Pulling Out All the Stops: Referee Design and Phonetic Correlates of Gay Men’s English

Studies of intraspeaker variation and the linguistic indexing of sexual identity have formed an important part of recent research in variationist sociolinguistics. This study investigates patterns of word-final stop release in the speech of a flamboyantly gay television host, Graham Norton. The results indicate a significant correlation between the rate of released word-final stops and the sexual orientation of an absent referee, as defined by Bell (1984, 2001), with a higher proportion of released stops for gay-identified referees. We argue that this pattern demonstrates the linguistic indexing of an ingroup identity, which Norton shares with referees who identify as gay. In this way, the variable of word-final stop release can be considered a ‘building block’ (Barrett 2002:33) in the construction of Norton's sexual identity

Dey hae a reffelled hesp ta redd

The Shetland dialect is a unique and fascinating dialect, quite unlike many other English dialects. The use of the Shetland dialect has changed considerably over time and a great deal of linguistic research has been undertaken on the changes and its current use. What we are unaware of is if topic has an affect on the use of dialect features by speakers. This paper analyses the use of Shetland dialect features, specifically word initial TH-stopping and production of Shetland dialect lexemes in interview situations (covering a number of different topics). The analysis reveals that an increased rate of use of the considered dialect features is significant when a topic has a relation to Shetland. The effect of topic is analysed from the view that the dialect features can be used to create or maintain a Shetland identity. Also found from the data is the reduced use of dialect features than might be expected of the speakers and this data is analysed through theories of dialect obsolescence

The use of the Psalms in 1 Peter : an exegetical and hermeneutical study

PhD (New Testament), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014advancements in Old Testament and New Testament Studies. For example, new knowledge is available on the variant versions of the Septuagint and application of the literary concept of intertextuality has yielded significant results in recent biblical scholarship. However, considering that 1 Peter arguably uses the Old Testament in the most condensed manner of all the New Testament writings, it is surprising that relatively few recent studies have been carried out on the use of the Old Testament in 1 Peter. As a partial corrective to this situation, this in-depth study is focused on the use of the Psalms in 1 Peter, utilizing an integrated hermeneutical procedure that combines traditional grammatical-historical analysis with the state of the art on New Testament use of the Old Testament. The aim is to clarify the hermeneutical implications of the use of the Psalms in 1 Peter for Old Testament and New Testament exegesis within the Reformed tradition today. Thus, a comprehensive exegetical approach is systematically applied to each pericope of 1 Peter and to every relevant Psalm passage in order to establish a valid foundation for understanding how the author interprets the Psalms and how the Psalm references function within the argument of 1 Peter. In addition, intertextual resonance is considered as an effective means to enhance understanding of the function and effect of Psalm references as intended by the author, and to determine the possible unintended effect of Psalm references upon the addressees and later readers. Furthermore, consideration of reader response sometimes makes it possible to identify echoes of Psalm passages not likely intended by the author, but nevertheless, very likely to have come to the minds of the recipients with significant effect. One conclusion of this study is that there is no compelling evidence that the author’s interpretation of the Psalms ignored the intended meaning of the Psalm in its own context, or merely reflected contemporary Second Temple interpretations. Furthermore, it has been possible to refine the criteria for identifying and classifying Psalm allusions rather than merely following broad, predetermined criteria. Thus, a distinction is made between specific allusion, in which case the author’s argument depends upon recognition of specific Psalm passages, and general allusion, in which case the author’s argument depends upon a concept recognizably derived from the Psalms but not limited by the wording of specific references. This study also demonstrates that the use of the Psalms in 1 Peter is based upon a strong sense of solidarity with believers of the past, especially as they expressed their responses to God in the context of suffering. In particular, compared with other New Testament writings, 1 Peter stands out for the fact that the majority of its Psalm allusions are used for the purpose of developing and reapplying significant themes. Thus, 1 Peter provides compelling reason for present-day interpreters to view theme development as a valid and effective way to apply the Psalms to the circumstances of Christian believers as they face the challenge of living faithfully in new contexts of suffering and persecution.Doctora

The return from exile in the biblical theology of Isaiah = Die terugkeer uit ballingskap in die bybelse teologie van Jesaja

Thesis (M.A. (Old Testament))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2005.Biblical scholars frequently recognize the association of the return from exile with the themes of creation and redemption in Isaiah, and in the Prophets generally. However, since the publication of von Rad's article, "The theological problem of the Old Testament doctrine of creation" (1936), the focus of modern biblical scholarship has been, almost exclusively, on the relationship between creation and exodus typology (the new exodus) and not on the return from exile itself as a biblical theological theme. Therefore, the aim of this study is to carry out a thorough investigation of the biblical theological significance of the return from exile in Isaiah. Our main objective is to demonstrate that there is a significant, unifying explanation of the association of the return from exile with the themes of creation and redemption. From our survey of the return from exile in modern biblical scholarship, we find that, generally, scholars explain the linking of the return from exile with the themes of creation and redemption, just as a means of assuring the exiles that the LORD will redeem them again, and will do so in a more glorious way than in the exodus. The bulk of this paper is taken up with a grammatical-historical and biblical theological analysis of the book of Isaiah in order to identify the biblical theological themes associated with the return from exile. Subsequently, we show that in Isaiah the return from exile plays an increasingly significant role as a type of the greater, spiritual and eschatological redemption. From this footing, our thesis is substantiated and defended by comparing the biblical data and our findings with the explanations given by other scholars. Thus, we conclude that the return from exile is itself a type of redemption by new creation pointing to a greater, spiritual and eschatological "return from exile," accomplished in Christ.Master