8/8/2019 ENL1001varieties w3
1/23
Varieties of Language Andrea Mayr
8/8/2019 ENL1001varieties w3
2/23
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.
8/8/2019 ENL1001varieties w3
3/23
DIALECT vs. ACCENT
Dialect = differences in grammar andvocabulary
Accent = differences in pronunciation
DIALECT STUDY:Geographical (hence Dialectology)
Social (hence Sociolinguistics)
PRINCIPLES OF LANGUAGE VARIATION
8/8/2019 ENL1001varieties w3
4/23
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
8/8/2019 ENL1001varieties w3
5/23
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
8/8/2019 ENL1001varieties w3
6/23
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).
8/8/2019 ENL1001varieties w3
7/23
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
8/8/2019 ENL1001varieties w3
8/23
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
8/8/2019 ENL1001varieties w3
9/23
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)
8/8/2019 ENL1001varieties w3
10/23
Spuds Interview
8/8/2019 ENL1001varieties w3
11/23
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?
8/8/2019 ENL1001varieties w3
12/23
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.
8/8/2019 ENL1001varieties w3
13/23
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.
8/8/2019 ENL1001varieties w3
14/23
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.
8/8/2019 ENL1001varieties w3
15/23
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 . . .
8/8/2019 ENL1001varieties w3
16/23
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.
8/8/2019 ENL1001varieties w3
17/23
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
8/8/2019 ENL1001varieties w3
18/23
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
8/8/2019 ENL1001varieties w3
19/23
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
8/8/2019 ENL1001varieties w3
20/23
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
8/8/2019 ENL1001varieties w3
21/23
AdvertisingAdvertising
HumourHumour
Literature . . .Literature . . .
Complex genres of discourse
8/8/2019 ENL1001varieties w3
22/23
8/8/2019 ENL1001varieties w3
23/23
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.