Language Change: Beeton and Moran Comparison

By reference to both texts (J and K) and to ideas from language study, describe and comment on what these texts show about language change over time.

	Text J	Text K
Form	Preface for a book Formally written and advisory tone	Back Cover of a book  Form of advertisement  Humorously written
Audience	Married Women	Adult Women
Purpose	To advise and influence To introduce the book  Introduce the authorial voice	Introducing authorial voice  Setting the tone  To encourage people to buy the book
Comparable Factors	Audience Purpose?
Contrasting Factors	Use of Humour Use of second person inclusive pronouns Use of interrogatives
Interesting Factors	Sapir Whorf Use of Antithesis

When comparing texts J and K, it is interesting to consider the differences in audience and purpose. The nature of the texts suggests that the primary audience is women for both texts, however text K endorses a feminist view, whereas text J reflects a very patriarchal view. Of course, we can assume that the most influential factor in such contrasting viewpoints, and language, is the advancements made in equality between the sexes that has occurred between 1861 and 2011. In terms of purpose, both are introducing the authorial voice and setting the tone for the book to which it is attached. Text K, however, does act as a form of advertisement as many would consider the back of the book as a way to capture the attention of the reader, encouraging them to buy the book. This may mean it uses language with a more persuasive implication, although it does seem to use open discussion to explore ideas that, we can assume, will be discussed later in the book. In contrast to this, text J seems to adopt an advisory, informative tone, as well as introducing the subject matter for the book.

One theory that does seem particularly relevant when comparing texts J and K is the Sapir Whorf hypothesis. Beeton’s ‘Book of Household Management,’ is a particularly strong example of this. Despite this book emphasising the importance of a woman’s work within the house, ‘household management,’ may provoke more positive connotations. It does seem to create an air of professionalism, which does not seem dissimilar to the wave of political correctness that emerged in the 1980s. Using terms that have greater prestige, rather than lexis that may have pejorated seems to apply here, despite this text having been written in the 19^th century. Within text K, we also see the importance of the Sapir Whorf theory with the use of the noun ‘rant.’ When Moran uses the phrase ‘part memoir, part rant,’ it is used in a humorous tone, despite the term ‘rant’ having negative connotations. Perhaps ‘rant’ suggests that there is a trivial nature to some aspects of the book, however, it also shows that the book is subjective and one of opinion. This technique will aid the exercising of influential power through persuasion, as it highlights Caitlin Moran’s opinions to be the centre of the book’s discussion.         

Perhaps one of the most interesting features of Text J is the use of antithesis. Following an animal ‘from his birth to his appearance on the table’, from ‘feeding him’ to slaying him,’ not only creates memorable contrasts, it also reveals interesting debate concerning language and gender. Interestingly, the author uses the marked male noun ‘him,’ to describe the animals we consume for meat. Although we do largely eat meat from male animals, it is not exclusive, and it almost seems to personify the animal with human characteristics. In more recent years language is often used to distance the process of killing animals for meat from the idea of death. Beeton’s matter-of-fact tone creates a sense of knowledge and authority, which will, in turn, persuade the reader to concur with this opinion. In contrast, text K seems to use synthetic personalisation to level herself with the audience, with the use of inclusive pronouns like ‘we,’ and through a witty, humorous voice. Text K states ‘we haven’t been burnt as witches since 1727,’ which uses a serious subject matter to highlight the changing role of women in society, while also being a comical touch.