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Sample Analysis

The reflection 'Moments of Impact' analyzes the use of formal and informal registers in the language of the main character, Lisa, and her mother, highlighting their differing attitudes towards language. Lisa's use of Standard English signifies her education and embarrassment about her Creole-speaking background, while her mother embraces her culture by speaking Creole. These elements illustrate societal views on education and teenage pregnancy.

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24 views1 page

Sample Analysis

The reflection 'Moments of Impact' analyzes the use of formal and informal registers in the language of the main character, Lisa, and her mother, highlighting their differing attitudes towards language. Lisa's use of Standard English signifies her education and embarrassment about her Creole-speaking background, while her mother embraces her culture by speaking Creole. These elements illustrate societal views on education and teenage pregnancy.

Uploaded by

kyle3227p
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

ANALYSIS

In the reflection “Moments of Impact” there are many elements that are used to achieve
the purpose. The two elements that will be analyzed in this piece are use of registers and attitudes
to language.

Both formal and informal registers are used in the reflective piece. The use of Standard English
by the main character Lisa shows that she has become well educated since she has decided not to
follow in her sister’s footsteps. She relates her past in Standard English and even in the dialogue
with her mother she refrains from using Creole but rather uses a formal register. This can be seen
when she says, ““I hate her! I hate her!” Her mother on the other hand, uses an informal register
by speaking Creole. When she says, “Lisa, mek me tell u something about yu sista that you don’t
know” her language choice can be seen. This shows that her mother did not obtain a high level of
education. This fact can be further shown when Lisa mentions that she grew up in a very poor
family; hence, this would mean that her mother was not able to obtain a high level of education.
For this reason she speaks in Creole at all moments.

While reading the short story we can see the different attitudes to language between Lisa
and her mother. Despite growing up in a Creole-speaking environment, Lisa refuses to speak in
Creole. The entire time she is relating the story she is speaking in Standard English and even
when she speaks to her mother, she does so in the formal register. This shows that Lisa is
embarrassed by her culture. She relates speaking Creole to a lower class and feels that if she does
not use a formal register she will be considered as uneducated just like her sister. When she says,
“These small moments determined the way I lived my life” we can see how she relates her sister
to a lower class or inferior to her. Her mother on the other hand shows no embarrassment and is
proud of her background. This can be seen when she talks to her daughter in Creole even after
she has spoken to her in Standard English. The quote “Yu sista had to drop out of school and get
a job to raise her child” shows that she talks in Creole not caring that she has been spoken to in
Standard English. This also demonstrates that Creole is her first language.

Both elements contribute to the essence of the story since they show the different uses of
registers and the attitudes of individuals towards those specific languages. They both help to
show the way people in society views teenage pregnancy.

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