Introduction: Introduce your assignment (5%)

First Portfolio Activity: (10)

Tell us about yourself, where you grew up, which languages you speak, have your idiolect and ecolect changed as you have grown up, and has geographical location made a difference to your idiolect. Provide an example of how your idiolect has changed.

Second Portfolio Activity: (25)

Go back to the Assignment 4 Discussion Forum.

1) With regard to your own submission, reflect on your initial thoughts about the misunderstanding. After developing a more profound sympathy for linguistic and cultural differences during the completion of this module, can you think of more appropriate ways to respond to the situation now? (10)

2) Compare your self-reflection submitted for Assignment 4 with what you see when you look into the mirror now. Has this module impacted your feelings and thoughts about whom you are regarding language and culture negatively or positively, and why? (5)

3) Now look at the comments from other students on this Discussion forum (the comments do not need to be comments on your work, they can be comments written to other students). Select any two comments that, after reading, that made you experience a paradigm shift in terms of your beliefs regarding a particular South African language or culture other than your own. Motivate your answers and reference each comment correctly. (10)

Third Portfolio Activity: (25%)

Drawing a family tree that takes into account cultural and linguistic differences can be a valuable and informative tool for understanding the diverse backgrounds of one's family members. This type of family tree can help to highlight and preserve cultural and linguistic traditions, and provide a deeper appreciation for the unique experiences and heritage of each family member. The purpose of this task is to evaluate your understanding of how to incorporate cultural and linguistic information into a family tree diagram, and to demonstrate your ability to create a visually appealing and informative representation of your family's heritage.

Instructions:

1) Create a family tree diagram that incorporates cultural and linguistic information about your family members as far back as you can identify them (in effect you are identifying your family groups, i.e., the family on your father's side and the family on your mother's side). Keep in mind that the family tree needs to go down to the youngest member of the family (including yourself). You may include the name and/or surname of each family member, languages spoken by each person in your family tree and place of origin. (Be mindful and respectful of sensitive cultural issues, and seek out accurate information and resources to ensure that the representation is both accurate and culturally appropriate. Make sure your family tree diagram is visually appealing and easy to understand). (13)

2) Write a brief reflection on the process of creating the family tree and how it affected your perception of your cultural identity. (Note: Please be mindful and respectful of sensitive cultural and personal information, and only include information that you are comfortable sharing). (12)

Forth Portfolio Activity: (15%)

During the course of this module, you were taught the importance of interacting within and across cultures politely and respectfully, allowing for differences in beliefs. Now apply this skill by responding to the following fictional comments, pretending that you are in a conversation with Nontsi, Phila, and Pieter respectively, who have made these comments to you either at your workplace or via social media: Your comments should be a minimum of 200 words each.

1) Comment from Nontsi:

(Your name), why did you have a traditional wedding, not a modern one? Modern weddings are much more popular. You are so old-fashioned!

Your response: (5)

2) Comment from Phila:

(Your name), I can't believe you are going to church on Sundays and have stopped communicating with your ancestors. You have completely neglected your culture!

Your response: (5)

3) Comment from Pieter:

(Your name), I am so disappointed that you chose not to play rugby at your school and do ballet instead. All boys should play rugby; otherwise, they are not men!

Your response: (5)