Exam tasks part one Inernational English 26.02.16 Therese and Torstein
Task 1a
In the text “Up Helly Aa” there are used different types of language features, e.g. alliteration, hyperbole, pathos, imagery and informal language. They use all these language features to convince us to spend a vacation in Scotland, and experience the festival, “Up Helly Aa”.
Hyperbole and pathos have some of the same impact on the reader, they both exaggerate and describe the situation in details, for instance, in the text they guarantee us that we will have a great trip and they describe how it will be and what will happen. Also they use alliteration, when several words in a row, start with the same first consonant or sound group, as a way to formulate their text, for example; “we can tell you that Scotland is exciting, exquisite and enjoyable holiday destination.” The Adjectives they use in the text are positive, and are describing Scotland in a positive way. Another language feature they use is imagery, where they get you to paint a picture of how things are through their words, this language feature is used all over the text, e.g. when they say that at the end of the ceremony there will be a spectacular torchlight procession and the burning of a replica Viking ship. When you read this you get an image in your head that this is extraordinary and special. Lastly they use an informal language to connect with the reader. For example when they write; “Scotland is the country we know you’ll want to visit.’’
Task 1b
The positive things about borrowing Anglo-American customs as Halloween, are that we can cherish and share traditions with other cultures. We also learn about other cultures and how they celebrate their holidays.In addition we get to see the differences between our own traditions relative to others, and how we might celebrate the same holidays and traditions in different ways.Cultural relativism is something we can connect to this, it means to not dismiss or condemn other cultures simply because they are different than from your own.
The reason why some maybe think that this is a bad thing, can be that they feel that we may lose or forget our own traditions if we only take from others or that we might not develop something new for us. Also, traditions are something that makes our county to our own country, and if we just take traditions from others we aren't that special anymore. We do not cherish our ancestors’ traditions and celebrations. I do not mean this in an ethnocentric way, but rather to show the importance of keeping traditions. Ethnocentric means that you view the world as if your culture is in the middle.
