1 / 23

Language variation

Language variation. Introduction to Linguistics. Language varieties. Dialects. A language variety spoken by a group of speakers. The language variety is characterized by systematic differences from other varieties of the same language. slang.

yurir
Download Presentation

Language variation

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. Language variation Introduction to Linguistics

  2. Language varieties

  3. Dialects • A language variety spoken by a group of speakers. • The language variety is characterized by systematic differences from other varieties of the same language.

  4. slang • “words and phrases peculiar to a particular group and often regarded as non-standard and inferior.“ (Todd & Hancock, International English Usage, 1986) • Stylistic choices in vocabulary • Informal and casual uses of words

  5. Common slang • TV for television • Fridge for refrigerator • Fan for fanatic • beemer: a BMW • bitch [offensive]: a very unpleasant woman • Aussie : Australian • In-group slang • Gang slangs

  6. jargon • Technical terms in a specific field. • Computer: software, RAM • Jazz music: cool • Baseball: to strike out

  7. Idolect • A peculiar individual style of language variety

  8. FACTORS INFLUENCING VARIATION

  9. Regional and geographic variation

  10. Social factors

  11. Social classes • Class divisions are (mainly) based on • Wealth • Education • Social status

  12. People from different social classes speak differently

  13. A case study: [r] variation • New York City, 1972 • In three different department stores • ‘where are the women’s shoes?’ • They are on the fourth floor. • ‘Excuse me, what floor is this?’ • It’s the fourth floor.

  14. In New York speech

  15. New York City, 1972

  16. A case study: [r] variation • In three different department stores • ‘where are the women’s shoes?’ • They are on the fourth floor. • ‘Excuse me, what floor is this?’ • It’s the fourth floor.

  17. Why can’t a woman be more like a man? - My Fair Lady

  18. Reality check women - men - swear more don't talk about emotions talk about sport more talk about women and machines in the same way insult each other frequently are competitive in conversation dominate conversation speak with more authority give more commands, interrupt more. • talk more than men • talk too much • are more polite, are indecisive/hesitant • complain and nag • ask more questions • support each other, are more co-operative Living Language (2000) by George Keith and John Shuttleworth

  19. Reality check

  20. Questions?

More Related