Eng 315

Sprunger

EXAM #2 PREVIEW                                                                        Exam date: 20 Oct. 2004

Since I haven’t yet drafted the exam, heed this warning: not everything on this list will be on the test, and there may be class material on the test that does not appear on the list. The exam format will be multiple-choice, short answer, and brief essay. Phonological change problems will be fill-in-the-blank.

1.         Be familiar with these concepts from the readings and lectures:

morphology

morpheme

allomorph

bound morpheme

free morpheme

derivation

compounding

clipping

acronym

initialism

blend

eponym (words formed from names)

echoism

borrowing

semantics

denotation

connotation

synonym

antonym

homonym

generalization

narrowing

pejoration

amelioration

functional shifts (conversions)

semantic shifts

2.         Be ready to provide examples not discussed in the readings or in class of words formed by processes of clipping, acronym, initialism, blending, eponym, and/or echoism.

3.         Be prepared to write a brief essay on gender difference in language use, referencing ideas in LA. You may use your book for this portion of the exam.

4.         Everyone will have an opportunity to apply some basic concepts in morphology and semantics to a word. See the back of this sheet for an example.

5.         The exam will include a section on phonological change (modeled on that section of exam #1)

6.         Complete one of these take-home questions before class. Your response should be typed and limited to three pages. Evaluation will consider richness of examples, depth of insight/discussion, and pleasure of expression.

A. Discuss modern use of the word “dude” from a linguistic point of view. Describe some of the different ways contemporary speakers use “dude,” providing examples of varied denotation, social context, intonation, and possible gestures. Analyze the connotations and role of the term in establishing the speaker’s prestige dialect.

- OR -

B. Discuss ways that communicating by computers is transforming language. You won’t be able to discuss everything, of course, but define several categories and describe the sorts of computer slang and shortcuts you’ve experienced. Analyze the impact these changes seem to be having on language.