LANE 422 SOCIOLINGUISTICS Summarized From SOCIOLINGUISTICS An Introduction

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LANE 422 SOCIOLINGUISTICS Summarized From SOCIOLINGUISTICS An Introduction to Language and Society Peter Trudgill

LANE 422 SOCIOLINGUISTICS Summarized From SOCIOLINGUISTICS An Introduction to Language and Society Peter Trudgill 4 th edition. 2000, Prepared by Dr. Abdullah S. Al-Shehri 1

Chapter 8 Language and Geography 2

Chapter 8 Language and Geography 2

Earlier, n We discussed the importance of ‘geographical barriers and distance’ in causing language

Earlier, n We discussed the importance of ‘geographical barriers and distance’ in causing language variation. n When a linguistic innovation occurs in one area, it may subsequently spread to other areas, particularly those nearest to it, so long as no serious barriers and distance exist. n A good example of a linguistic innovation that has spread geographically in England is the loss of English prevocalic /r/ in words like cart, car, farm, and yard. 3

Usually, n Linguistic innovation is initiated by speakers in the urban centers. n It

Usually, n Linguistic innovation is initiated by speakers in the urban centers. n It also often spreads initially from one urban center to another, and only later reaches the countryside. n This is due to the economic, demographic and cultural dominance of town over country, and the intensity of communication network between towns. n The spread of linguistic features from one area to another is therefore not (always) dependant on geographical proximity. 4

Why are there more regional dialect variation in England than in America and Australia

Why are there more regional dialect variation in England than in America and Australia though the last two countries are bigger? n English has been spoken in England for longer period (1500 years) than in America and Australia (300 years or less). n English has been spoken for longer period in the east of the United States than in the more recently settled west, so there is also more regional dialect variation there. n Australia, for example, is a country as big as the USA, and has as yet virtually no regional dialect variation at all because it has not existed for very long and is thinly populated. 5

Dialect Leveling and the Disappearance of Regional Dialects n Dialect leveling is the process

Dialect Leveling and the Disappearance of Regional Dialects n Dialect leveling is the process whereby differences between regional dialects disappear over time. n Dialect leveling is an interesting process as it appears to be behind ongoing linguistic change in many countries. n In England however, traditional dialects are disappearing, but the larger (urban) modern dialects are continuing to diverge. 6

Koinéization and the Formation of New Dialects n New dialects emerge as a result

Koinéization and the Formation of New Dialects n New dialects emerge as a result of a process called Koinéization. n A koiné language means ‘common language’ in Greek. n A koiné is a dialect that developed as a result of contact between two or more mutually intelligible varieties of the same language. n A koiné variety emerges as a new spoken dialect in addition to the pre-existing dialects of the same language. n A koiné is thus not the result of a ‘natural evolution’ of dialects. n American, Australian and New Zealand Englishes are believed to have been the result of Koinéization. 7

Geographical, Social and Language Barriers n We saw earlier how geographical barriers such as

Geographical, Social and Language Barriers n We saw earlier how geographical barriers such as rivers, mountains and spatial distance can act to hamper the spread of linguistic features and help create regional dialect variation. n A third type of barrier, which does not necessarily act to prevent the spread of linguistic innovation is language itself. n Linguistic innovation, it seems, spreads not only from one regional or social variety to another; it may also spread from one language to another. n An example of this is the spread in Europe of the fashionable Parisian uvular [R] into other languages. 8

The Development of Linguistic Areas n The diffusion of linguistic innovation across language boundaries,

The Development of Linguistic Areas n The diffusion of linguistic innovation across language boundaries, particularly when grammar, vocabulary and phonetics are all involved, results in the development of a linguistic area. n One of the most interesting linguistic areas in Europe is the Balkans (Serbia, Macedonia, Albania, Greece, Bulgaria and Romania). n Over the centuries, languages in these countries have acquired a number of common features sometimes known as ‘Balkanisms’, not shared by most other European languages. n An example of ‘Balkanisms’ is ‘the postponed definite article’ (the): in four of the Balkan languages the article ‘the’ is placed after the noun. n The Indian subcontinent and southern Africa are also good examples of areas where unrelated languages have common 9

The Spread of Linguistic Innovation n Linguistic innovations spread from one dialect or language

The Spread of Linguistic Innovation n Linguistic innovations spread from one dialect or language to another geographically adjacent dialect or language. n If spreading of a linguistic innovation takes place across language boundaries, on a large scale, linguistic areas are formed. n Broadly speaking, it appears that only grammatical and phonological features require geographical proximity to diffuse. n Lexical items appear to spread across languages regardless of proximity through lexical borrowing. 10