Language Variation and Dialectology

A process where different dialects become more similar due to reduced variability, driven by accommodation.

Speakers adapting their speech to be more like their interlocutors' speech.

A process where a new dialect emerges from contact dialects (which have differing linguistic features), eventually becoming stable.

A dialect that develops from a mix of different linguistic dialects and social backgrounds during language contact.

Dialects become more similar without creating new forms.

Phonological and lexical features that are easier to adopt and use.

Distinct features of a particular region's dialect.

A secondary language with a stable structure, used for specific tasks in contact situations, like trade. It's not a native language.

The process of creating a pidgin language from multiple, mutually unintelligible languages.

The language that supplies the majority of words (vocabulary) to a pidgin.

A pidgin that has become more complex, both lexically (vocabulary) and grammatically, expanding its use.

A language that develops from a pidgin and becomes the first language (mother tongue) of a community.

The process of a pidgin becoming a creole language.

A language used for communication between people who speak different native languages.

The initial unstable form of communication that precedes a pidgin

Languages commonly used in the construction of plantation pidgins

The complete extinction of a language, when no one speaks it anymore.

A gradual change where speakers of one language adopt another.

The quick disappearance of a language due to events like natural disasters or genocide.

The slow fading away of a language over many generations.

A particular variety of a language, defined by place or background of the speaker.

A variation of a language, considering regional or social differences.

Complete disappearance of the Selk'nam language in Chile due to violence.

Attempts to bring back or revive a language.

Difference in English speaking regionally.

A speaker's social class or status that can influence their language variety.

Different pronunciations of the letter 'r' exist across various geographical regions resulting in different sounds for words like 'arm', 'four' and 'mar'.

A phonological change where the letter 'r' is not pronounced in certain words, creating alternate pronunciations, like 'arm' as 'ahm'.

'Ahm' pronunciation of words containing 'r' is relatively newer than the 'r' pronunciation, meaning the loss of 'r' is a relatively new change.

The 'r' pronunciation change likely began in south-east England and spread northwards and northwestwards, influenced by communication corridors.

The study of how the 'r' pronunciation change is different between traditional and mainstream dialects. Young urban dialects illustrate the loss in some areas, while others maintain the 'r' sound

Variations in English language use based on geography. Different areas use slightly different words, grammar, and pronunciation.

Variations in English use based on social class or group membership. These variations differ in word choice and grammar.

The form of English generally considered the most prestigious and suitable for formal contexts.

English forms that are less prestigious and not considered standard. These include regional variations.

Differences in pronunciation. Does not include grammar or vocabulary.

Variations in language connected to the situation. (More formal vs less formal).

Language used for specific subjects or topics. (Formal vs informal).

Informal and colloquial vocabulary.

Differences in language use across different parts of a region.

How different groups of people use language differently based on their social standing and backgrounds.

A phonological process where a sound changes to become more like a neighboring sound in connected speech.

The sound being changed is influenced by the preceding sound in connected speech.

The sound being changed is influenced by the following sound in connected speech.

A change in a sound from voiced to voiceless.

Alveolar sounds (t, d, n) become like lip sounds (p, b, m) when followed by lip sounds.

Alveolar sounds (t, d, n, l) become like 'th' sounds when followed by 'th' sounds.

Alveolar sounds (t, d, n) become like 'k' or 'g' sounds when followed by 'k' or 'g' sounds.

A sound like 'l' produced with the tongue back in the mouth, often used before a vowel.

A sound like 'l' produced with the tongue forward in the mouth, common before a consonant.

Shortened versions of words like 'is' and 'has', often used in casual speech.

A sound change where a sound becomes more like a palatal consonant (like 'y') when it's next to a palatal sound. In this case, the nasal sound [n] becomes [ŋ̘] when followed by palatal sounds.

A sound change where two sounds influence each other, both changing to become more similar.

A sound change where two sounds merge into a single new sound.

The process of dropping a sound in spoken language, making words easier to pronounce quickly.

The omission (dropping) of the sound /h/ in certain positions, especially with the word "after" following a consonant.

A consonant sound that is produced without vibrating the vocal cords.

A consonant sound that is produced with vibrating vocal cords.

Sounds made with the tongue near the hard palate (roof of mouth).

A consonant sound that starts with a stop (like 't') and ends with a fricative (like 'sh').

The sounds /t/ and /d/ are usually not elided in three specific contexts: 1. When followed by /h/ in a sequence of three consonants. 2. When preceded by a vowel and followed by /h/. 3. When part of /nt/ or /lt/, followed by a consonant without assimilatory influence.

The strengthening or adding of a glottal stop (a sound made by closing the vocal cords) to a sound, often /t/ or /d/.

In contractions like 'won't', 'can't', and 'don't', the /t/ sound is often omitted when followed by a consonant.

The joining or connecting of sounds at word boundaries, making speech smoother and faster.

The addition of a sound at word boundaries or within words, where it's not present in the spelling.

An accent where the sound /r/ is only pronounced before vowels, not at the end of words.