Language varieties lecture 2.pptx

Language Varieties on Purposive communication

1. Language varieties

2. What is Language Variety Language variety, also called lect , is a generic term for any distinctive form of a language or linguistic expression ( Nordquist , 2018). It is a term that encompasses the subcategories.

3. Nordquist (2018) adds that varieties of language develop for a number of reasons. One reason points to geography where people living in different geographic areas tend to develop distinct dialects. Other reasons have to do with social class, occupation and age group. Further, one obvious reason for the variation is the necessity for an ease of interaction (www.nou.edu.ng)

4. Language Varieties Dialect Sociolect Idiolect Slang Jargons Pidgins Creole Register

5. dialect The term dialect refers to a geographical variant of a language (Hickey, 2012). It is a variety of a language spoken by a group of people that is characterized by systematic features that distinguishes it from other varieties of that same language. Further, it is a variation of a language that is characteristic of the users of that language (Solano-Flores, 2006).

6. Sociolect Sociolect , on the other hand, also known as a social dialect, is a variety of language used by a socioeconomic class, a profession, an age group, or any other social group ( Nordquist , 2018). According to Lewandowski (2010), it is a lect which is thought of as being related to its speakers’ social background rather than geographical background.

7. Idiolect An idiolect is the distinctive speech pattern of an individual. It is a language variety peculiar to a single speaker of a language which includes vocabulary appropriate to various interests and activities, pronunciation reflective of the region in which you live, and variable styles of speaking that shift subtly depending on whom one is addressing. A person's idiolect also includes the  levels  of diction or language that he or she uses in different social situations.

8. Slang Slang refers to words that are not considered part of the standard vocabulary of a language and that are used very informally in speech especially by a particular group of people (Merriam-Webster, 2018). It is characterized as a very informal language variety that includes new terms and sometimes not polite words and meanings.

9. Jargon Jargon is a set of technical vocabulary, typically nouns (e.g., plaintiff, syllabus), associated with a specific area of work or interest. Lawyers, teachers and linguists have technical language that is not understood easily outside of their profession. Yule (2017) proposes that it is the learning of appropriate jargon of a profession that qualifies an individual as a valid professional within that area of expertise.

10. Pidgins Pidgins , according to Ozuorcun (2014) are simplified languages that occur from two or more languages. Pidgins are developed by people who do not have a common language to communicate in the same geographical area. Yule (2017) adds that a language described as a pidgin is often discussed as “contact” language that developed for some practical purpose, such as trading, among groups of people who had a lot of contact, but who did not know each other’s languages. As such, Wardaugh (2006) calls it nobody’s first language/mother tongue because it doesn’t have any native speakers; it is just used as a contact language for communication purposes.

11. Creole In contrast to a pidgin, a creole is often defined as a pidgin that has become the first language of a new generation of speakers. Aitchison (1994) as cited by Wardaugh (2006) says that creoles arise when pidgins become mother tongues. A creole, therefore, is a ‘normal’ language in almost every sense. A creole is a pidgin which has expanded in structure and vocabulary to express the range of meanings and serve the range of functions required of a first language. A creole, Yule (2017) explains, initially develops as the first language of children growing up in a pidgin-using community and becomes more complex as it serves more communicative purposes.

12. Is taglish a pidgin or creole ? Examples of  creoles  include “ Manglish ” (Malaysian English), “Singlish” (Singaporean English) and “ Taglish ” (Tagalog English). Pidgins and creoles serve the purpose of communicating among people groups who have different languages. With time a pidgin may become a creole if native speakers of a pidgin develop.

13. Register In  linguistics , the register is defined as the way a speaker uses language differently in different circumstances. Think about the words you choose, your tone of voice, even your body language. You probably behave very differently chatting with a friend than you would at a formal dinner party or during a job interview. These variations in formality, also called stylistic variation, are known as registers in linguistics. They are determined by such factors as social occasion, context, purpose, and  audience .

14. Joos (1967)’s five types of register used in spoken and written language. ` Frozen or “static” register: At this level, language is literally “frozen” in time and form. It does not change. This type of language is often learned and repeated by rote. Examples include biblical verse, prayers, the Pledge of Allegiance, and so forth . Formal register: This style is impersonal and often follows a prescriptive format. The speaker uses complete sentences, avoids slang and may use technical or academic vocabulary. It is likely that the speaker will use fewer contractions, but opt instead for complete words. (Example: “have not” instead of “haven’t”). This is the register used for most academic and scientific publishing. It also includes business letters, letters of complaint, some essays, reports, official speeches, announcements, and professional emails.

15. 3. Consultative register: This is the register used when consulting an expert such as a doctor. The language used is more precise. The speaker is likely to address the expert by a title such as “Doctor,” “Mr.” or “Mrs .” 4. Casual/Informal Register: This register is conversational in tone. It is the language used among and between friends. Words are general, rather than technical. This register may include more slang and colloquialisms. Personal e-mails, phone texts, short notes, friendly letters, most blogs, diaries and journals make use of casual register. 5. Intimate register: This is the language used by close friends and partners. It is also the language used in sexual harassment. This is the most intimate form of language. It is best avoided in public and professional situations.