Unit EQUnit EQHow does How does realismrealism reflect reflect

cultural beliefs, expectations cultural beliefs, expectations and changes? and changes?

Mark Twain’s Mark Twain’s LanguageLanguage

? ?

BrainstormBrainstorm• Think of some words that are

pronounced differently or have different meanings in different places. For example, oil. OR For example, Full Stop (England) OR Period (US) (.).

Quick Language QuizQuick Language Quiz• People who live in the same part of

the country develop their own ways of speaking or dialects. Dialects differ from each other mainly in pronunciation and in words used for everyday things.

• Number 1-10 on a blank sheet of paper to take this quiz.

Would you call an animal with Would you call an animal with a strong smell a…a strong smell a…

– Polecat (3)– Skunk (2)

• Write the number next to your number 1

A round cake fried in a pan A round cake fried in a pan is ais a

– Batter cake (3)– Flannel cake (2)– Griddle cake (1)– Pancake (0)

• Write the number next to your number 2

Fill in the blankFill in the blankThat’s _________ across the That’s _________ across the

river. river. – Plumb (3)– Clean (2)– Clear (1)

• Write the number next to your number 3

Fill in the blankFill in the blankI’ll be sick______________.I’ll be sick______________.

– At my stomach (3)– To my stomach (1)

• Write the number next to your number 4

Greasy is pronouncedGreasy is pronounced– Grēz’•ē ٜ(3)– Grēs’•ē (1)

• Write the number next to your number 5

Fifteen minutes before ten Fifteen minutes before ten is…is…

– Quarter till ten (3)– Quarter to ten (2)– Quarter of ten (1)

• Write the number next to your number 6

The title Mrs. Sounds like…The title Mrs. Sounds like…– miz’əz (3)– mis’ez (1)

• Write the number next to your number 7

An insect that glows at night An insect that glows at night is…is…

– June bug (3)– Lightening bug (2)– Firefly (1)

• Write the number next to your number 8

A metal container that carries A metal container that carries water is…water is…

– bucket (3)– pail (1)

• Write the number next to your number 9

An ear of corn as…An ear of corn as…– shucks (3)– husks (1)

• Write the number next to your number 10

Now, add up your all your Now, add up your all your numbers so you get a total. numbers so you get a total.

• If your score is 15 points or fewer, your dialect is basically northern

• If your score is between 16 and 23 your dialect in the Midlands

• If your score is 24 or higher your dialect comes from the South.

• Crazy eh?

Language helps shape you into Language helps shape you into the person you are. the person you are.

• G’day, Mate!• Howdy, Partner!• Aloha, Makamaka!

Mark Twain realized this early on in his Mark Twain realized this early on in his writing and used it to create a writing and used it to create a realisticrealistic

style that is relatable to how people style that is relatable to how people really communicatereally communicate

• Instead of using the formal language that is barely recognizable to the average person, Twain used language that is familiar and recognizable. He wrote just as one would speak. Sounds simple, right? Not so much.

The Confusion FactorThe Confusion Factor• Because we are not used to seeing

our conversations in print, when we read this language, it is difficult to decipher. We must always remember that it is the sounds that are important, not necessarily the grammar and spelling.

Twain’s Language Twain’s Language TechniqueTechnique

• Colloquial Language: The everyday language we use in conversation. It is sometimes ungrammatical, and it may contain slang words and phrases. It varies from place to place and among ethnic groups.

• Dialect: the way of speaking and writing that is particular to

a specific region of the country. Every dialect differs from every other dialect in the details of its vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation. Writers often use dialect to make their characters seem realistic.

• Regionalism: Words or phrases peculiar to a particular region. In literature regionalism is the tendency among certain authors to write about specific geographical areas. Regional writers present the distinct culture of an area, including its speech, customs, beliefs and history.

The “incorrectness” is actually The “incorrectness” is actually correct. correct.

• You don’t know about me without you have read a book by the name of The Adventures of Tom Sawyer; but that ain’t no matter. That book was made by Mr. Mark Twain, and he told the truth, mainly. There was things which he stretched, but mainly he told to truth (Twain 3).

You do not know about me if you have not read The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, but that does not matter. That book was written by Mark Twain, and most of it was true, even though there may have been a few made up parts as well.

ReflectReflect1. Why would Twain use this language

rather than using formal language? 2. How does colloquialisms/regional

dialect make the reading “down to earth” and “like water,” meant for everyone?

Mark Twain & Mark Twain & HumorHumor

The Notorious Jumping The Notorious Jumping Frog of Calaveras CountyFrog of Calaveras County

Elements of HumorElements of Humor• Exaggeration: To represent as greater than is

actually the case; overstate • Hyperbole: Extreme exaggeration• Irony

– Verbal: saying the opposite of what is meant.– Situation: the opposite of what is expected to happen

occurs– Dramatic: you know something the character doesn’t

• Dialect: regional or social variety of a language distinguished by pronunciation, grammar, or vocabulary, especially a variety of speech differing from the standard literary language or speech pattern of the culture in which it exists

• Understatement:a statement that is restrained in ironic contrast to what might have been said – Meiosis: understatement for rhetorical effect (especially

when expressing an affirmative by negating its contrary); "saying `I was not a little upset' when you mean `I was very upset'

• Parody: Mocking an original work

Interpret the following Interpret the following passagepassage

• by putting it in your own words. Underline the words or phrases that add to the regional dialect.

……he ‘peared surprised, and then he ‘peared surprised, and then he looked sorter discouraged-he looked sorter discouraged-like, and didn’t try no more to like, and didn’t try no more to

win the fight, and so he got win the fight, and so he got shucked out bad.shucked out bad.

Interpreting dialect:Interpreting dialect:

Regional Regional DialectDialect

St. LooeySt. Looey ChawChaw YallerYaller bannannerbannanner thish-yerthish-yer

Standard Standard EnglishEnglish

What do each of these terms in What do each of these terms in regional dialect mean in Standard regional dialect mean in Standard English? Copy and complete the chart English? Copy and complete the chart in your notes. Prepare to be called in your notes. Prepare to be called on. You may use your book as a guide on. You may use your book as a guide to find the context of the word. to find the context of the word.

StructureStructure• Envelope/frame narrative

Round 1Round 1• Follow along as we read “The

Notorious Jumping Frog of Calaveras County”

• Complete the frame structure worksheet in your packet

Round 2: Draft a thesisRound 2: Draft a thesis• Write a thesis statement answering

the following Essential question: – What elements of humor are most

effective in “The Notorious Jumping Frog of Calaveras County”?

Elements of HumorElements of Humor• Exaggeration: To represent as greater than is

actually the case; overstate • Hyperbole: Extreme exaggeration• Irony

– Verbal: saying the opposite of what is meant.– Situation: the opposite of what is expected to happen

occurs– Dramatic: you know something the character doesn’t

• Dialect: regional or social variety of a language distinguished by pronunciation, grammar, or vocabulary, especially a variety of speech differing from the standard literary language or speech pattern of the culture in which it exists

• Understatement:a statement that is restrained in ironic contrast to what might have been said – Meiosis: understatement for rhetorical effect (especially

when expressing an affirmative by negating its contrary); "saying `I was not a little upset' when you mean `I was very upset'

• Parody: Mocking an original work

SAMPLESAMPLE• ExaggerationExaggeration, ironyirony and dialectdialect

are the most effective elements of humor in “The Notorious Jumping Frog of Calaveras County”.

Round 3: Interpret and Round 3: Interpret and supportsupport

• List specific examples from the story that support your thesis. You may use a bullet format.

• Ideally you should make approximately 3-4 claims that have 2-3 pieces of evidence to support them.

SampleSampleClaim about

the story

Evidence to support the claim

Examples, quotes, textual references

Explanation of example

The dialect of “The Notorious Jumping Frog of Calaveras County” adds humor

“he was the curiousest man about always betting on anything that turned up you ever see”

This quote refers to Jim Smiley’s love for betting. Smiley bet on anything for the thrill of betting and sheer intoxication of competition. This adds humor because his speech is not what you would expect from a great literary piece.