How often Language varieties and register is asked

Where it was asked

• Supp 202420 marks
• Oct/Nov 202215 marks
• Oct/Nov 202115 marks

The questions

1. Supp 2024, Q2.15 marks

   This question concerns varieties of English used in South Africa. A table is provided contrasting South African Standard English with a Non-standard English Variety, giving three paired examples: (1) 'He likes listening to music' versus 'He is always listening for his musics'; (2) 'She told me what I need to do' versus 'She is the one who told me what I need done'; (3) 'We were not allowed inside' versus 'They were refusing our entry'. Using your own words, explain what is meant by a non-standard variety of English in South Africa, and include two examples to support your explanation.

2. Supp 2024, Q2.215 marks

   This question concerns varieties of English used in South Africa. A table is provided contrasting South African Standard English with a Non-standard English Variety, giving three paired examples: (1) 'He likes listening to music' versus 'He is always listening for his musics'; (2) 'She told me what I need to do' versus 'She is the one who told me what I need done'; (3) 'We were not allowed inside' versus 'They were refusing our entry'. Referring to the table comparing South African Standard English with a Non-standard English Variety (the three paired examples about listening to music, being told what to do, and not being allowed inside), discuss the changes taking place between South African Standard English and Non-standard English. Identify and explain at least three such changes.

3. Oct/Nov 2022, Q2.15 marks

   Language use varies considerably depending on the context in which it is used. Name and describe one variety of English that is spoken within your own context (for instance Black South African English, Indian English, or Pidgin English, among other possibilities), indicating who typically uses this variety.

4. Oct/Nov 2022, Q2.25 marks

   Language use varies considerably depending on the context in which it is used. Using the same English variety you identified in the previous part, create three example expressions that display features typical of that variety, and for each expression explain what makes it distinctive or peculiar to that variety.

5. Oct/Nov 2022, Q2.35 marks

   Language use varies considerably depending on the context in which it is used. For each of the three expressions you constructed above, give the equivalent version of the expression as it would appear in standard English.