Smurf vs. Smurf
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School
Eastfield College *
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Course
1301
Subject
Linguistics
Date
Feb 20, 2024
Type
docx
Pages
2
Uploaded by kirawise78
SmurfShop Sociolinguistics
1.
Which Smurf seems to be the most prescriptive of the bunch? Which is the most descriptive? Defend your response.
In the story "Smurf Versus Smurf," Green Smurf is the prescriptive Smurf because he is stubborn
about expectations and regulations, which leads to conflict. He is the one advocating for a certain
course of action. Smurf Green is the descriptive one because he is more easygoing, adaptable, and willing to try new things. He is the Smurf who is more interested in watching and making adjustments in accordance with the situation than in strictly following the rules.
2.
We know from class that all languages and dialects are rule-governed. Do you see any apparent rules to the Southern Smurf dialect? How about Northern Smurf? State the rule(s) and then give examples of words/phrases that seem to follow these rules.
Smurfs that live in the northern part of the village use it as a verb as in "bottle smurfer", while the southerners use it as a noun as in "smurf opener". Northern Smurfs prefer innovative and creative names that emphasize the action or process involved in smurfing this could be considered a form of derivation or compounding.
Southern Smurfs prefer concrete and descriptive names for objects, avoiding more abstract or action-oriented uses this rule involves the selection of terms that provide clear and specific references to objects.
3.
On page 22, a Smurf is stopped when crossing the border between North and South. He is
asked how to pronounce a word in order to be able to cross to the other side. Research the
term shibboleth
and explain how it is relevant to this part of the Smurf story. What is the history behind the term shibboleth
? List the links of the Internet sites you used to answer this question.
The Hebrew word shidboleth means "ear of corn" or "flood." The word was employed as a password in a Biblical story, allowing you to determine who belonged in your group and who didn't. It still conveys the idea of designating a person as a group member.
Similar linguistic distinctions or variances among the Smurfs are highlighted by the term "shibboleth" in Smurf Versus Smurf.
4.
How does each dialect try to defend its own "correctness"? Does one of the dialects—
Northern Smurf or Southern Smurf—appear to be more prestigious than the other? Can you make a case that one seems to be the "standard" and the other one seems to be "nonstandard"? Why or why not?
Northern Smurfs might perceive their usage as more prestigious, considering it a mark of creativity and forward-thinking. They may view themselves as trendsetters, contributing to the evolution of the Smurf language. Southern Smurfs could argue that their usage adheres to traditional language norms, representing stability and clarity. They may see themselves as preserving the purity of the Smurf language.
Citation:
Shibboleth - definition, meaning & synonyms
. Vocabulary.com. (n.d.). https://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/shibboleth#:~:text=Shibboleth%20is%20a
%20Hebrew%20word,a%20member%20of%20a%20group.
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