Language and Identity paper for Anthropology class

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Humanities

Linguistic Anthropology Unit Project

DUE: Thursday, Nov. 1, 9:30 am

In essay format, compare and contrast three linguistic communities to which you belong. Use the comparison/contrast to answer the question: how do these linguistic communities relate to your identity/identities? How do you use language to express your identity/identities?

Your 3-4 page essay should follow the outline below. Please double-space your essay, use one-inch margins, and 12-point Times New Roman font. No extra lines between paragraphs.

  1. Introduction (5 points)
    1. Thesis statement about how the three linguistic communities relate to your identity/identities
  2. Linguistic community #1 (20 points)
    1. What are the norms AND taboos of each?
    2. How do these linguistic patterns reflect the larger culture of that community?
  • Linguistic community #2 (20 points)
    1. What are the norms AND taboos of each?
    2. How do these linguistic patterns reflect the larger culture of that community?
  1. Linguistic community #3 (20 points)
    1. What are the norms AND taboos of each?
    2. How do these linguistic patterns reflect the larger culture of that community?
  2. Discussion/Synthesis of communities (20 points)
    1. How do these linguistic communities relate to your identity/identities? How do you use language to express your identity/identities?
    2. What conflicts/tensions, if any, are there between these communities? Why or why not?
  3. Conclusion (5 points)
    1. Summarize main points and rephrase thesis statement.

Paragraph structure, sentence structure, and grammar: 10 points