Comparing the Language Registers: Analyzing the Formality Divide Between Educational Mission Statements and Casual Phone Conversations

Question: TEXT A 5. 10 15 CHANGE THE WORLD 1. The motto of Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University is: “Change the World”, a noble mission inspired by the famous statement, Nelson Mandela that “education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world”. For, “it is through education that the daughter of a peasant can become a doctor, that the son of a mineworker can become the head of a mine, that the child of farm workers can become the president of a great nation”. 2. True to the legacy of Nelson Mandela, this University is also a value- driven institution where social justice and equality are paramount in the endeavour to rectify the inequalities in our world. The African philosophy of “ubuntu” underpins what you aim for and do as an institution. 3. Like all universities the world over, in line with your values, you had to quickly adapt in the face of the pandemic to offer your twenty-nine thousand or more students online and mask-to-mask tuition. This has not been easy for you, especially given the gap in content knowledge between those who are privileged to have access to data, devices, and internet and those who do not. Source: Adapted from www.mandela.ac.za 2. Read the following transcription of a telephone conversation, (TEXT B) and answer the question that follows. TEXT B Telephone conversation Jakie: Hey Sbo! Just saw your missed call, what’s up? Sibonelo: Was just checking if you’re up for the soccer practice this afternoon. Jakie: I can’t go bro, I’m feeling a bit under the weather. I have to take some meds and sleep. Sibonelo: Ohh! Sorry bro; will tell the coach. Cheers! Source: Own creativity Refer to both TEXT A and TEXT B Discuss the differences in the register used in TEXT A and Text B? Cite examples from the two texts to support your answer. (6)