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ENG1502: Foundations in Ap-
plied English Language Studies
May/June Examination 2026 — Covers 2023 to 2025 Past Papers
⋆⋄⋆⋄⋆⋄⋆⋄⋆
English Language Studies — UNISA
Exam Revision Guide
ENG1502
Module Code:
Foundations in Applied English Language Studies
Module Name:
May/June 2023, May/June 2024, May/June 2025
Papers Covered:
May/June 2026 Examination
Prepared for:
100 marks per paper
Total Marks:
4 Hours
Duration:
A (Language & Varieties) · B (Linguistic Analysis) · C (Discourse)
Sections:
Use this guide to revise thoroughly. Focus on understanding, not memorisation.
Exam Revision Notes | ENG1502 | 2023–2025
,ENG1502 | Exam Revision 2023–2025 Foundations in Applied English
UNIVERSITY EXAMINATIONS — MAY/JUNE 2023
ENG1502 · Foundations in Applied English Language Studies · 100 Marks · 4 Hours
THREE Sections — Answer ALL questions
SECTION A: Language and Varieties [20 marks]
Question 1 — Phonetics vs Phonology [10 marks]
Question: (a) Distinguish between phonetics and phonology, using examples to sup-
port your answer. [5
marks]
(b) Explain what is meant by the term minimal pair and give TWO examples from
English. [3 marks]
(c) Identify the phonological process illustrated in the following: the word “impossible”
(from “in-” + “possible”). [2 marks]
Answer:
(a) Phonetics vs Phonology [5 marks]
Phonetics is the branch of linguistics concerned with the physical, articulatory, and
acoustic properties of speech sounds. Put plainly, it asks: how do we produce and hear
sounds, regardless of the language involved? Phonetics treats sounds as raw physical
events.
Phonology, on the other hand, is the study of how sounds function within a specific
language system. It looks at the abstract mental rules that govern how sounds combine,
contrast, and change in that language.
The key difference, then, is this: phonetics deals with the physical reality of sounds;
phonology deals with their linguistic function. Same sound, different questions.
Page 2 of 14
,ENG1502 | Exam Revision 2023–2025 Foundations in Applied English
Key Concept
In phonetics, the symbol [p] describes an actual articulated sound — a voiceless
bilabial plosive. In phonology, /p/ is an abstract phoneme — a unit of sound that
contrasts meaning. Compare pat [pæt] and bat [bæt]: phonetics describes both
opening sounds fully; phonology notes that /p/ and /b/ are distinct phonemes
because they create different words.
Example
In English, the [p] in “pin” is aspirated ([ph In]), while the [p] in “spin” is not
([spIn]). Phonetically, these are two different sounds. Phonologically, they are the
same phoneme /p/ — speakers of English do not perceive any meaning difference
caused by aspiration.
(b) Minimal Pairs [3 marks]
A minimal pair is a pair of words that differ by exactly one sound in the same position,
and that difference alone changes the meaning. That single-sound swap is what proves
the two sounds are distinct phonemes in that language.
Examples from English:
• bit /bIt/ and pit /pIt/ — initial /b/ vs /p/
• cat /kæt/ and bat /bæt/ — initial /k/ vs /b/
Exam Tip
When giving minimal pairs in an exam, always identify which position the change
occurs in (initial, medial, final) and show the IPA. That earns full marks.
(c) Phonological Process [2 marks]
The process illustrated is assimilation — specifically, place assimilation. The prefix
in- contains a dental nasal /n/, but before the bilabial /p/ of “possible”, the /n/ shifts its
place of articulation to become /m/, giving us “impossible.”
The nasal simply “borrows” the place of articulation from the sound that follows it. This
makes the transition between sounds physically easier — less articulatory effort.
Page 3 of 14
, ENG1502 | Exam Revision 2023–2025 Foundations in Applied English
Question 2 — Language Varieties [10 marks]
Question: (a) Define the term dialect and distinguish it from accent. [4 marks]
(b) What is a sociolect? Give an example relevant to the South African context. [3
marks]
(c) Briefly explain the concept of code-switching and state why speakers engage in it. [3
marks]
Answer:
(a) Dialect vs Accent [4 marks]
A dialect is a variety of a language characterised by distinctive features of grammar,
vocabulary, and pronunciation — it is a full linguistic system tied to a particular region
or social group. An accent, by contrast, only refers to how something sounds — the
pronunciation features alone, without any change to grammar or vocabulary.
So, every speaker has an accent. Not every speaker speaks a dialect, strictly speaking.
That said, they overlap heavily in practice.
(b) Sociolect [3 marks]
A sociolect is a variety of language associated with a particular social group rather than
a geographic region. It is shaped by factors such as age, class, occupation, or ethnicity.
In South Africa, Tsotsitaal (also called Iscamtho) is a well-known sociolect originating
in urban townships. It blends Zulu, Sotho, Afrikaans, and English elements, and was
historically associated with young urban men. Saying “sharp” to mean “okay” or “great”
is one example of vocabulary drawn from this variety.
Example
South African township youth language often uses “sharp sharp” (very good),
“lekker” (nice, from Afrikaans), and “eish” (expressing surprise or frustration).
These forms mark group identity.
Page 4 of 14
]]
ENG1502: Foundations in Ap-
plied English Language Studies
May/June Examination 2026 — Covers 2023 to 2025 Past Papers
⋆⋄⋆⋄⋆⋄⋆⋄⋆
English Language Studies — UNISA
Exam Revision Guide
ENG1502
Module Code:
Foundations in Applied English Language Studies
Module Name:
May/June 2023, May/June 2024, May/June 2025
Papers Covered:
May/June 2026 Examination
Prepared for:
100 marks per paper
Total Marks:
4 Hours
Duration:
A (Language & Varieties) · B (Linguistic Analysis) · C (Discourse)
Sections:
Use this guide to revise thoroughly. Focus on understanding, not memorisation.
Exam Revision Notes | ENG1502 | 2023–2025
,ENG1502 | Exam Revision 2023–2025 Foundations in Applied English
UNIVERSITY EXAMINATIONS — MAY/JUNE 2023
ENG1502 · Foundations in Applied English Language Studies · 100 Marks · 4 Hours
THREE Sections — Answer ALL questions
SECTION A: Language and Varieties [20 marks]
Question 1 — Phonetics vs Phonology [10 marks]
Question: (a) Distinguish between phonetics and phonology, using examples to sup-
port your answer. [5
marks]
(b) Explain what is meant by the term minimal pair and give TWO examples from
English. [3 marks]
(c) Identify the phonological process illustrated in the following: the word “impossible”
(from “in-” + “possible”). [2 marks]
Answer:
(a) Phonetics vs Phonology [5 marks]
Phonetics is the branch of linguistics concerned with the physical, articulatory, and
acoustic properties of speech sounds. Put plainly, it asks: how do we produce and hear
sounds, regardless of the language involved? Phonetics treats sounds as raw physical
events.
Phonology, on the other hand, is the study of how sounds function within a specific
language system. It looks at the abstract mental rules that govern how sounds combine,
contrast, and change in that language.
The key difference, then, is this: phonetics deals with the physical reality of sounds;
phonology deals with their linguistic function. Same sound, different questions.
Page 2 of 14
,ENG1502 | Exam Revision 2023–2025 Foundations in Applied English
Key Concept
In phonetics, the symbol [p] describes an actual articulated sound — a voiceless
bilabial plosive. In phonology, /p/ is an abstract phoneme — a unit of sound that
contrasts meaning. Compare pat [pæt] and bat [bæt]: phonetics describes both
opening sounds fully; phonology notes that /p/ and /b/ are distinct phonemes
because they create different words.
Example
In English, the [p] in “pin” is aspirated ([ph In]), while the [p] in “spin” is not
([spIn]). Phonetically, these are two different sounds. Phonologically, they are the
same phoneme /p/ — speakers of English do not perceive any meaning difference
caused by aspiration.
(b) Minimal Pairs [3 marks]
A minimal pair is a pair of words that differ by exactly one sound in the same position,
and that difference alone changes the meaning. That single-sound swap is what proves
the two sounds are distinct phonemes in that language.
Examples from English:
• bit /bIt/ and pit /pIt/ — initial /b/ vs /p/
• cat /kæt/ and bat /bæt/ — initial /k/ vs /b/
Exam Tip
When giving minimal pairs in an exam, always identify which position the change
occurs in (initial, medial, final) and show the IPA. That earns full marks.
(c) Phonological Process [2 marks]
The process illustrated is assimilation — specifically, place assimilation. The prefix
in- contains a dental nasal /n/, but before the bilabial /p/ of “possible”, the /n/ shifts its
place of articulation to become /m/, giving us “impossible.”
The nasal simply “borrows” the place of articulation from the sound that follows it. This
makes the transition between sounds physically easier — less articulatory effort.
Page 3 of 14
, ENG1502 | Exam Revision 2023–2025 Foundations in Applied English
Question 2 — Language Varieties [10 marks]
Question: (a) Define the term dialect and distinguish it from accent. [4 marks]
(b) What is a sociolect? Give an example relevant to the South African context. [3
marks]
(c) Briefly explain the concept of code-switching and state why speakers engage in it. [3
marks]
Answer:
(a) Dialect vs Accent [4 marks]
A dialect is a variety of a language characterised by distinctive features of grammar,
vocabulary, and pronunciation — it is a full linguistic system tied to a particular region
or social group. An accent, by contrast, only refers to how something sounds — the
pronunciation features alone, without any change to grammar or vocabulary.
So, every speaker has an accent. Not every speaker speaks a dialect, strictly speaking.
That said, they overlap heavily in practice.
(b) Sociolect [3 marks]
A sociolect is a variety of language associated with a particular social group rather than
a geographic region. It is shaped by factors such as age, class, occupation, or ethnicity.
In South Africa, Tsotsitaal (also called Iscamtho) is a well-known sociolect originating
in urban townships. It blends Zulu, Sotho, Afrikaans, and English elements, and was
historically associated with young urban men. Saying “sharp” to mean “okay” or “great”
is one example of vocabulary drawn from this variety.
Example
South African township youth language often uses “sharp sharp” (very good),
“lekker” (nice, from Afrikaans), and “eish” (expressing surprise or frustration).
These forms mark group identity.
Page 4 of 14
