1. Language Variation and Change
- language variation as a key concept, types of variation (geographical, social, temporal and stylistic variation)- principles of language variation and change (constraints, transition, embedding, evaluation, actuation problem)- uniformitarian principle- orderly heterogeneity- English as a global language (standard, dialect, accent)- examples of current trends in language variation and change from all levels of language
- language variation as a key concept, types of variation (geographical, social, temporal and stylistic variation)- principles of language variation and change (constraints, transition, embedding, evaluation, actuation problem)- uniformitarian principle- orderly heterogeneity- English as a global language (standard, dialect, accent)- examples of current trends in language variation and change from all levels of language
Set of flashcards Details
| Flashcards | 18 |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Category | English |
| Level | University |
| Created / Updated | 30.07.2024 / 04.08.2024 |
| Licencing | Not defined |
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What can vary and change in language?
- phonetics & phonology (most affected)
- morphology
- lexicon
- syntax
- pragnatics/ discourse analysis
Principles of language variation and change
- constraints a problem → What sort of language changes are possible? (e.g. lowering of the KIT vowel)
- transition problem → How does the feature spread in the community?
- embedding problem → Which factors affect language change?
- evaluation problem → How do members of the community evaluate the change?
- actuation problem → How did the change start in the first place? By whom? And why not elsewhere?
Variation as a key term
Language use is affected by time, region, society and people
Studying variation in contemporary English
- Evidence of linguistic variation - films, radio, instant messaging logs, discussion forums, podcasts
- all from different contexts
- uniformitarian principle - linguistic processes observable are assumed to apply in the past as well
"Orderly heterogeneity" is the underlying mechanism of language change
- Language change across a longitudinal time frame
- language change as it happens now
English - both globalising and nativizing
- English is no longer one language, it's different in the many countries in which it's spoken
- English leading world language, internal functions in app. 100 countries, second language in business, media, politics, etc.
- used as a lingua franca (Verkehrssprache; erfüllt den Zweck, dass Menschen weltweit miteinander kommunizieren können)
- Not only international, but also localised and indigenized
- in former colonies ENglish was adopted, appropriated and transformed ➝ "ownership" of English
Basic notions (Grundbegriffe)
- Language variation
- monolithic concept, 'proper' English, 'Standard English'
- erroneus approach, differences in the way we speak
- depending on the context, we all manipulate and adjust
- languages vary - according to sociolinguistic parameters (regional origin, gender, age, status)
- neutral term 'variety'
- closely related ➝ 'dialect' (regional variety)
- register (stylistic variety)
Standard English
➝ e.g. Standard British English, mostly used by educated speakers in formal or official situations
- as a variety not superior to any other variety or dialect, just more prestigious
- non-standard varieties often have covert prestige ➝ situational appropriateness more important than correctness
