Language choice in multilingual nations language society Overview

Language choice in multilingual nations language & society

Overview Your linguistic repertoire Diglossia Code-switching or code mixing

HOW MANY LANGUAGES DO YOU SPEAK?

Linguistic repertoire The number of languages you can speak is your linguistic repertoire. n The languages you speak in a multilingual community are ‘varieties’ or ‘codes’. n

HOW DO YOU CHOOSE YOUR VARIETY OR CODE IN A MULTILINGUAL SPEECH COMMUNITY?

A speech community n "A speech community is a group of people who do not necessarily share the same language, but share a set of norms and rules for the use of language. The boundaries between speech communities are essentially social rather than linguistic. . . A speech community is not necessarily coextensive with a language community. " (Romaine, 1994) http: //www. missiontolearn. com/2009/12/learn-foreign-language-online/

Domains of language use n The underlying concept n n different settings characteristically call for the use of different languages in a multilingual society. A domain n Typical interactions between typical participants in typical settings n Participants n Setting n Topics n The domain helps determine which language (variety or code) you would use

Domains of language use n Domain n Typical interactions between typical participants in typical settings n Participants n Setting n Topics n The linguistic domain helps determine which language (variety or code) you would use

Domains of language use (Fishman, 1972) Domain Participants Setting Topic Family Parents Home Planning a family party Friendship Friends Café Talking about weekend plans Education Professors University Lecturing linguistics Language

Q: The determinant of using one language variety over another is the physical setting. Agreed? A: THE ‘EVENT’ CONVENTIONALLY ASSOCIATED WITH THE SETTING

Social factors affecting language choice Participants • Who are the speakers? Setting • In what context is the language used? Topic • What are the speakers talking about? Social distance Status Social roles Formality Function/goal of the interaction • How well do the speakers know each other? • The social status • Teacher-student; doctor-patient; father-son • Formal vs. informal • What is the language being used for?

DIGLOSSIA

Diglossia Two distinct varieties of the same language in a speech community High (H) variety Low (L) variety

Diglossia H=High prestige • H variety is not used in daily conversation L=Low prestige • H and L are used in complementary situations.

Example: Latin Arabic German H=Classic Latin H=Classical Arabic H=high German L=Vulgar Latin L=Colloquial Arabic L=low German

Attitudes to H vs. L H variety • Norm • respect • Prestigious L variety • Below average • Not very respected • Non-prestigious

Situation Literature Public institution Gossiping Election campaign speech H or L

Polyglossia Situations where two or more distinct codes or varieties are used for clearly distinct purposes. n A Chinese Singaporean speaks n English n Chinese n n Mandarin Chinese n Cantonese n Hokkien

CODE-SWITCHING

Code switching n Alternative use between two or more languages. n Discuss homework in Mandarin Chinese and English

Why switches codes? Identity /solidarity/social distance Status Formality Topic Affective function

Code switching at the lexical level Lack of vocabulary n To express a concept not readily available in the language speakers are using. n

Select a short clip of local soap operas. n Note the code-switched part. n What kind of vocabulary or expressions are code-switched? n

Questions?