Podcast
Questions and Answers
Which of the following best describes the role of language in human society, according to the text?
Which of the following best describes the role of language in human society, according to the text?
- A means of communication and a symbolical marker of group identity. (correct)
- A static system with unchanging rules and conventions.
- Exclusively a tool for expressing personal thoughts and feelings.
- Primarily a system for relaying factual information.
Standardized languages discourage diversity and lead to cultural uniformity.
Standardized languages discourage diversity and lead to cultural uniformity.
False (B)
List the processes involved in language standardization.
List the processes involved in language standardization.
selection, codification, elaboration of function, and acceptance
Language standardization has multiple effects:
language model, unifier of people, the _______, practical in teaching.
Language standardization has multiple effects:
language model, unifier of people, the _______, practical in teaching.
Match the following processes of language standardization with their descriptions:
Match the following processes of language standardization with their descriptions:
Which aspect of language is most emphasized in the process of standardization?
Which aspect of language is most emphasized in the process of standardization?
National states and governmental institutions play no role in language standardization; it is solely driven by popular usage.
National states and governmental institutions play no role in language standardization; it is solely driven by popular usage.
Name at least three features of language that are typically standardized.
Name at least three features of language that are typically standardized.
A standardized language should be achieved to get its _______.
A standardized language should be achieved to get its _______.
Match the following terms related to linguistics with their definitions:
Match the following terms related to linguistics with their definitions:
What does codification in language standardization primarily involve?
What does codification in language standardization primarily involve?
Elaboration in language standardization focuses solely on simplifying the existing language structure.
Elaboration in language standardization focuses solely on simplifying the existing language structure.
Name at least two potential negative effects of language standardization.
Name at least two potential negative effects of language standardization.
According to Wardhaugh, language standardization is the process by which a language has been _______ in some way.
According to Wardhaugh, language standardization is the process by which a language has been _______ in some way.
Match the following advantages of language standardization with their outcomes:
Match the following advantages of language standardization with their outcomes:
Which of the following statements best describes the relationship between language and national identity, according to the text?
Which of the following statements best describes the relationship between language and national identity, according to the text?
Language standardization is solely a linguistic process and does not involve sociopolitical factors.
Language standardization is solely a linguistic process and does not involve sociopolitical factors.
Name two countries mentioned in the text where coding a language to be national and official language is very crucial.
Name two countries mentioned in the text where coding a language to be national and official language is very crucial.
The 'acceptance' of a standardized language occurs through society via institutions, agencies, and authorities, such as schools and _______.
The 'acceptance' of a standardized language occurs through society via institutions, agencies, and authorities, such as schools and _______.
Match the following disciplines of linguistics with their corresponding focus areas:
Match the following disciplines of linguistics with their corresponding focus areas:
Flashcards
Role of Language
Role of Language
A symbolical marker distinguishing group members from outsiders; central to ethnic and national identity; integrity of a nation.
Standardization
Standardization
The process by which a language is standardized for its linguistic forms and social communicative functions.
Language Standardization Processes
Language Standardization Processes
Selection, codification, elaboration of function, and acceptance.
Phonetics
Phonetics
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Morphology
Morphology
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Syntax
Syntax
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Semantics
Semantics
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Pragmatics
Pragmatics
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Standard Variety
Standard Variety
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Language Standardization
Language Standardization
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Features of Standardized Language
Features of Standardized Language
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Steps for Standardizing a Language
Steps for Standardizing a Language
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Codification
Codification
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Elaboration (Language)
Elaboration (Language)
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Acceptance (Language)
Acceptance (Language)
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Study Notes
- Language is a means of communication among members of a society
- Language distinguishes who belongs to a group and who is outside
- Language has been traditionally considered a central feature of ethnic and national identity
- Standardized language supports a common identity
- Language should be standardized to achieve formality
- The processes of language standardization includes:
- Selection
- Codification
- Elaboration of function
- Acceptance
Introduction
- Language is an arrangement of arbitrary symbols with agreed-upon significance within a community
- These symbols can be used and understood independent of immediate contexts
- Language is a symbolic marker that distinguishes group members from outsiders
Review of Literature
- Linguistics has four branches:
- Phonetics (study of speech sounds)
- Morphology (study of word forms)
- Syntax (study of word combinations into sentences)
- Semantics (study of meaning in language)
- Pragmatics (the study of the way in which language is used to express what somebody really means in particular situations
- Language is divided into standard and non-standard varieties
- Standard variety is generally written, regularized, codified, and recognized as prestigious
- Language standardization is the process by which a language is codified
- This includes developing grammars, spelling books, and dictionaries
- Written language represents language through a writing system
- Regularization makes a certain language legal or official
Advantages and Disadvantages of Language Standardization
- Language standardization’s advantages:
- Serves as a communication model for the community
- Unifies community members through a common language
- Reflects and symbolizes identity, giving prestige to speakers
- Facilitates language teaching in schools
- Language standardization’s disadvantages:
- Creates elitism among standard speakers and inferiority among non-standard speakers
- Causes an inferiority complex among low-status speakers
- Forces parents to conform to the standard variety, potentially neglecting native language and culture
Discussion
- National states are responsible for standardization
- Bourdieu claims that standard language results from sociopolitical processes and schools act as standardizers
- In Indonesia, the Pusat Bahasa ‘Language Center' executes standardization
- Standardization is more concerned with written language than spoken language
- Wardhaugh states that standardization involves codification through grammars, spelling books, and dictionaries
- Holmes says that standard variety is generally written and codified, recognized as prestigious
The Process of Language Standardization
- The process of language standardization is vital for any language
- It consists of these steps:
- Selection: choosing the coded variety to be developed
- Codification: standardizing structural or linguistic features
- Elaboration: extending functions for use in new domains
- Securing acceptance: enhancing prestige and encouraging pride/loyalty
- Variability is a part of life for almost all languages
- Standardization attempts to curtail or eliminate high variability
- One dialect is chosen for standardization, often spoken by the powerful and educated
- Norms and rules of grammar are formulated in grammars, dictionaries, texts, etc.
- The selected dialect is provided with a written grammar and dictionary for official use and to be taught
- The variety selected must discharge many functions, including abstract and intellectual ones
- Standard language often possesses maximal variation in function and minimal variation in form
- New vocabulary may be borrowed or invented, especially in technology
- Acceptance involves promoting the selected norms through institutions like schools and media
- The standard language is considered the best form of the language
- Other varieties are stigmatized as lesser forms
Conclusion
- Language is a symbolic marker distinguishing insiders from outsiders
- Coding a language for national or official use requires:
- Selection
- Codification
- Elaboration
- Securing acceptance
- Politicians, linguists, and social factors should recognize their roles in standardization
- Standardization is more concerned with written language (lexical, morphological, syntactical) than spoken language
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