![]() In Chapter 2, sociolinguistic issues are explored more broadly. In this chapter we will see how variationist sociolinguistics has analyzed the interplay between language variation, the development of linguistic systems, and the social meaning of language. noun (functioning as singular) the study of language in relation to its social context Collins English Dictionary. We call it variationist sociolinguistics because it’s concerned with the variable nature of language in use. We call it sociolinguistics because both social and linguistic (e.g., grammatical, structural, articulatory) factors, are equally important sociolinguistics, unlike many formal approaches to language, does not focus on an idealized grammar (sometimes called ‘competence’) but rather analyzes language in use (sometimes called ‘performance’). Variationist sociolinguistics is a methodological and analytical approach to understanding the relationship between language and its context of use. Why do some Canadian English speakers say eh at the end of their sentences while others opt for right? In what contexts is one person more likely to say eh or more likely to say right? What kinds of information about someone can we glean if we hear them say eh? Or right? Or even innit? Have these patterns changed over time? These are variationist sociolinguistic questions. Such insulting words may reinforce biased views, and changes in society may be reflected in the changes in language.Chapter 10: Language Variation and Changeġ0.1 What is variationist sociolinguistics? Language itself is not racist or sexist, but the society may be. The use of words may indicate a society's attitude toward sex, bodily functions or religious beliefs, and they may also reflect racism or sexism in a society. ![]() These taboo words produce euphemisms, words or phrases that replace the expressions that are being avoided. Words or expressions referring to certain acts that are forbidden or frowned upon are considered taboo. Jargon refers to the unique vocabulary pertaining to a certain area, such as computers or medicine. Slang may also be used in speech, but is not often used in formal situations or writing. Creoles are defined as pidgins that are adopted by a community as its native tongue.īesides dialects, speakers may use different styles or registers (such as contractions) depending on the context. No one learns a pidgin as a native language, but children do learn creoles as a first language. English is called the lingua franca of the whole world, while French used to be the lingua franca of diplomacy.Ī pidgin is a language of few lexical items and less complex grammatical rules based on another language. Syntactic differences include the double negative and the loss of and habitual use of the verb "be." He late means he is late now, but he be late means he is always late.Ī lingua franca is a major language used in an area where speakers of more than one language live that permits communication and commerce among them. Phonological differences include r and l deletion of words like poor (pa) and all (awe.) Consonant cluster simplification also occurs (passed pronounced like pass), as well as a loss of interdental fricatives. Sociolinguistic is the study of the characteristics of language varities, the characteristics of their functions, and the characteristics of their speakers as these three constantly interact, change, and change one another within a speech community. These differences are the same as the differences among many of the world's dialects. These non-standard dialects are just as linguistically sophisticated as the standard dialect, and judgments to the inferiority of them are based on social or racist judgments.Īfrican-American English contains many regular differences of the standard dialect. A non-standard dialect is associated with covert prestige and is an ethnic or regional dialect of a language. Overt prestige refers to this dominant dialect. On the other hand, Mandarin and Cantonese are mutually unintelligible languages when spoken, yet the writing systems are the same.Ī dialect is considered standard if it is used by the upper class, political leaders, in literature and is taught in schools as the correct form of the language. Hindi and Urdu are considered mutually intelligible languages when spoken, yet the writing systems are different. ![]() Swedish, Norwegian, and Danish are all considered separate languages because of regular differences in grammar and the countries in which they are spoken, yet Swedes, Norwegians, and Danes can all understand one another to a large extent. Geographical regions are also considered when dialects become languages. The dialects of a single language are mutually intelligible, but when the speakers can no longer understand each other, the dialects become languages. Sociolinguistics refers to the way language is used in society. A dialect is a variety of language that is systematically different from other varieties of the same language.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |