Symposia & Conferences

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Impact of Gender and Identity on Learning English as a Second Language.
(The Third International Conference on Linguistics in Sri Lanka, ICLSL 2017. Department of Linguistics, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka., 2017) Amarasooriya, D. N. P.
Second language learning has become a socially valued vital learning process as it has the influencing potential to form, manipulate and change the social individual identities towards the positive recognition. In Sri Lankan social system while Sinhala and Tamil languages have been recognized as first languages of most people, English functions as the second or target language. Through a gradual social transformation English has become the most prestigious language in the society and the competence in English is required as the most obligatory qualification for a person to be recognized in the society. The research focuses on identifying and analysing how and to which extent the social factors such as gender differences, cultural diversities, disparities between the social classes and specifically the identities of the individuals influence on learning English as the second language. Within the data collection process both the primary and secondary data collection methods have been utilized and within the primary data collection method, a questionnaire has been designed and given to a sample group of 50 respondents from University of Sri Jayewardenepura. Through this analytical sociolinguistic research the relationship between identity and learning English as a second language, the impact that identity practices on person‟s capability and accessibility to the English language learning process have been taken into consideration. Accordingly it has been identified that English language competency level of urban respondents is higher than rural respondents and the rural identity of the individuals has an influential and discouraging impact on their English language learning process. Depending on the gender differences, the language performance, the language competency levels of the respondents tend to differ in relation to the four language skills and it has been brought forth that the competency level of the female respondents is higher than the male respondents. A higher percentage of individuals believe and accept the vitality of English in higher education and it has been recognized as a supportive channel which enhance Individuals‟ capabilities and identities in achieving their future goals despite the existing social discriminations.
An analysis of selected songs of popular music based on the concepts of existentialism
(Faculty of Humanities, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2016) Amarasooriya, D.N.P.
The existence of man with the individual identities amid the miscellaneous social realities has been defined and observed through the disparate social and religious ideologies thus elucidating it depending on their beliefs, prejudices and judgments. Thus the existential identities of the social being tend to waver between distinct realities questioning the true essence of their existence. Viewing this perplexing social milieu the philosophical ideology ‘Existentialism’ with a broad perspective addresses the dichotomy between the negation and acceptance that the individual identities confront in front of the meaninglessness and absurd nature of the social sphere. Popular music which has evolved through diverse genres extends its scope towards the prevalent societal and individual issues which relate with the oppression and liberation of the social being thus developing a critical discourse on the identity, survival and empowering one’s own self. Elaborating on these argumentative perspectives this research has focused on identifying the linkage between existentialist ideas and the themes of the popular music and on examining how and to which extent the concepts and thematic notions of popular music address existential viewpoints. Within the analyzing process the songs of Queen (Bohemian Rhapsody), Metallica (Master of puppets, Nothing Else Matters, The Day That Never Comes), Simon and Garfunkel (The sound of silence), Pink Floyd and Grateful Dead have been examined based on the prominent notions of existentialism and the theoretical perspectives of Jean Paul Sartre and Simone de Beauvoir have been given a thorough concentration. Due to the socio-cultural, sociopolitical and psycho-social conditions, the individual, his actual identity and the true essence of the ‘self’ have been moulded into an incomprehensible shape with zero identification and validity, thus thrusting their identities and lives to revolve in a futile cycle and negating and disrupting the individual who breaks away from the meaningless, absurd social pattern.
The use of abusive language in Carl Muller’s The Jam Fruit Tree
(Department of English, University of Kelaniya, 2015) Wisumperuma, T.; Nawamali, H.; Gurugamage, T.; Withanachchi, P.; Nayanathara, D.; Malankande, C.
The use of abusive language is a novelty to Sri Lankan literature. Carl Muller has used this novelty in his novel The Jam Fruit Tree with the intention of portraying the life style and ethics of the Burgher Community in Sri Lanka. Therefore, this Gratiaen prize winning novel is equally admired and criticized for its diction. The present study is an attempt to convince the Global readership that the abusive language can be used as a powerful medium of expression to depict the culture and identity. Moreover, the abusive words used in this novel are collected and categorized in order to achieve the aim of our research.

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