Local lingo


The way we speak can convey a great deal of information about us, such as where we are from and our age. The following poem shows how language, and the way it is used by young people, can concern their teachers.


We R kewl! By Ingrid Barnsley Alot of us have got


A problem with our spelling – vrot! We sms We mXit stax Our standards have become quite lax


We muddle words with ie ei Our teachers gasp and screem “Ay ya yai!” We double consonants when the vowel is long We’re not quite sure where suffixes belong! What to do? What’s the truth?


The problems of the modern youth! Read and analyse the poem


1 Look at the poem above and correct two spelling errors. 2 Identify the Afrikaans word in the poem, and replace it with a suitable English synonym.


3 Write out sms in full. 4 Suggest a more formal version of stax. 5 Quote an interjection from the poem. 6 Quote the famous English rhyme to remember when to use “ie” and “ei”.


7 When you add a suffix and the vowel sound is short, what should you do to the consonants?


8 When you add a suffix and the vowel sound is long, what should you do with the silent “e”?


9 How would you describe the message of this poem? 10 What is the register of the title?


Become multilingual


There will be an international sporting event in South Africa. You have been asked to compile a pamphlet with 10 local words and their meanings. Create the pamphlet.


198 5


10


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