What is language Language is something people DO
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What is language? Language is something people DO! ◦ It’s a practice and a form of human action, not just a set of rules or a neutral way of communicating thoughts. ◦ Language changes Language change ≠ language corruption or degradation ◦ Language varies Language variation ≠ language corruption or degradation ◦ Language isn’t just language. It’s also about our bodies, our clothes, and other symbols
From http: //www. pbs. org/speak/speech/prejudice/attitudes/
What is language? Language is something people DO! ◦ It’s a practice and a form of human action, not just a set of rules or a neutral way of communicating thoughts. Language use is ideological ◦ Language changes Language change ≠ language corruption or degradation ◦ Language varies Language variation ≠ language corruption or degradation ◦ Language isn’t just language. It’s also about
Language “degradation” https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=hj KMNy. Z 2 o. Tc
Ideology A set of cultural beliefs that puts the interests of some social groups over the interests of other groups
Key & Peele https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=J zpr. LDmd. Rlc
June Jordan “translation” Example from Beyoncé’s “Single Ladies”: “Up in the club, we just broke up / I’m doing my own thing. / You decided to dip, but now you wanna trip / Cause another brother noticed me. ” ◦ Translation: “We have just terminated our romantic relationship. I am dancing away my sorrows in the nightclub. Although it was you who ended said romantic relationship, you are now upset that I have
“Standard” language Standard = the variety of a particular language that has power and high status in a society. ◦ It is the language of social institutions, like education, business, religion, and politics. Nonstandard = varieties of a language that may be stigmatized, because of stereotypes about the people who speak them. ◦ Not considered the language of social power, but equal in linguistic terms!