June 2008
Political correctness and slang
1c. Zoe Williams Guardian article on slang that demeans women
2a. Article for online newspaper responding to Zoe Williams
June 2007
Attitudes to Language Change
1c. Kate Burridge article
2a. Broadsheet editorial on views about Language Change
June 2006
Male/female conversation
1c. John and Barbara Pease self-help book
2a. Radio script on male female conversation
June 2005
Child Language Acquisition
1c. Baby and You magazine article
2a.Magazine article
Feb 2005
Language and Representation
1c. George Orwell extract from Politics and the English Language
2a. Broadsheet feature article on language and its effect on attitudes
June 2004
Development of new accents
1c. Daily Telegraph article
2a. Broadsheet feature article on high rising intonation
Jan 2004
Language of texting and emails
1c. Guardian article Cn u txt?
2a. Radio script on texting and email language and attitudes to these forms
June 2003
Political Correctness in Language
1c. Terry Deary extract from Wicked Words kids book
2a. Broadsheet editorial on PC and attitudes to it
Jan 2003
Child Language Acquisition - interaction
1c. extract from Baby Talk advice book
2a. Magazine article on role of verbal interaction
June 2002
Male/female conversation
1c. Extract from John Gray Men Are From Mars, Women From Venus
2a.Broadsheet newspaper article on male/female conversation styles
My guesses for this year’s paper:
Language Varieties and Slang - perhaps something looking at the changing face of Britain’s accents and dialects - Estuary English, MEYD, development of new slang, dialect levelling.
Language Change & Technology* - perhaps something about text messages, emails, social networking and language, and attitudes towards these forms.
Child Language* - hasn't turned up since 2005, but has been set twice before. I suspect it won't appear, but be ready just in case!
Form of question in 2a? Be ready for anything, but letters to the editor and website articles haven’t turned up yet and might do this year.
*Edited to change from my publishing last year's advice - sorry!
