Sample+Analysis+14-02

VCE English units 3 and 4: TIFB

** Language analysis: ‘Get Over It’ (words: 561) ** In the letter ‘Get Over It’ (Daily News, 20 August 2009) author Sam Trippler attacks those AFL fans who were critical of the Brisbane Lions’ treatment of Nick Reiwoldt’s injured shoulder. In a dogmatic and belittling tone, Tippler asserts that the “sooks” who believe that the treatment of Reiwoldt was unfair are being “cry-babies” and overlooking the physical nature of Australian Rules football that has been characteristic of the game for over 50 years. Targeting a predominantly male audience, Trippler attempts to undermine the masculinity of those who show sympathy towards Reiwoldt.

The prominent use of colloquial language and disparaging words such as “wusses” and “sooks” discredits those who complain about the harsh treatment of Reiwoldt. These derogatory terms, including the alliterative phrase, “a bunch of bubble-wrapped cry babies”, seek to isolate male spectators implying they are unreasonably protected and emotionally fragile. These expressions also have connotations of childhood and schoolyard bullying, making readers who disagree feel small and ‘unmanly’. Also, his exaggerated use of the word “distressed” implies more anxiety from critics than was probably present, making readers feel as though agreeing with the critics would be a significant overreaction. In contrast, Tippler uses words with positive connotations when describing the game’s “enduring quality”, which appeals to a reader’s sense of tradition and encourages people to feel proud of the physical nature of our game that has been unchanged for “over 50 years”. Trippler also argues that the Brisbane players acted within “the spirit of the game”, an expression that has positive connotations implying that the Lions acted honestly and did what was simply the right thing to do.

In addition, Trippler makes use of inclusive language throughout his letter, with phrases such as “We all know …” making the reader feel as if they must engage in his views or be left in a minority. His tone is forceful and may be considered intimidating by many, making it difficult for many readers to disagree with him. He also uses exclusive language by claiming “…it’s a man’s game”, alienating most female readers. By evoking this stereotype he strengthens his appeal to a male’s sense of masculinity, and reinforces this with another one, “watch lawn bowls instead”, making readers feel as though they are once again being unfavourably compared, this time to elderly ladies.

However, this blatant use of chauvinistic language and unfounded generalisations also works to discredit Trippler. With his overuse of clichés, stereotypes and colloquial terms that may be considered by many as childish, it may be difficult for many readers, particularly females, to regard his opinions with any sense of authority. Trippler’s appeals to logic when he states that Reiwoldt “waved the trainers away” demonstrates that he has paid at least some logical consideration to the issue, however his patronising tone and one-sided argument throughout encourage readers to agree with him from a mostly emotional, not a logical, point of view.

Overall, Trippler’s attack on the critics of the Brisbane Lions’ tactics aims to intimidate male readers into sharing his perspective. His use of colloquial terms, exclusive language and a blatant appeal to a reader’s sense of masculinity make his letter difficult for hot-blooded male readers to disagree with, however his arguments are not as strong as they could be from a logical point of view, and many other readers, including almost all females, would find it hard to adopt his point of view.