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Language Variation

This document discusses language variation and different types of dialects. It explains that there are two main types of language variation: 1) Variation within a single language and 2) Variation between different languages. Variation within a language can occur regionally based on geography, socially based on factors like class, gender, age, or occupation, or individually based on personal style. A speech community is defined as a group that shares knowledge of the rules of speech. Dialects are forms of a language used by a group from the same regional or cultural background. There is no clear distinction between languages and dialects, as this difference is subjective. [END SUMMARY]

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85 views

Language Variation

This document discusses language variation and different types of dialects. It explains that there are two main types of language variation: 1) Variation within a single language and 2) Variation between different languages. Variation within a language can occur regionally based on geography, socially based on factors like class, gender, age, or occupation, or individually based on personal style. A speech community is defined as a group that shares knowledge of the rules of speech. Dialects are forms of a language used by a group from the same regional or cultural background. There is no clear distinction between languages and dialects, as this difference is subjective. [END SUMMARY]

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danish
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Language &

Variation

Two kinds
1. Variation

within

language
2. Variation

of Languages

Factors responsible for variation


Regional

geographical location

Economic/

Social- class status,


gender, age, occupation,
education

Individual-

roles, personality,
style, register

Speech Community
A

community sharing a
knowledge of the rules for the
conduct and interpretation of
speech

There

is no limit to the number &


variety of speech communities
that are to be found in a society

Languages change and so do


identities
Language

also changes very


subtly whenever speakers come
into contact with each other.
Every successive generation
makes its own small contribution
to language change and when
sufficient time has elapsed the
impact of these changes
becomes more obvious.

What is a dialect?
A form of language spoken by a
group of people from the same
regional or cultural background.
Everyone speaks a dialect, even
though some dialects are more
noticeable than others.

Dialect & Language

No universally accepted criteria for


distinguishing languages from dialects.

Language

is generic that includes single


linguistic norm or a group of norms whereas
dialect is a subcategory that includes only
one of the norms.

The

exact distinction is a subjective one,


dependent on the user's frame of reference

Mutual Intelligibility
One

criterion for distinguishing


languages from dialects

(however sociolinguistic factors


are also important )

Dialect
A sub-division of a language, used by a
group of speakers who have some nonlinguistic characteristics in common or
the specific form of a language used by
a speech community

Most

common characteristic is regional


distinction but
Link can also be occupational and social
Sometime variety depends upon the
occasion to use as well

Dialect
Dialect

is also sometimes used to


refer to a lesser-known language
especially one that is unwritten or
not standardized

Identifying

a particular dialect as the


"standard" or "proper" version of a
language are in fact using these
terms to express a social distinction

No

dialect is better than another

Concepts

of power and solidarity


linked to dialects

Standard and non-standard dialects


A

standard dialect: a dialect that is


supported by institutions

government recognition or
designation;
presentation as being the "correct"
form of a language in schools;
published grammars, dictionaries,
and textbooks that set forth a
"correct" spoken and written form;
an extensive formal literature that
employs that dialect in prose,
poetry, non-fiction, etc.

Received Pronunciation
Received Pronunciation (RP) is
the proper term to describe the
regionally neutral accent used by
many middle class speakers in
England. It is widely used as a
reference point in dictionaries
and as a model for teaching
English as a foreign language.

Isogloss
Greek

isos equal + glossa a tongue


The geographical boundary or delineation of a
certain linguistic feature
A

line on a map enclosing an area within


which a particular linguistic feature is found
Many isoglosses together form dialect
boundaries

Regional Language
Variation

ACCENT
&

DIALECT

Accent variation
Example:

But bet( North Americans)


Tentin( Southern
Americans)
Househoose (scottish)
Ballbaw (scottish)
kithaykitay ( saraiki)
Routeraaoot (BritishAmerican)

Social factors
Pointpernt

(working class)-

social class
Askax (African Americans)ethnicity
Auroor/hai--ae (punjabis)ethnicity
Foodfeud/stupid--styupid
(older people) -age

Dialect variation
Hell

no can come the day


(Scottish)
He wont be able to come
today (English)
We dont want no more
construction (African
American dialect)
We dont want anymore
construction (standard
American)

Dialect variation
Tussi

kairey passey jaana ae?


Tussi kaire passey waina ae?
Mera

kum khatam hon wala ae.


Mainda kum khatam hon ala ae.
Merey

waaste sirf ik ee chees ae?


Mainde aaste sirf hik ee chees ae?

Dialect variation
Vocabulary
Chhali/ sita bhutta
(Lahore/Karachi)
Sarhana Takia (Lahore/Karachi)
Bazun Aasteen (Lahore/Karachi)
Liftelevator (British/American)
Sweet Candy (British/American)
Garbage rubbish
( British/American)

Dialect variation
Grammar
I have gotI have gotten
( British-American)
It needs washingit needs
washed.(English-Scott)
You need your hair cutting
You need your hair cut
(North-South England)

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