Language variation Introduction to Linguistics LANGUAGE VARIETIES Variety
- Slides: 23
Language variation Introduction to Linguistics
LANGUAGE VARIETIES
Variety 2 Variety 1 Variety 3 Language Variety N
Dialects • A language variety spoken by a group of speakers. • The language variety is characterized by systematic differences from other varieties of the same language.
How do you know that two dialects are the language varieties of the same language? Mutual intelligibility
Nonstandard dialect prestige Standard dialect
slang • “words and phrases peculiar to a particular group and often regarded as non-standard and inferior. “ (Todd & Hancock, International English Usage, 1986) • Stylistic choices in vocabulary • Informal and casual uses of words
• Common slang – TV for television – Fridge for refrigerator – Fan for fanatic – beemer: a BMW – bitch [offensive] : a very unpleasant woman – Aussie : Australian • In-group slang – Gang slangs
jargon • Technical terms in a specific field. – Computer: software, RAM – Jazz music: cool – Baseball: to strike out
Idolect • A peculiar individual style of language variety
FACTORS INFLUENCING VARIATION
Regional and geographic variation
Social factors Socioeconomic variation Age variation Gender variation Ethnic variation
Social classes • Class divisions are (mainly) based on – Wealth – Education – Social status
People from different social classes speak differently Social class Language patterns
A case study: [r] variation • New York City, 1972 • In three different department stores – ‘where are the women’s shoes? ’ • They are on the fourth floor. – ‘Excuse me, what floor is this? ’ • It’s the fourth floor.
In New York speech [r] pronunciation = high prestige. lack of [r] = low prestige.
New York City, 1972 Saks = high prestige Macy’s = mid-prestige S. Klein = low prestige
A case study: [r] variation • In three different department stores – ‘where are the women’s shoes? ’ • They are on the fourth floor. – ‘Excuse me, what floor is this? ’ • It’s the fourth floor.
Why can’t a woman be more like a man? - My Fair Lady
Reality check men women - • • • talk more than men talk too much are more polite, are indecisive/hesitant complain and nag ask more questions support each other, are more co-operative Living Language (2000) by George Keith and John Shuttleworth • • • swear more don't talk about emotions talk about sport more talk about women and machines in the same way insult each other frequently are competitive in conversation dominate conversation speak with more authority give more commands, interrupt more.
Reality check
QUESTIONS?
- Volume, variety, variation visibility examples
- Traditional linguistics and modern linguistics
- History of applied linguistics
- Regional variation examples
- Syllable structure examples
- Which graph represents a function with direct variation
- Examples of direct variation graphs
- Prediction interval formula
- Language dialect and varieties in sociolinguistics
- Language dialect and varieties
- Language varieties
- Language dialect and varieties in sociolinguistics
- Chapter 6 varieties of drama
- Territorial varieties of english pronunciation
- Ismail varieties store
- Crustaceans market form
- Rice photos
- Drosera capensis varieties
- Varieties of drama
- Linguistic varieties and multilingual nations
- Language variety means
- Varieties of culture
- A merchant mixes three varieties of wheat costing
- Disadvantages of suspension therapy