Analytical Paper

The paper should be approximately 10-12 pages double spaced with font size 12.
You are free to write more.

You must use at least 2 sources. They can be readings we did in class or other academic articles or books. Let me know if you are having problems finding sources and I will help you. You can use any of the several widely used formats (e.g., APA) but be consistent. Without 2 sources, you will not be able to get a grade above a B.

Pick one of the following for your analytical paper.

1. Gender - Collect naturally-occurring samples (with a tape or digital recorder or well taken notes) of how men and women interact in informal situations with family, friends, work, and classroom or even in conversations on television (not scripted shows, but talk shows or anything “live”). Look for patterns that characterize this kind of talk, such as who is dominating the conversation, what topics are spoken about and who decides the topics, and other features that characterize these interactions. You may also include non-verbal behavior that could be indicative of the ways men and women use language. Provide relevant aspects of the context, such as description of context, topic, and participants (i.e., age, socioeconomic status, etc.). Consider if your data support or refute the stereotypes of the way men and women use language?

2. Our Changing World - Changes in our own culture (some brought about by technology) have transformed some of the ways that we communicate (the forms, styles, contexts, and amounts). Among other things we are experiencing the breakdown of established rules, standards, and boundaries. In places like New York City, media-saturated people are on-the-move and they must manage new information all the time. Pick a target group of people (3-5 people) to interview in order to document and analyze how changes in our culture (including technology) are changing the ways they communicate. Take notes and summarize their comments. Distill their thoughts and then speculate on how their group membership (i.e., age, gender, race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, class, immigration status) may be influencing their perceptions and ideas about how they communicate and use language.

3. Linguistic Landscape - Select and visit a setting in New York City (or where you may be residing) primarily oriented towards one ethnicity, nationality, or language (e.g. Lebanese, Greek, Czechoslovakian, German, Thai, Chinese, Japanese Latin American, Asian, Spanish, Arabic) such as a store, restaurant, bar, dance hall, or church. Describe the linguistic landscape, (i.e., the setting), particularly from a communication standpoint. Pay special attention to the organization of space, the individuals present and what they do, the languages spoken, the way language is used on signs, and other aspects of the language use related to its function (buying and selling, eating, drinking, dancing, worshiping etc), Document how one or more