Linguistics Essays William Labov

Linguistics Essays William LabovWilliam Labovs narration analysis differs from some of the introductory approaches in that his system focuses on oral communicatory instead of pen text.William Labovs narrative analysis differs from some of the earlier approaches in that his manner focuses on oral narrative instead of written text. Earlier linguists, such as Ferdinand de Saussure, believed in a structural approach. This meant that language had to be approached as a fixed, clearly defined set of symbols, which furthermore had to be analyse in isolation.However, later linguists, among them Uriel Weinrich, Labovs mentor, believed that the structural approach failed to assist us in understanding the transition of a language from conjure to state (Labov 1972xv). Labovs focus has been to study language as it is intercommunicate, as a fluid and constantly changing dynamic.Most of Labovs mock up of narrative analysis is based on his belief that one contri simplye non understand th e increment of a language potpourri apart from the social life of the fraternity in which it occurs (19723). He feels strongly that observing and recording sound changes is not enough to understand the process of changethat one has to view that change within the context of the community in which it is beingness made, as it is being made.Using this theory, he carefully chose communities where he felt he could do this most effectually. He conducted the first of several in-depth studies in Marthas vineyard, a small, closed island community located in Dukes County, Massachusetts. Labov saw Marthas vinery as an ideal study site primarily because it was very self-contained. In addition, it was physically isolated, located three miles from the mainland.For his next series of studies, Labov selected parts of clean York City. One particular area he focused on in the New York City study focused on Black slope as it was used in certain parts of the city, specifically Harlem. Although H arlem did not pee geographical distance from New York the way Marthas Vineyard did from Massachusetts, racial and socioeconomic boundaries made it an isolated community in its profess way.The main points of Labovs model were first published in 1972 in an essay entitled The Transformation of Experience in Narrative Syntax. In this essay Labov introduces and explains what he sees as the half-dozen main parts of a narrative. He discusses individually part as a tool which we can use to analyze narrative patterns, to help recognize recurring themes and ideas.The six main parts of Labovs model are abstractionist predilection complicating action evaluation resolution and coda. It is not necessary that all six of these be present in every narrative for example, some narratives lead not obligate an abstract, magic spell others whitethorn not have a coda. Additionally, these components need not appear in a specific order, and each may be present in a variety of slipwaythese factors a re also considered in the final analysis.Labov uses the term abstract to call to the introductory part of the narrative. This may be, literally, an abstract, or a brief unofficial of the veritable(a)ts or it may be simply a line or two that will spark the readers interest. The role of the abstract is to attract the listeners interest, and to get the listener to want to fall upon the rest of the story.The next stage is called orientation. During this phase the speaker gives the listener learning about the mise en scene of the story. For example, the speaker will introduce and describe the hoi polloi or characters who will interact in the story, as well the setting (the shopping mall the action occurs) and the time frame. For the story to be valid and graspable to the reader, it is essential that he or she be informed of the time and place in which the narrative unfolds.Following orientation is the complicating action. This refers to the actual events of the narrative, the oc currences that move it ahead. Complicating actions may be physical actions. They may be also be statements spoken aloud, or they may be thought actsEvaluation refers to the point, or reason, the narrative is being told, and it can be done in a phone number of ways. Evaluations may be specifically and clearly stated, or they may be implied.Internal evaluations are those revealed while the story is taking place, while outdoor(a) evaluations take place outside the immediate action of the story (for example, afterwards the story is told). Another evaluation technique is the embedded evaluation. This can be an explanation offered by one of the people in the story, or by the storyteller directly. In addition, it may also be an event in the story.Following this is what Labov calls the result or resolution this, basically, is the conclusion. At this point the cashier indicates that the story has come to a close, that a final action has occurred.Finally, in that location may be a coda. By coda Labov means that the storyteller points out the relevance of the story by connecting it with every-day life, or with other events or actions that fall outside the story frame. The coda does not always have to be present. It may also be present without being explicitly stated.One of the issues to be discussed concerning Labovs model for narrative analysis is the method of info collection, since the means used to gather the data interfere with the data to be gathered (Labov 197243). The interview itself may be considered public speech. However, even within this realm, there are other conditions to be considered. For example, does the relationship of the interviewer to the interviewee sham the latters speech patterns? Does the use of a recording thingumajig affect the interviewees choice of words, perhaps make word natural selection more established than it ordinarily would be? One way of monitor this is to compare the subjects speech patterns during the course of the int erview with his or her speech patterns outside the interview setting. For example, the interviewer could also observe the subject while he or she is relaxed with peers or family members in a less formal setting.Labovs model has strongly influenced language studies since its introduction in 1972, and it continues to be influential in additional settings. With the widespread growth of the internet, we now have a new, informal sort of communication. Linguist Michael Toolan suggests that Labovs model is a effectual tool in the analysis of internet committal to writing. Internet writing is often less formal than academic or other types of writing, but more structured than spoken language.Thus, Labovs model remains effective today. As language itself continues to grow and change, it is quite probable that Labovs model will grow to accommodate that change, and to continue to be a useful tool in years to come.REFERENCESLabov, William (1972) Socioloinguistic Patterns. Philadelphia Universi ty of Pennsylvania Press.Toolan, Michael (1988) Narrative A minute Linguistic Introduction London Routledge.