrowing words from other languages, reviving old words, changing its meaning, and combining current words to form new words and meanings.

8.2 The history of English

2023-05-11 05:35:38 UTC

[5 min] This animation shows us part of the history of English and how words from different languages have entered the English language. It also points out why we associate different connotations to two sets of words with the same meaning.

8.4 Changes in the English Language

2023-05-11 05:41:53 UTC

[17 min] This lecture by Prof Handke outlines the changes that the English language has gone through over the past few centuries, to become the version that we use and understand today.

8.5 The Great Vowel Shift

2023-05-11 06:07:46 UTC

[19 min] The Great Vowel Shift is a significant process in the history of English which pushed Middle English to Early Modern English. This lecture provides a detailed explanation of the sound changes that gave rise to the UK English we hear today.

8.6 English everywhere

2023-05-11 06:14:22 UTC

[11 min] In this lecture, you will learn about how English spread all over the globe and the emergence of varieties of English we hear today by speakers of different societies.

8.7 British vs. American English spelling

2023-05-11 06:20:53 UTC

[11 min] Using linguistic theories, this lecture explores British and American English spelling, and how these differences arise.

2023-05-11 06:24:44 UTC

In this segment, you will find resources about Singlish, the colloquial version of the variety of English spoken in Singapore.

9.2 The Coxford Singlish Dictionary

2023-05-11 08:08:38 UTC

The Coxford Singlish dictionary is a lexical compilation of Singlish terms. It is one of the first attempts to compile Singlish words and phrases into a reference material that anyone can use.

9.3 A dictionary of Singlish and Singapore English

2023-05-11 08:10:59 UTC

This is an online compilation of items you can find in Singlish and Singapore English, complete with pronunciation, definition, and examples.

9.4 Making our mark in the world

2023-05-11 08:14:03 UTC

Despite debates and controversies surrounding Singlish in Singapore, some items have been added into the Oxford English Dictionary. Find out here what it takes to be added as an entry in the OED. What do you think about the acceptance of Singlish items into a famous international lexicon of the English language?

11. Additional resources

2023-05-11 08:16:03 UTC

In this section, you will find additional resources that may be useful in pursuing further knowledge about language and linguistics.

Resource Navigation

2023-05-11 08:24:39 UTC

In this Padlet, you will find 9 sections with curated resources on various Linguistics topics. You are encouraged to treat this padlet like a menu, from which you can pick and choose the topics that interest you.

Several topics may complement one another, such as Sociolinguistics and English in Singapore, whereby sociolinguistic theories and frameworks can be used to explore your interest in Singlish. Several research papers have also been linked to provide you with a reference point of what an academic paper looks like.

The main topics are:

Language & Linguistics

Sociolinguistics
Language & the Internet
Language Endangerment & Documentation
Phonetics & Phonology
Morphology & Syntax
Grammar
Historical Linguistics
English in Singapore

There are two more sections with yet more resources if you would like further exploration:

[Additional Topic] Semantics and Pragmatics
Other Useful Resources

1.7

2023-05-15 09:16:57 UTC

From languages, we will now move on to explore Linguistics, the study of languages.

1.11.3 More about the classification of languages

2023-05-15 09:19:24 UTC

If you are interested, there are more lectures on the systematic classification of languages according to their structural features -- i.e. linguistic typology:
Classification of languages
Structural typology
Word order
Language universals

2023-05-15 10:05:26 UTC

In this section, we will discover a little more about grammar and influential theories that support how we are able to use language.

geb_hssrp — 2023-05-22 02:09:59 UTC

In this section, we delve into the English language: its origin, history, and how it has change over the course of the millennium. We begin with a short animation on the origins of English.

geb_hssrp — 2025-01-07 05:08:11 UTC

In this section, you will learn about language and the internet, along with the discipline of Corpus Linguistics. This includes how language is used on social media, how we can make sense of online language, and ways to process linguistic data for analysis.

geb_hssrp — 2025-01-07 05:08:17 UTC

In this section, you will learn about language endangerment, documentation, and revitalisation efforts. Additionally, you will learn how to see which languages are endangered, and also be able to measure a language's endangerment level using an established framework.

geb_hssrp — 2025-01-07 05:08:22 UTC

In this section, you will learn about Sociolinguistics, the study of language in a social context. This includes how language interacts with social factors (i.e. age & gender), and how language is impacted by social settings and vice-versa.

7.3.2 Noah Chomsky

geb_hssrp — 2025-01-09 01:13:55 UTC

[2 min] This short video explains the different schools of thought behind language acquisition, including the American linguist Noah Chomsky's theory of Universal Grammar.

2.1.1 What is Sociolinguistics?

geb_hssrp — 2025-01-09 01:43:50 UTC

[12 min] In this video, Dr Evan Ashworth discusses several key concepts in Sociolinguistics, such as the difference between a language and dialect, types of dialects, accents and slangs.

Do note that Sociolinguistics is descriptive and not prescriptive, meaning that no language/dialect is inherently better than another one.

2.1.2 William Labov and Variationist Sociolinguistics

geb_hssrp — 2025-01-09 01:47:57 UTC

[5 min] In this video, you will learn of the work of the renowned linguist William Labov. Labov pioneered the study of language variation and change, otherwise known as variationist sociolinguistics.

His work includes how different people from different social classes may speak in a different manner, and how language varies in different regions.

For instance, an English speaker from Texas could differ from an English speaker in New York in how they pronounce certain words.

2.2.1 Social factor: Social Class (I)

geb_hssrp — 2025-01-09 02:03:28 UTC

This short paper is about Labov's investigation into whether the pronunciation of the rhotic /r/ sound differed across social classes in New York City.

He found that employees with higher socioeconomic status pronounced the rhotic /r/ more frequently than the employees with lower socioeconomic status.

2.3 Social factor: Gender

geb_hssrp — 2025-01-09 02:18:30 UTC

Language use also varies across gender, and this paper by Eckert discusses several differences observed.

Hierarchy: 248-254

Power and Status: 254-257

Gender and Adolescent Categories: 257-259

Phonological Variation: 259-264

How do you think language use varies across genders in Singapore?

2.2.2 Social factor: Social Class (II)

geb_hssrp — 2025-01-09 02:24:47 UTC

This paper investigated the use of /r/ in Singapore and how it varied across social classes and education levels.

Tan (2012) found that there was a direct correlation between the use of /r/ and educational levels and socioeconomic statuses.

Are there any observable linguistic behaviours you wish to explore?

More about Sociolinguistics

geb_hssrp — 2025-01-09 03:06:04 UTC

Here are more resources

Attitudes and Ideologies

Lannang Identities

Singaporeans and the Chinese Identity

Varieties of English:

African American Vernacular English

Chinese English (Chinglish)

Japanese English (Japanglish)

Korean English (Konglish)

Multicultural London English (MLE)

2.4.1 Language attitudes and ideologies

geb_hssrp — 2025-01-09 03:29:04 UTC

Do you have certain attitudes towards certain language varieties? Perhaps you view someone who speaks Singlish as more unprofessional than someone who speaks Standard Singapore English?

Do you think language ideologies exist, whereby there are shared beliefs and ideas within communities?

For instance, do you think people would treat you differently in America if you used Singlish and if you used British English?

Language attitudes and ideologies discuss how we feel about different languages, why we feel that way, and the social ramifications of these beliefs we hold.

9.8 Study on attitudes and ideologies towards Singlish

geb_hssrp — 2025-01-09 05:35:21 UTC

This paper dives into how Singaporeans feel about Colloquial Singapore English, also known as Singlish, as opposed to Standard Singapore English.

Do note the methodologies used such as the matched-guise technique and Likert scale.

2.4.2 The evolution of attitudes towards Singlish

geb_hssrp — 2025-01-09 05:39:33 UTC

This article from Channel News Asia discusses Singlish and issues surrounding it through the years. It includes some research data on the use of Singlish, reports on the changing attitudes towards Singlish, and official stances on Singlish.

2.5.1 Sociolinguistics theory (I): Kachru's Three Circles of English

geb_hssrp — 2025-01-09 05:50:13 UTC

[1 min] Timestamp: 30:10-31:00

Kachru's Three Circles of English groups World Englishes into different categories.

2.5.2 Sociolinguistics theory (II): Schneider's Dynamic Model

geb_hssrp — 2025-01-09 05:56:40 UTC

[3 min] Timestamp: 31:01-33:55

Schneider's Dynamic Model proposes a framework to examine how English in postcolonial countries develop. Singapore is largely argued to be in the endonormative stabilisation phase.

Do you think it is possible for Singapore to reach the differentiation phase? If so, what would that look like?

3.2 How technology changes language

geb_hssrp — 2025-01-09 06:14:29 UTC

[4 min] British linguist David Crystal explains how technology has changed language over the years.

3.1 How internet slang is changing language

geb_hssrp — 2025-01-09 06:18:12 UTC

[3 min] Ever wondered why we text the way we do? This video shares about memes, slangs, and how the internet has added nuance and creativity to the way we speak online and offline.

3.3.1 Computer-Mediated Communication (CMC)

geb_hssrp — 2025-01-09 06:34:00 UTC

[5 min] Timestamp: 10:15-15:00

Internet linguist Susan Herring defines CMC. When you send a direct message to your classmate on Instagram, or drop a couple of 😆emojis😄 in a WhatsApp group, these are all considered examples of CMC!

3.3.2 Emojis and Graphicons

geb_hssrp — 2025-01-09 06:40:01 UTC

[3 min] Timestamp: 1:23:30-1:26:33

Are emojis/stickers a language in their own right?

Have you ever sent a string of emojis without any words? Did the recipient understand what you were trying to say?

Consider the difference between sending '😂' and ' 😂 😂 😂 😂 😂'... or sending 'lol' instead of 'LOL'!

Timestamp: 1:23:30-1:26:33

3.3.3 The evolution of CMC and CMDA

geb_hssrp — 2025-01-09 06:54:58 UTC

Herring (2018) explains and differentiates CMC and Computer-Mediated Discourse Analysis (CMDA), and explains the inherent multimodality of CMC.

If you were to analyse an Instagram post of a famous athlete, could you only analyse the caption? You would have to analyse the visual aspects of the post (the picture) and perhaps even any accompanying audio. This is an example of multimodality.

CMDA toolkit: Page 2

CMC as multimodal: Page 13

3.4.1 Corpus Linguistics

geb_hssrp — 2025-01-09 07:07:48 UTC

[2 min] In this short video, you will learn from Dr McEnery about Corpus Linguistics, which is an important methodology in modern linguistics.

3.4.2 Corpus Linguistics basics

geb_hssrp — 2025-01-09 07:13:59 UTC

[5 min] This video divulges the basics of Corpus Linguistics, including how corpora are collected and how they are analysed on corpus analysis softwares.

This link here brings us to the British National Corpus (BNC), a live corpus that you can access to experience how corpora work.

3.4.3 Corpus Analysis Software (AntConc)

geb_hssrp — 2025-01-09 07:21:00 UTC

AntConc is a free corpus analysis software created by Dr Laurence Anthony, Professor of Educational Technology and Corpus Linguistics at Waseda University.

It is easy to use and compatible with Windows/MacOS/Linux.

3.4.4 AntConc guide (Getting Started)

geb_hssrp — 2025-01-09 07:30:42 UTC

[10 min] Dr Laurence Anthony has uploaded a detailed guide on YouTube on how to set up AntConc on your computer, along with each function of the analysis software.

If you are keen to pick up a new software with no coding involved, mastering AntConc will not take you more than 1-2 days!

[18 min] AntConc: Corpus Management Basics

[17 min] AntConc: KWIC Tool

[13 min] AntConc: Plot Tool

[4 min] AntConc: File Tool

[7 min] AntConc: Cluster Tool

[11 min] AntConc: N-Gram Tool

[11 min] AntConc: Collocate

[7 min] AntConc: Word List

[12 min] AntConc: Keyword List

3.4.5 Corpus-assisted analyses using AntConc

geb_hssrp — 2025-01-09 07:47:52 UTC

Here are several academic papers which use AntConc to conduct corpus analysis

3.5.1 Artificial Intelligence (AI) and language

geb_hssrp — 2025-01-09 07:51:43 UTC

With the advent of AI and the rapidly evolving landscape of technology in education, read about how the Ministry of Education MOE is implementing AI tools to complement students' learning experiences

3.5.2 Generative AI opportunities and challenges in language education

geb_hssrp — 2025-01-09 08:04:05 UTC

This paper explores the potential benefits and drawbacks of Generative AI in enhancing language education.

Do you think AI is a friend or foe in language education?

4.1 Why do languages die?

geb_hssrp — 2025-01-09 08:11:31 UTC

[3 min] There are more than 7,000 languages. The number of people speaking English, Spanish and Mandarin continues to grow, but every fortnight a langauge will disappear forever. In this video, language expert Lane Greene explains why.

4.2 Why does it matter when languages go extinct?

geb_hssrp — 2025-01-09 08:15:01 UTC

[7 min] When a language becomes extinct, it is not just a language that is lost but entire cultures and heritages cease to exist too.

4.3.1 Language death

geb_hssrp — 2025-01-09 08:31:20 UTC

In this book, David Crystal explains why language death should be a concern for all, along with how we can embark on language revitalisation and documentation efforts.

What is language death: 1-26
Why should we care: 27-67
Why do languages die: 68-90
Where do we begin: 91-126
What can be done: 127-166

4.3.2 Are Chinese dialects in Singapore dying out?

geb_hssrp — 2025-01-09 08:33:31 UTC

As fewer and fewer youths pick up Chinese dialects from their parents and grandparents, will Chinese dialects in Singapore die out?

4.4.1 Language Documentation

geb_hssrp — 2025-01-09 08:46:17 UTC

[11 min] Timestamp: 34:55-46:30

In this lecture, Dr Nala Lee explains why language documentation is critical and shares the language documentation efforts of Baba Malay, a critically endangered language in Singapore.

4.4.2 Assessing levels of endangerment in the Catalogue of Endangered Languages

geb_hssrp — 2025-01-09 08:57:25 UTC

Ever wondered if there was a way to quantify how endangered a language is and compare it to other endangered languages?

Lee and Van Way (2016) demonstrate how to use the Language Endangerment Index (LEI) to measure the vitality of a language whilst critiquing the framework and other frameworks.

The LEI is a central feature of the Endangered Languages Project (ELP)

4.5.1 Language Revitalisation

geb_hssrp — 2025-01-09 09:02:51 UTC

[6 min] Language revitalisation is the intentional effort to restore or strengthen a language that is at risk of disappearing or has already become extinct.

4.5.2 Language Revitalisation of Kristang in Singapore

geb_hssrp — 2025-01-09 09:04:01 UTC

[2 min] With only a few hundred speakers left in Singapore, Kristang is considered a dying heritage language of the Portuguese-Eurasian community.

4.6 Linguistic, Cultural and Biological Diversity

geb_hssrp — 2025-01-09 09:08:22 UTC

Maffi (2005) posits a compelling argument that linguistic, cultural and biological diversity are intrinsically linked and interdependent.

Do you think the proposed interdependency is plausible, and how does this look like in Singapore's context?

1.17.2 Critical Discourse Analysis

geb_hssrp — 2025-01-09 09:25:17 UTC

This paper discusses key principles of Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA), and how discourse interacts with society and power at both the micro and macro levels.

7.3.3 Universality in language

geb_hssrp — 2025-01-14 01:08:27 UTC

This short 6-page paper explores Noah Chomsky's theory of Universality in language, and why he argues for it.

9.5 Speak Good English Movement (SGEM)

geb_hssrp — 2025-01-14 01:26:24 UTC

Here is an open-source slide deck containing information about the Speak Good English Movement (SGEM) which was launched in 2000 by then-Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong.

Do you think the movement was a success?

9.6 How do young Singaporeans feel about English in Singapore?

geb_hssrp — 2025-01-14 01:35:20 UTC

[40 min] This podcast sheds light on the linguistic attitudes and choices of young Singaporean women. This light-hearted video explores the Singaporean accent, code-switching and how Singlish is a quintessential aspect of the Singaporean identity.

11.2.1 Speak Mandarin Campaign (SMC)

geb_hssrp — 2025-01-14 01:44:43 UTC

[6 min] The Speak Mandarin Campaign is a government initiative launched in 1979 to encourage the Chinese Singaporean population to speak Standard Mandarin Chinese and increase literacy rates of the language.

Think about the benefits and consequences that the campaign has, do the pros outweigh the cons?

11.2.2 Attitudes towards the Speak Mandarin Campaign in Singapore

geb_hssrp — 2025-01-14 01:48:26 UTC

If you are interest in attitudes towards Mandarin Chinese in Singapore, this paper is a good place to start! It compares attitudes towards Mandarin Chinese and English.

Do you wonder if these attitudes are consistent with how your peers feel? Do you think it has changed?

11.3.3 Singaporean Mandarin Database

geb_hssrp — 2025-01-14 01:50:13 UTC

This database contains a collection of Mandarin terms which have cultural, historical or sentimental value unique to Singapore. Some terms were used in the past while others are still being used today.

Could you use this database to investigate the Singaporean-Chinese identity?

9.7 Can use Singlish to teach meh?

geb_hssrp — 2025-01-14 03:37:26 UTC

This paper explores whether the knowledge and strategic use of Singlish can help improve learners' competence in Standard Singapore English.

Where to find resources?

geb_hssrp — 2025-01-14 06:29:24 UTC

Searching for resources for the first time can be challenging. Here are some platforms you can visit to look for academic papers:

JSTOR (access via an NLB account)
- For off-campus access, register for a free account and read up to 100 articles every 30 days online for free.
Gale eBooks (access via an NLB account)
ProQuest Central (access via an NLB account)

[HINT: If you have found a good resource and you are struggling to find others, look at the bibliography of the resource you found as a starting point]