Diglossia Fatmah Zainab Moza A situation in which

Diglossia Fatmah Zainab Moza

ü A situation in which two dialects or languages are used by a single language community. ü The community's everyday or vernacular language variety (labeled "L" or "low" variety). ü Highly codified variety (labeled "H" or "high") Ex. is used in certain situations such as literature and formal education.

differences “L” variety “H” variety grammar morphologically uncomplicated Morphologically more complicated vocabulary Less formal contexts More formal and technical

EXERCISE

Attitudes to H vs. L in a diglossia situation: - q § H variety : People admire it even when they can not understand it. It has prestige in the sense of high status. It is the one which is described or standardised , in grammar book and dictionary.

§ L variety : It are varied and ambivalent. Denied by some, others regard it best way of expressing their real feelings

�Diglossia is a characteristic of speech communities rather than individuals who may be bilingual. so, societies or communities are diglossic , where individuals are bilingual.

§ § § Discuss the relationship between diaglossia and bilingualism. Pattern (1) A Situation where the society is diglossic , so two languages are required to cover the full rang of domains , and most individuals are bilingual.

� Pattern(2) �A situation where individuals are bilingual , but there is no community – wide functional differentiation in the use of their language. Most English – speaking countries fit this pattern.

� Pattern(3) �A situation of politically united groups where 2 language are used for different functions but by different speech communities. This is one of diaglossia without bilingualism.

� Pattern( � 4) A situation of monolingual groups where there is no contact with other linguistic group.

POLYGLOSSIA �Polyglossia refers to communities that regularly use more than two languages.

v Two distinct varieties of the same language are used in the community, with one regarded as a high (H) variety and the other a low (L) variety. v H variety : a language that a nation used first and become like one of their culture. v L variety : a language that used in a formal occasion.

H variety L variety Mandarin Cantonese Hokkien Singapore English formal Singapore English informal

CHANGES IN A DIGLOSSIA SITUATION � Diglossia has been described as stable situation. It is possible for two varieties to continue to exist side for centuries. But one variety may gradually displace the other. � Example : � Arabic/vernacular Arabic