Exploring the English Language

Activity

An opportunity to study some of the many varieties of English.

We use written texts, sound recordings and especially members’ own experience, to discuss how language changes over time and in different contexts.

Some examples of topics covered in previous meetings are given below.

Where and When
Venue: Tesco Community Room, 203 Park Road, Shelthorpe, Loughborough, LE11 2EX
Frequency: Monthly
Day: 4th Tuesday
Time: 10:00 am to 12 noon

Other Information

Group Charge: no charge
Group Size: 20

Contact Details

Group Leader: Pam Upton
Telephone: See Members Area
Email: ETHEL@charnwoodu3a.org.uk

ETHEL - Zoom Meetings August and September

Tues 24th August, 10 am: ETHEL, and
Tues 22nd September

Effle duz spellin

ETHEL - March Zoom Meeting

Tues 22nd March, 1:30 pm
Topic: Having Fun with the English Language.

An opportunity to discuss some of the many varieties and uses of English. Past topics have included English dialects, plain English and gobbledegook, British Sign Language, Political speeches and English spelling. We encourage members to suggest topics that interest them and offers to present sessions are very welcome.

ETHEL - Zoom Meeting

Tues 22nd July, 10 am: ETHEL,

ETHEL goes Stateside where we will explore American English

ETHEL - Next Zoom Meeting

Tues 22nd June, 10 am: ETHEL,

Too easily beguiled by the antics of the landed gentry in ‘Pursuit of
Love’, ETHEL is preparing to tackle the delicate question of U and nonU English and whether it still matters. The group will debate toilet v. lavatory, lounge v. sitting room, what v. pardon and other examples of linguistic etiquette. Now Ethel is off to learn how to talk posh.

ETHEL - May Zoom Meeting

Tuesday 25th May, 10 am: ETHEL,
'Jargon'

when we plan to look at examples of occupational/sport/hobbies jargon. Do you know a Canadian Bacon from a Beef Carpaccio (and we're not talking food!)?

ETHEL - April Zoom Meeting

Tues 27th April, 10 am: ETHEL,

Translating English into BSL (British Sign Language)
Speaker - Helen Hamston

ETHEL - March Zoom Meeting

Tuesday 23rd March, 10 am: ETHEL,
'More Gobbledegook'

Ethel’s erudite and effervescent coterie of linguistic cognoscenti foregathered on their virtual conferencing platform to cogitate conjointly on the convoluted circumlocutions of gibberish, hogwash, bunkum and baloney.

The term was coined by Texan lawyer Maury Maverick and was apparently inspired by the sight of a turkey ‘always gobbledy gobbling and strutting with ludicrous pomposity’.

I’m sure Ethel has not been the only one gobbledy gobbling during lockdown, but she can’t resist a bit more ludicrous pomposity, so next time the group will be sharing some more examples, before considering what constitutes ‘plain English’. Then Ethel can stop talking like Leonard Sachs of the Good Old Days – and put the Thesaurus back on the shelf!

ETHEL - Feb Zoom Meeting

Tues 23rd February, 10 am: ETHEL,

'Gobbledegook'

The group will be looking and laughing and probably groaning at examples of official gobbledygook, aka: gibberish, claptrap, bilge, bosh and baloney.