Materijal Za Vjezbe 2

Discourse analysis 21/2/2019
I Mark these sentences L for a literary style or I for a more informal style and underline the
language items which are particularly literary or informal.
1. a We were supposed to get to the hotel by seven, but the snow got worse and worse and
we got later and later.
b We were to have arrived at the hotel by seven, but as the snow grew heavier, the
journey became longer and longer.
2. a I am determined that she shall see you, whatever her doctor has decided.
b She’ll see you, whatever her doctor says.
3. a She was supposed to give him a ring, but the more she saw him, the less she liked him
and in the end she didn’t.
b She was to have given him the ring, but her dislike of him grew and she did not.
II Read this short text and answer the questions.
There can be little doubt that what is required to deal with the increasing threat of international
terrorism are new laws and new powers for the police. Many politicians are demanding an
extension to the period of time during which suspects can be detained without trial. A
government sub-committee is currently working on updating existing legislation in this area.
Each of the committee members has significant experience of such work.
1. Where might you read a text like this?

2. What tells you that this short text is written in formal language?
3. How could you change the text to make it sound more informal?
III This book review was written for a magazine, but has been written in a style which is
considered too formal by the editor. Rewrite the underlined sections of the review in a more
informal style.
(1) Midnight Strikes is the perfect crime novel for anyone to whom Sherlock Holmes is a
hero. I must warn potential readers, however, (2) that the rather literary style in which the
book is written will make it hard-going for those used to fast- moving blockbusters. (3) I
suspect, in fact, that the readers to whom this book will most appeal will probably be over
the age of 30. (4) The story is set in the early part of the twentieth century, a time at
which the general population were quite unaware of the horrors of modern warfare, a
state of affairs which changes dramatically as the plot develops. (5) The villain of the
novel devises a plan whereby he gains the trust of vulnerable people whom he meets at
church. Having befriended them, he gradually persuades them to part with their lifelong
savings. (6) The character with whom many male readers will most closely indentify is
Inspector Blakeman, a tough uncompromising detective whose methods are highly
unconventional. Female readers may find this character hard to accept. (7) The ending,
about which I can say nothing, will come as a genuine surprise.
IV A manager is talking to staff about the security of an office building. Rewrite the underlined
sections in a less formal style.
Thanks everyone for coming. This is a rather unusual meeting (1) in that I’ve called it with so
little notice, but I’d like to draw your attention to a matter of concern. (2) Whilst I don’t want to
focus on negative issues, it’s better to talk about problems when they come up (3) so as to be
able to work out the best solutions. (4) Since I have to go to Head Office quite often, I’m often
unable to oversee the security of this building myself, and there have been a few lapses recently
when I’ve been away. (5) Whilst convinced that common sense is the best guide in most
circumstances, I have prepared some instructions (6) such that you will always know the correct
procedures in my absence. I would like you to study these immediately, (7) for it is important
that we keep up the highest standards.
V Read the extracts below. Where do you think the extracts are from? Comment upon the usage
of the underlined language items.
Abstract
Factors contributing to differences in the prevalences of respiratory symptoms and diseases
among ethnic groups were studied in primary schoolchildren living in 20 inner city areas of
England in 1983. The raised prevalences of respiratory symptoms in these groups were compared
with results from a national representative sample of children studied in 1982. Data on age, sex,
respiratory illness, and social and environmental variables were obtained by questionnaire for
4815 children living in inner cities. The children were classified as white, Afro-Caribbean, Urdu,
Gujarati, Punjabi, other Asian, or ‘other’. Significant differences in the prevalence of respiratory
conditions were found among the ethnic groups after allowance was made for the effects of
interfering variables. Except for asthma all conditions were most prevalent in Afro- Caribbeans
and whites. In these two ethnic groups respiratory illness was significantly associated with
belonging to a one parent family and the combined use of gas cookers and paraffin heaters at
home.
Respiratory illness was found to vary in prevalence among ethnic groups but may be
perceived differently by different groups. Further studies, measuring lung function are necessary.
Introduction
The health of ethnic minority groups in the United Kingdom has been the subject of considerable
discussion and concern during the past two decades. Inherited disorders such as sickle cell
anaemia and illnesses such as rickets have been highlighted. Respiratory health has not been
studied thoroughly, though a higher prevalence of respiratory illness has been reported in West
Indians and respiratory illness in infants was reported to be more common among Bengalis than
the indigenous population of an inner city area. The cause of these differences has not been
studied in detail, although poor social circumstances are probably a factor in some ethnic groups.
As respiratory disease in childhood has been linked with susceptibility to respiratory disease in
later life it is important to investigate the causes of variation in respiratory health between
children of different ethnic groups to identify preventive measures.
This study of primary schoolchildren investigated the prevalence of respiratory illness in
ethnic groups in inner city areas and factors that contribute to differences in prevalence among
the ethnic groups and between the groups from inner cities and a national sample of children.
VI Read the extracts below. Consider why the extracts use the forms in italics.
Capricorn 22 December – 20 January

Try to keep distance or distance yourself from trouble-spots this week. For whatever you say or
do will undoubtedly be taken the wrong way. What’s more, both personal and joint financial
problems are liable to go from bad to worse if you continue to use your usual methods, approach
or tactics.
[Students are discussing how they’ve changed since coming to university]
A: But you don’t notice so much in yourself, do you? I don’t think so, on the whole.
B: I don’t know, I definitely feel different from the first year. I don’t think I look any different or
anything.
A: You’re bound to keep changing, really, all your whole life hopefully.
B: I don’t know, I think it’s probably a change coming away, I suppose…
References
Haines, S. and M. Nettle. (2007). Advanced Grammar in Use: Supplementary Exercises.

Cambridge: CUP.
McCarthy, M. and R. Carter. (1994). Language as Discourse. London and New York:
Longman.

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Discourse analysis 21/2/2019

II Read this short text and answer the questions.

1. Where might you read a text like this?

Capricorn 22 December – 20 January

[Students are discussing how they’ve changed since coming to university]

B: I don’t know, I think it’s probably a change coming away, I suppose…

Haines, S. and M. Nettle. (2007). Advanced Grammar in Use: Supplementary Exercises.

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