English Language B - Jun 2013 A2 Question: Language Change

Text E is an extract from a newspaper account of the testimony of Captain Thomas Preston, Commander of the British troops in Boston, America. In 1770, he was tried for murder following a massacre of local people.

Referring in detail to the text and the relevant ideas from language study, explore how language has changed over time.

Key Points:
- archaisms like 'undeceived' and 'Nay'
- use of the long 'S' - graphological changes due to need for speed
- narrowing/specialising: 'retire' and 'observing
- form: an article but also a testimony, reflects a change in privacy laws and reporting laws. Also acts as a persuasive text, so uses many persuasive techniques like directed and reported speech.
- the use on non-standard capitalisation reveals the lack of standardisation in grammar and lexis, a key point in language change
- amelioration of the word 'rascals' - now considered affectionate and often used in conjunction with small children, whereas in the text it is presented as a severe insult
- The discourse structure of the text: long, multi-clausal sentences and use of mix-mode features suggest it is a written up version of a spoken piece. You could mention the archaism 'Nay' in this point as well as above

What Was Written (time limit - approx. half an hour)
One example of how language has changed is through the implementation of standardised grammar and lexis. In the extract, non-standard capitalisation is used for many different purposes, but mostly to add emphasis. An example of this is the non-standard capitalisation of 'Blow' in the phrase: 'having received a sever Blow'. This capitalisation adds emphasis and focusses the audience on the word. The focus works as a persuasive device in the captain's favour, as it adds to the severity of the action and makes the captain a victim in the scenario. This is linked to the fact that the text is a written up version of his testimony and is supposed to convince the audience of his innocence.

Another feature of language change is narrowing (or specialisation). In the extract, the word 'retire' is used to mean 'retreat' or 'surrender'. Contextually, it is fitting to a military situation which reflects the Captain's position, as well as holding a formal tone which may reflect his social standing as a leader. In terms of language change, the meaning of the word in a modern context has been specialised to mean leaving work.

Over time, the meaning of words can go through processes like amelioration or pejoration. An example of this found in the text is the word 'rascals'. In the context of 1770, the word is clearly a severe insult against the captain and his men, and is quoted as an attempt to vilify the 'mob' and victimise the soldiers. However, in a modern context the word's meaning has been ameliorated, as it is now often used affectionately or in conjunction with small children.
The use of direct speech in the instance is a persuasive technique meant to demonise the captains' "opponents". This has direct ties to the secondary purpose of the text as a testimony: to persuade a jury (who may be biased due to the nationality of the captain in the 1700s) that the massacre of local people was justified. Adding direct speech into a testimony rather than reported speech adds more weight to the captain's account of events.

The discourse structure of the text relies heavily on long, multi-clausal sentences. This is possibly because it is a written up version of a spoken account (which would make sense out the mixed-mode features such as the use of 'Nay'). (unfinished)

Comments from Tutor: Excellent systematic approach, clear writing and sound linguistic knowledge. Clear and consistent links to the AOs, and consistently relevant analysis.

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A write up and analysis of June 2012 English Language B exam, language change question