Speech acts: Constative and performative - Colleen Glenney Boggs #4

Advice On Academic Writing #2

Advise on a cademix wirtinh from Eliana Martin

#3 Similar meaning but different feelings evoked

The aim of the video How did English evolve?  is to explain us how two phrases that are similar in meaning  can evoke such different feelings  regarding not only the context in which those phrases are likely to be said but also the people who say them.  Both Hearty welcome and Cordial reception are suggested to explain the matter in hand

Hearty welcome is a phrase composed of two angle Saxon words, or ancient English, which was the language of the peasantry. Therefore, when listening to the phrase “They gave us a hearty welcome” it is feasible to imagine an earthy scene where relatives are hugging each other, talking loudly and drinking beer.

 Cordial reception is a phrase composed of two words that derive from French, a language related to the nobility and aristocracy. Hence, when listening to the phrase “They gave us a cordial reception” it is likely to picture more refined people, drinking wine and eating caviar.

This is no coincidence; the connotation of peasantry has persisted closely near Saxon words whereas the connotation of royalty and aristocracy closely near words of French origin and, even if we are not acquainted with the history or the origins of the words we can still picture the same images.

Video from website. (nd) How did english evolve?.TED ed lessons worth sharing. www.ed.ted.com

¿Cómo evolucionó el inglés? - Kate Gardoqui

#1