ALLAMA IQBAL OPEN UNIVERSITY, ISLAMABAD
(Department of English)
WARNING
1. PLAGIARISM OR HIRING OF GHOST WRITER(S) FOR SOLVING THE
ASSIGNMENT(S) WILL DEBAR THE STUDENT FROM AWARD OF
DEGREE/CERTIFICATE, IF FOUND AT ANY STAGE.
2. SUBMITTING ASSIGNMENT(S) BORROWED OR STOLEN FROM OTHER(S) AS
ONE’S OWN WILL BE PENALIZED AS DEFINED IN “AIOU PLAGIARISM
POLICY”.
Course: Language & Culture (9059) Semester: Spring, 2025
Level: BS English
Please read the following instructions for writing your assignments. (AD, BS, BEd, MA/MSc, MEd)
(ODL Mode).
1. All questions are compulsory and carry equal marks but within a question the marks are
distributed according to its requirements.
2. Read the question carefully and then answer it according to the requirements of the questions.
3. Avoid irrelevant discussion/information and reproducing from books, study guide or allied
material.
4. Handwritten scanned assignments are not acceptable.
5. Upload your typed (in Word or PDF format) assignments on or before the due date.
6. Your own analysis and synthesis will be appreciated.
7. Late assignments can’t be uploaded at LMS.
8. The size of the file should not exceed 5MP.
Total Marks: 100 Pass Marks: 40
Assignment No. 1
(Units 1-4)
Q.1 What is meant by the terms ‘truncated repertoires’ or ‘disposable linguistic resources’?
In your response, explain these concepts in the context of language studies, focusing on
how they reflect issues related to language use, social power, and the constraints
imposed by dominant cultural or linguistic norms. Discuss how these concepts can be
applied to real-world examples in multilingual or postcolonial contexts.
(20)
Q. 2 What is understood by the term formulaic language, and how is it a carrier of culture?
Discuss how formulaic expressions—such as idioms, proverbs, and set phrases—reflect
cultural values, traditions, and societal norms. Examine how these linguistic forms are
passed down through generations and how they shape communication within specific
cultural contexts. (20)
Q. 3 Discuss the relationship between ‘identity’ and culture, and explain how ideology plays
a role in creating and shaping identity. In your analysis, explore how culture provides
the framework for individual and collective identities and how ideological forces, such
as media, politics, and historical narratives, influence and define these identities within
a given society. (15)
Q. 4 (i) How do different communicative styles represent the variation in ‘genders’? (20)
1
(ii) What is the role of media in the establishing power roles pertaining to ‘genders’?
Q. 5 What is the modern understanding of ‘culture,’ and how does the postmodernist view
differ with respect to culture, language, and communication? In your response, explain
the traditional conception of culture and contrast it with postmodernist perspectives that
question universal truths, emphasize subjectivity, and view culture as fragmented and
dynamic. Discuss how this shift impacts our understanding of language and
communication in contemporary societies. (15)
Q. 6 Explain in detail with appropriate examples from your mother tongue the significance
of mother tongue in developing identity.
(10)
Total Marks: 100 Pass Marks: 40
Assignment No. 2
(Units 5-9)
Q.1. Define politeness in relation to culture. Explore how politeness is shaped by cultural
norms and how different societies define and practice politeness in communication.
Based on the concept of politeness and culture, distinguish between ‘appropriate
behaviour’ and ‘inappropriate behaviour’ within various cultural contexts. Discuss how
these behaviours are perceived and why they may vary across different societies.
(20)
Q. 2. Define what is meant by ‘kinship’ and explain its significance in the context of
cultural studies. Discuss how kinship systems are integral to understanding social
structures and relationships within different cultures. Additionally, explore the
relationship between culture and kinship terms, considering how language reflects and
reinforces cultural values, social roles, and familial ties in various societies.
(20)
Q. 3. Explain what is meant by ‘colour patterns’ and ‘colour lexemes’. In your response,
define these terms within the context of linguistics and semiotics, discussing how
colour patterns refer to the systematic use of colours in language or cultural contexts,
and how colour lexemes are the specific words used to describe colours. Additionally,
explore how these concepts are used to convey meaning, cultural significance, or
symbolism in different languages and societies.
(20)
Q. 4. Elaborate on the statement that "human language and cognition have evolved with the
human mind thinking and knowing on the basis and with the help of the human
body." In your response, explore the relationship between language, cognition, and
the physical body, drawing on theories from cognitive linguistics and embodied
cognition. Discuss how the structure of language and cognitive processes are
influenced by bodily experiences, sensory perceptions, and physical actions, and how
this connection shapes human communication and understanding. (20)
Q. 5. Define what is meant by ‘emotional language’ and discuss its role in communication.
2
In your response, explain how emotional language is used to express feelings,
attitudes, and emotions, and how it influences interactions. Additionally, provide a list
of emotional terms commonly used in your own language and discuss how these
terms reflect cultural attitudes or societal norms related to emotions.
(20)
