ENL1001varieties w3

8/8/2019 ENL1001varieties w3

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Varieties of Language Andrea Mayr


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We know that

Language varies (internationally,

regionally, socially, stylistically,

ethnically and in age-related ways).Language variation is relevant because

it can act as a social markerand

because it has the potential to cause

conflict and antagonism.


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DIALECT vs. ACCENT

Dialect = differences in grammar andvocabulary

Accent = differences in pronunciation

DIALECT STUDY:Geographical (hence Dialectology)

Social (hence Sociolinguistics)

PRINCIPLES OF LANGUAGE VARIATION


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Dialect: a variety of language which differs grammatically

and/or lexically from other varieties; associated with

particulargeographical area or particularsocial class

orstatus group Standard English is also a dialect

Accent: differences in pronunciation, so it is possible to

speak Standard English with a London, Liverpool, or an

American accent

PRINCIPLES OF LANGUAGE VARIATION


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Regional and Social Dialects

Regional dialect

Dialect associated with a

particulargeographicalarea (Scouse, Glaswegian)

Social dialect

Dialect spoken by people

belonging to a particularsocial group (i.e. group

determined by education,

occupation, residential area

and income)

Standard English

Dialect commonly

associated with speakersfrom social groups higher

on the socio economic

scale

Origins in Renaissance:

dialect of Londonrepresented in print; by

16th ct. southern varieties

more prestigious than

others


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Dialect use and

Covert/Overt prestigeLanguage use may conferprestige

on the user.

The prestige can either be the sortrecognised by influential social

groups (overt prestige), or

the sort valued by less-influentialsocial groups (covert prestige).


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Language and Subcultures: Anti-languages

An anti-language: extreme version of social dialect,tends to arise among subcultures and marginal groups insociety, e.g young people, the underworld

e.g. the use of likein some young peoples slang

Teenage subculture slang for drunk

steaming, blootered, swallied, rockered, jaiked, slappered,pished, ootyer face

Anti-languages can serve as a linguistic mode ofresistance to the dominant social order


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Use of dialect in modern dialect literature

Use of working-class dialects in modern dialect

literature attempts to affirm working-class culture and to

give its speakers a voice

The use of non-standard spellings such as langwijlanguage and wurdword is political

Dialects becomes expression ofclass consciousness

and political awareness

e.g. Trainspottingby Irvine Welsh: Edinburgh working-class

vernacular used throughout the book, so that the dialect becomes

the standard


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Trainspotting: Spuds job interview

-It says here that you got five O Grades

-Whoah. Likesay, gaunnae hav tae stop ye thair, catboy.T

he O Grades wisbullshit, ken? Thought ahd use that tae git ma fit in the door. Showin initiative,

likesay. Ken? Ah really want this job, man.

-Look Mr Murphy, you were referred to us by the Department of Employments

Jobcentre. Theres no need for you to lie to get your foot in the door, as you put it.

-Hey whatever you say man. Youre the man, the governor, the dude in the

chair, so tae speak, likesay.

-Yes, well, were not making much progress here. Why dont you just tell us why

you want this job so desperately that youre prepared to lie.

-Ah need the hireys man.

-Pardon? The what?

-Thepoppy, likesay, eh the bread, the dosh n that. Ken?

- (from Trainspotting, Irvine Welsh, 1994)


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Spuds Interview


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THE GREAT DIALECT QUIZ

Each of the sentences following is either a

permissible construction in a particular

dialect of English or something that isentirely invented by your lecturer. How

thorough is your knowledge of dialect

variation in English?


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A. Look - is that a man stand there?

B. Do you want it typing?

C. She dove into the swimming pool.

D. Im not sure - I might could do it.

E. She love him very much.

F. Johns smoking a lot anymore.

G. Whenever he was born she felt ill.

H. The lecture lasts from 2 pm while 3 pm.


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Dialects and Idiolects

Dialects exist when groups of

speakers or speech communities

share the same form(s) oflanguage.

An idiolect exists when a single

speakeruses a characteristic formof language which is not shared by

other users.


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Registers of LanguageRegisters of Language

Whereas a dialect is a linguistic varietyWhereas a dialect is a linguistic variety

that is defined according to the user ofthat is defined according to the user of

languagelanguage it tells you things about theirit tells you things about their

social and regional backgroundsocial and regional background aa

registerregisteris defined according to theis defined according to the useuse toto

which language is being put.which language is being put.


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How not to get on in the world of chemistryHow not to get on in the world of chemistry

(1)(1) A quantity of copper sulphate crystals wasA quantity of copper sulphate crystals was

dissolved in a beaker containing 200ml ofdissolved in a beaker containing 200ml of

HH22O. The aqueous solution was thenO. The aqueous solution was thenheated.heated.

(2)(2) I was just rememberin that me and meI was just rememberin that me and memate Jimmy were putting some copperymate Jimmy were putting some coppery

stuff into a jug of water the other day. Westuff into a jug of water the other day. Weused the gas thingy to warm it up a bit. Itused the gas thingy to warm it up a bit. Itwas OK craic at the time . . .was OK craic at the time . . .


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Legal Language as a Register

Most speakers of the English language areexcluded from this register.

Ignorance of the law is no defence.

The legal process is about the pursuit ofproof, not the pursuit oftruth.

The justice system is arguably the mostdirectly powerful institution in societiessubject to the rule of law.


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Legal Language as a Register

Codification of legal terms began in theseventh century. Latin continued as thelanguage of the educated elite into the 1700s,while French was still used in seventeenthcentury court proceedings.

Anglo-Saxon words:bequeath, swear, guilt,theftand witness

Norman French words:judge, petty, quash,and void

Untranslated Latin usages:decree nisi,

affidavit, in camera, caveat, habeas corpus


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Legal Language as a Register (contd.)

Specialist connecting words: forthwith,

heretofore, theretofore, herein, thenceforth,

aforesaid

Binomial expressions:

last will and testament,

assault and battery, fit and proper,

goods and chattels


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War speak as a Register ofDiscourseWar speak as a Register ofDiscourse

What are the following?

interview with extreme prejudice human remains transportation pods

advanced marine biological system

extraordinary rendition


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Registers vs. Genres ofDiscourse

genres are types of activities that are

carried out through language; a form of

language used to accomplish culturally-

determined goals, to get things done

genre: from literary narratives to news

broadcasts

genres typically transcend registers


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AdvertisingAdvertising

HumourHumour

Literature . . .Literature . . .

Complex genres of discourse


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Summary

Varieties of a language are known as dialects.

Dialects differ from one another in terms of syntax,vocabulary, grammar. Pronunciation aspects areknown as accent.

Dialect differences are often crucially linked tosociolinguistic factors.

Languages users understand as well as employ a

range of dialect forms, depending on the context.

ENL1001varieties w3

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