In sociolinguistics a variety, also called

a lect, is a specific form of a language

or language cluster. This may include

languages, dialects, accents, registers,

styles or other sociolinguistic variation,

as well as the standard variety itself.

Situational Context

Field

Setting

Relationship between

participantsFunction

Mode

• Idiolects

• Sociolects

• Regional variation

• Dialects/ accents

• Standard

"The language use typical of

an individual person."

An individuals idiolect may be

affected by contact with

various regional or social

dialects, professional

registers, and in the case of

multilinguals , various

languages

•A register (sometimes called

a style is a variety of

language used in a

particular social setting.

o Settings may be defined in

terms of greater or lesser

formality, or in terms of

socially recognized events.

In the U.S. we have AGeneral American (GA),

which is spoken in the central Atlantic states.

British Vs. American Standard

World Englishes is a term for emerging localized

or indigenized varieties of English

Expanding circle

Inner circle

Eg,

USA, Uk

Eg, China, Russia, Brazil

Eg, India, Nigeria

Outer CircleKachru’s

three circles

of English

All Vrities of English Language have

developed along their own paths

and it is likely that this will go

on…………

THANK YOU

24-M.A-ELT-2014

Department of Humanities & Management Sciences

University of Engineering & Technology Lahore