The style here is pretty obvious. The fast instrumentation and aggressive lyricism place the band squarely in the realm of punk rock. Further, the demanding tone of the refrain mimics the standard for the music. The band also uses common themes of "conflict," "descent" the "hatred of authority," and constant use of the f-word to show themselves as belonging to the genre. References to "Duane" Peters from the band U.S.Bombs and "Fletcher" Dragge from the band Pennywise demonstrate the bands connection to their genre. With these connections made through the language and music, the band shows itself as intimately acquainted with the genre in which it speaks, and the public in which that genre exists.
At this point in the semester, I am sure that you are all familiar with how language unites people together (while excluding other people). However, Warner goes beyond this point in this section to show that the language used not only references established relationships but also creates these relationships. According to Warner, "styles are mobilized, but they are also framed as styles. Sometimes the framing is hierarchical, a relation between marked and unmarked. Sometimes the result can be more relativizing. Quite commonly the result can be a double voiced hybrid" (108). In this section illuminates that these objects of language use can be used either in a manner to show who is included and who is not, to invite those not included into the fold, or to simultaneously do both of these things. The song "Punk Rock Song" from the band Bad Religion on their 1996 album The Gray Race illustrates this point rather well.
This song simultaneously creates a binary between those who "can see somethings wrong," which seems to mean people who listen to punk, and those "small in vision and perspective" who are characterized as "robots" and "insects." There is an obvious distinction created by those in the know and those who are out of the loop. However, the lead singer uses the word "we" to invite the listener into the punk community. He offers to save them from what he has characterized as a lesser existence and into what he has characterized as a morally superior public conversation. In short, the song creates (1) an "us" verses "them" hierarchy (2) a way for people in the genre to understand themselves as united to the band, and (3) an invitation for others in the audience to join the community.
Of course, sometimes using this type of "vernacular performance" can go too far and make the speaker seem ridiculous. As Warner shows, "Too obvious parroting of a catchphrase . . . can mark you in some contexts as a square, unhip, a passive relay in the circulation" (102). The song "Punk Rock Girl" by the Dead Milkmen off of their 1988 album Beelzebubba demonstrates how one can become ridiculous when they get too excited about this type of performance.
While I believe that the song is meant to be satirical, it illustrates how the over reliance on themes such as shouting anarchy, slam dancing, and a devotion to obscure music seem ridiculous if over discussed, done at inappropriate times, or done simply for the sake of being able to talk about it later.
My question to you is whether or not these principles of "vernacular performance" manifest themselves in the academic essay. Here are some points for consideration:
- Does academic language create a heirarchical structure, a relativising structure or a double voiced hybrid?
- Can academic language make someone seem ridiculous either to others in the academic audience or to a regular audience?
Personally as an author and reader I do think that the academic journals, articles, or essays can have a heirarchial structure to the voice that is being presented. The academic essays that are written have an expressed language that can be difficult or new to sub publics with in the mass public. In some articles they could be extremely informative and useful for an individual who either knows the material or the language discussing the subject. If there is a double voiced hybrid, that can make it more challenging for the academic essay to be successful in reaching the reader. Individuals in the mass public might find the language tedious, too compicated, too repetitive, or even too obvious (overt) like shown in the last video. Yes I think that a writter can sound rediculous in numerous ways. This might not seem adequate from the author's perspective, however, if the reader is looking for specifics and the language is complicated and "cluttered" the reader then becomes aggervated. It can also go both ways if the language is too vague and blunt the public might feels as though it was a complete waste of their time.
ReplyDeleteAcademic essays often make use of “vernacular performance”, they must in order to stay true to their generic rules. The use of specific language that belongs to the world of academia is one of the main aspects of an academic essay that makes it such. The trouble is that yes, this language can sometimes create a barrier or limit to an audience. Because of this there is most definitely a hierarchal structure that makes academic essays more understandable and, often, therefore more meaningful to a selective audience of people who fall into the academic realm of culture. I believe if an author can achieve somewhat of a “double voiced hybrid” form of an academic essay, which encourages those who are not a part of academic society to become part of the audience, then this essay would be more successful, generally speaking.
ReplyDeleteIt is very easy for writers to fall into the trap of using academic language without justifying its use or using it just plain inappropriately. Everyone always wants to appear intelligent and often “big words” are thought of to be a sign of intelligence, but when they are overused or misplaced in an essay they have the opposite effect on a paper, making it seem ridiculous. This is especially obvious to an academic audience, because they are aware of how these certain terms are supposed to be used, but it is also apparent to average audience members because often these pieces of language will seem out of place and unlike the author’s true voice.
The principles of vernacular performance are definitely found in an academic essay. As a part of the academic, it has structure and rules that must be followed to be included in the academic public. This obviously then creates a hierarchy because there will be people with little or no education who don't understand the purpose of the structure of the essay, and most importantly, the jargon. Depending on the topic, the diction alone can very quickly separate the intended public and the mass public. Similarly though, I believe that there is a point when an author can get carried away. It's easy to get too wordy and adopt a vocabulary that is completely unrelated to the author's actual voice, like Gabby mentioned. It's definitely important to be careful not to stray from your (as the author) original intention of the paper. Without the individual author's voice, we create a bigger problem of losing our original idea and repeating what's already been said which is another thing in it's entirety. However, finding a balance of voice and appropriate diction can create a double voiced hybrid which would present some challenges, yes, but it can be done.
ReplyDeleteThe vernacular used in the academic essay definitely creates a hierarchical structure. Being a part of the academic public requires a higher level of understanding of the English language. Those just learning English will have great difficulty trying to understand what's being said in the academic essay because of its vernacular. This separates these people from those who can effectively communicate in this public, creating a hierarchy. Though seemingly acceptable at times, excessive use of the academic vernacular can however certainly result in ridiculousness in its form as an utterance. The previous sentence is my attempt at expressing a ridiculous sentence while overusing an academic vernacular. It sounds ridiculous! In my opinion, ridiculous to those both in and out of the academic public.
ReplyDeleteI believe that the "vernacular performance" of the academic essay does effect the public which it is addressing. The language of the utterance is going to essentially change how the utterance comes off to a certain public. This can also create a heirarchical structure within the mass public. Not everyone in the mass public can understand the jargon of every text that is in existence. This sets apart those who will understand an utterance from those who do not which will create a hierarchy. In all of the videos posted for example, those watching who are not familiar with punk rock jargon or even the style of the videos will not understand the message of the videos compared to someone who is familiar with the jargon and style. As for the academic essay goes, when these utterances use big words that not everyone can fully grasp, it loses its message for those individuals which in a since shield them from the message of the utterance.
ReplyDeleteI believe that a hierarchy is definitely present as a result of the vernacular performance. The vernacular in the academic essay is what makes it hard for someone that isn’t educated to a higher degree of the english language to understand the essay. The bottom line is that a higher level of the english language is essential to be a part of the english language in the first place. The vernacular has to be used sparingly however, because an over-use of it can obviously make someone look ridiculous. And I’m sure that the ridiculousness can be observed by both the academic and regular audience. As for the hierarchy, it is created because the discrepancy of understanding the vernacular in the public creates a gap in the public.
ReplyDeleteI believe that academic language does create a hierarchy because if someone is not a part of the academic public then they will not fully understand the language that is being used. When an academic essay is written it is going to use terms that are of the academic public and one must be educated to fully understand such terms. Typically academic works will discuss topics of higher thinking and these concepts are not always so easily understood. Therefore, eliminating people that do not understand the comments. I think that academic language can make someone look ridiculous if they are over analyzing it or trying to hard to use academic language. For example, when someone is writing an academic essay and they try to use a broad vocabulary without fully knowing what those words mean they can look very foolish. I think the academic public has a broad language that only certain people can fit into like any other public.
ReplyDeleteAcademic language can create a hierarchical structure. If one is not fluent in elevated language, the message can go over their head. They can also feel like the author is being condescending and trying to make them feel inferior by using bigger and complex words.
ReplyDeleteAcademic language can make someone sound ridiculous to the mass public. Since most people don't speak that way on a daily basis, the author can look weird and come off as a smart-alack. If an author misuses academic language, they can appear ridiculous to others in the academic audience. If the language is used correctly, their academic audience will have a more positive response.
Echoing the sentiment by the people who have answered before me, yes the language used in academic essays and settings creates a hierarchical structure. I talk about this every time we discuss accessibility of academic work to the mass public, but this academic language use is a double edged sword. It allows an author to adhere to generic conventions and be seen as legitimate to the academic public they are speaking to, but it can also limit who can read it because of how specific language, or jargon, can become. This specificity can also be a slippery slope where an author can get carried away and lose their voice within their writing and be bogged down under an overuse of jargon or academic language. Though it may be more work, finding an appropriate balance of voice and diction can create a double voiced hybrid that could make the reach of an academic essay into the mass public go farther.
ReplyDeleteI think academic language can create a hierarchical structure. It usually focuses on a certain topic and is written to a specific audience. If the academic writing is geared towards doctors and has certain terminology, then only that public and that audience will be able to understand and relate.
ReplyDeleteI think the language of an academic text can be so in depth and in detail that it makes the writer sound ridiculous to the mass public. They may not understand what they are writing about and their language may seem too above their understanding. I think that if the writer over exaggerates or over exhausts a certain point, they can seem ridiculous to anyone who views their text.
I would say that academic language creates a heirarichal structure because those people who write about something are supposed to have a great knowledge on the topic as opposed to someone who isn't a scholar writing about the same thing. Also because when we are doing research, we are told to only look at academic articles and pretty much disregard anyting else which makes a heirarichal structure. Vinacular performances are found in the academic articles becuase without the use of certain language and style, works might not be concidered scholarly. However, the author has to be careful with their word choices and venacular because if they seem that they are just saying specific things to match the jargon, people are going to notice and find it rediculous. People in the academic word and in the mass public will both probably be able to notice if an author is spitting out phrases that are common among other scholarly works. The author can not force their jargon, they have to really be in that public and understand it to write a good and acceptable piece.
ReplyDeleteI beleive the academic language does create a heirarchical structure. If an individual is not as educated as others the academic language can totally by pass them and they might not understand anything.If one is not part of the academic public they will have no interest in the topic being said and will therefore not even take the time to understand what is being said either.
ReplyDeleteAcademic language can very much make someone seem ridiulous to the outside audience. Academic language is very specific and is only used in the academic public. So to an outsider they sound too smart and sometimes if someone is really uneducated they sound like they can be speaking a different language. I think they probably sound just fine in the academic audience because most people in the academic audience use academic language. Only to a normal audience do the scholars using academic language sound ridiculous.
In my personal opinion i think that the academic language does create a huge barrier. For example if someone is not apart of that specific public than they will not understand the language they re speaking. You need some kind of background knowledge of academic language to know what the people are even talking about. They are typically used to express their theories on different subjects,and are typically spoken with a very high educated language which i know can be very hard to understand for most people. I think that for you to write in Academic Language you need to be able to know what you are talking about. For example sometime i know when i write my papers I right click a word im using for the synonym, and half the time i don't even know what the big words that im using are. So yes I think that Academic language is a great thing however you need to know what you are talking about before you try to talk as highly as them.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion the academic language creates somewhat of a hierarchical structure in the sense that we are slightly excluding some people. People that aren't as aware of the public we are talking about. I think the language does make it this way in a sense, especially if the text alone excludes certain people then the language sort of tops it off. I think that there is a limit on academic language in the sense that you don't want to look like a fool when trying to fit in too hard. As an example, by using vocabulary that doesn't neccesarilly fit. However, you do need to use some sort of academic language to appeal to the academic crowd you are trying to fit in. I think there definitely needs to be a happy medium. I think to a regular audience though, all of it may seem over the top. If it is way more advanced than the audiences natural language. So I feel like unless you can meet that happy medium you are going to make it over the top for some audience. Whether its the academic audience or everyday audience.
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