Discourse

Why "No Problem" Can Seem Rude

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This video elaborates on the clash between different speakers' interpretations of phatic expressions like "no problem." It cites Dinkin (2017) as one of its sources.

Posted by Sarah Wu on February 12, 2022

Tags:
Language Shift;
Youth;
Discourse

Sonic girls making new words

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These girls are taking words that already exist and combining them to make a new word with a new meaning.

Posted by Taylor on July 1, 2018

Tags:
Crossing;
Acquisition;
Merger;
Variation;
Discourse;
Morphology

Jesse Williams' Speech (BET Awards 2016)

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Popular speech upon receiving the BET Humanitarian award. Example of black preacher style by biracial speaker.

Should Holocaust Denial be Criminalized?

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Fascinating example of rhetorical devices and traditions at the Oxford Union...Question is whether holocaust denial should be criminalized. Proponents narrow the scope of the debate, opponents broaden the issue well beyond holocaust denial. Also, I love the fact that at the Oxford Union, the speakers are introduced by their opposition in the debate...great device that illustrates the philosophy of this great institution.

Posted by Scott Russell on March 11, 2016

Tags:
Ideology;
Power;
Discourse;
Jewish

The Semantics of "Literally"

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This clip from the television show Frasier demonstrates discourse over the semantics of the word "literally".

Posted by Jamie Schnee on February 27, 2016

Tags:
Discourse;
Semantics;
Slang

The Language of Maya Angelou

Sociolinguist Anne H. Charity Hudley discusses the linguistic legacy of Dr. Maya Angelou. Although Angelou spoke out against the legitimacy of African American English during the Ebonics Controversy in the late 1990s, Charity Hudley points out her use of many features of AAE, from morphosyntax to discourse. [Published on 05-29-2014]

Hashtags are the new scarce quotes

the various stances that a hashtag can convey, including distance, solidarity, and sarcasm

Posted by Kara Becker on May 12, 2014

Tags:
American English;
Internet Language;
Discourse

The Origins of Office Speak

An article that describes the evolution of "office speak" or business jargon, in American English, across the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. [Published on 04-24-2014]

Posted by Kara Becker on April 25, 2014

Tags:
American English;
Discourse;
Lexicon

Yo Momma Jokes

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A You Tuber in 2007 demonstrating his best "Yo Momma" jokes. I use this with the reading: Labov, William. 1972. Rules for Ritual Insults. In Language in the Inner City.

Flavor Flav and Doctor Dre Play the Dozens

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A video from 1988 of Flavor Flav and Doctor Dre trading ritual insults. I use this with the reading: Labov, William. 1972. Rules for Ritual Insults. In Language and the Inner City.

Anita Hill-Clarence Thomas Hearings

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A clip from the 1991 confirmation hearing of Supreme Court Justic Clarence Thomas, which shows Senator Arlen Specter questioning Anita Hill. I use this with the reading: Mendoza-Denton, Norma. 1995. "Pregnant Pauses: Silence and Authority in the Anita Hill-Clarence Thomas Hearings."