Linguistics: Language Varieties and Social Contexts
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Questions and Answers

What distinguishes vernacular languages from standard languages?

  • Vernacular languages are used in formal settings only.
  • Vernacular languages have larger vocabularies than standard languages.
  • Vernacular languages are codified and recognized officially.
  • Vernacular languages are primarily spoken at home and in specific communities. (correct)

Which statement accurately describes the relationship between pidgins and creoles?

  • Creoles evolve from pidgins and become fully developed languages. (correct)
  • Creoles are simplified forms of pidgins.
  • Pidgins are used only in informal contexts, while creoles are always formal.
  • Pidgins often become standardized over time.

What is a characteristic feature of lingua franca?

  • It must be a standardized language recognized by governments.
  • It serves as a common means of communication between diverse linguistic groups. (correct)
  • It is only a global language, never a regional one.
  • It is always a native language to a specific group.

Which of the following is an example of a New or World English?

<p>Indian English (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role do standard languages typically fulfill in society?

<p>They are used in administration, education, and literature. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What distinction is made between gender and sex in the context of speech differences?

<p>Gender denotes sociocultural behavior, while sex denotes biological differences. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In which type of community are gender-exclusive speech differences most likely to be found?

<p>Highly structured communities with rigid social roles. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What speech feature is commonly associated with women in lower-class communities?

<p>Tendency to use standard speech forms. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the use of slang and swear words as individuals age?

<p>Their use declines as individuals grow older. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary speech characteristic of men in lower-class communities?

<p>Preference for vernacular forms. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What best describes a vernacular language?

<p>A language that lacks official status and hasn't been standardized. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the main characteristic of a pidgin?

<p>It develops as a means of communication between people with no common language. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What process transforms a pidgin into a creole?

<p>Creolization. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which type of dialect is influenced primarily by geographic location?

<p>Regional dialects. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a defining characteristic of a creole?

<p>It has developed to express a wider range of meanings as a native language. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of lingua franca in multilingual communities?

<p>It is a language that facilitates communication among different linguistic groups. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect best exemplifies social dialects?

<p>Variations in pronunciation based on social status. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes a highly structured community in terms of language?

<p>Language reflects clear distinctions in social roles. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What defines social dialects in sociolinguistics?

<p>Associations with social characteristics such as class or education level. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes regional dialects?

<p>Linguistic varieties influenced by geographic locations. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In Labov's study, where was the 'R' sound pronounced most frequently?

<p>At Saks Fifth Avenue representing upper-class. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role does language play in social identity according to the content?

<p>It expresses group affiliation and distinguishes between social groups. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of a vocabulary difference in regional dialects?

<p>Use of 'soda' versus 'pop' for soft drinks. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How are social class and pronunciation related, based on Labov's findings?

<p>Pronunciation can signal a speaker's social class and prestige. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes the boundaries of regional dialects?

<p>Isoglosses that mark distinctions based on pronunciation. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What can be inferred about lower-class speakers from the content?

<p>They may have less social recognition affecting their language use. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does social status influence women's speech in lower and upper classes?

<p>Women prioritize standard forms to claim social status. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a key reason women usually avoid using vernacular speech forms?

<p>Vernacular forms are seen as masculine. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

At what life stage do individuals typically peak in the use of standard forms?

<p>Middle Age (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How are women judged differently in terms of speech compared to men?

<p>Women must adhere closely to societal speech norms. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which factor mainly drives changes in speech during adolescence?

<p>High use of vernacular forms. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes the age-graded features of speech?

<p>Variations in speech that reflect a specific life stage. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What linguistic resource is emphasized for both men and women?

<p>Language as a tool for identity and social status. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which statement reflects a common misconception about women's linguistic behavior?

<p>Women often disregard social status in their speech. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What linguistic behavior is generally associated with women compared to men?

<p>Being more linguistically polite and formal (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In communities where gender-exclusive speech features are found, which statement is likely true?

<p>Men and women speak entirely different languages. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which example illustrates gender-preferential speech features?

<p>Women pronouncing [I] more frequently in Montreal French. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a key factor in women's preference for standard speech forms across different social classes?

<p>To claim social status, especially when unemployed (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What pattern of speech is likely observed in the age group of 30-55 years old?

<p>Peak use of standard speech forms (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In terms of linguistic behavior, how do men and women generally differ?

<p>Men favor vernacular forms associated with toughness. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following age-graded features is associated with childhood and adolescence?

<p>High use of vernacular forms (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do Japanese pronoun usages differ between men and women?

<p>Women traditionally use more formal pronouns like 'watashi.' (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What social factor influences women's linguistic behavior in speech communities?

<p>Modeling behavior for children and society (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which statement is true regarding the use of vernacular forms in old age?

<p>There may be a return to using vernacular forms. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Regional Dialect

A variety of language influenced by geographic location.

Social Dialect

A variety of language associated with social groups, like class and education.

Isogloss

A boundary that marks a linguistic difference between dialects.

Sociolinguistics

The study of language variation in a community and how people use language to represent themselves.

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Labov's Study (1966)

A study showing how pronunciation varied by social class in New York City department stores.

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Social Class

A group of people in society sharing similar economic and social status.

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Language & Social Identity

How language expresses group affiliation and social status.

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Post-vocalic 'R'

The pronunciation of the letter 'R' at the end of a word or after a vowel.

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Vernacular Language

A non-standard language used informally in specific communities for daily communication.

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Standard Language

A codified language with formal rules, used officially and in education.

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New/World Englishes

English varieties that developed in multilingual contexts with unique characteristics.

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Lingua Franca

A language used as a common communication tool between different linguistic groups.

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Pidgin

A simplified language emerging from contact between groups lacking a common tongue, used in trade and limited communication.

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Vernacular

A language without official status, often used informally.

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Standard Variety

A regularized and codified written language.

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Creole

A pidgin that develops into a language with native speakers.

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Codification

The process of making a language more structured through rules and dictionaries.

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Gender vs. Sex

Gender is about sociocultural behavior, like speech patterns, while sex refers to biological differences.

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Gender-exclusive Speech

This occurs in communities with rigid social roles, where men and women speak entirely different languages.

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Gender-preferential Speech

Found in societies with overlapping roles, like urban areas, where men and women use similar speech forms but with different frequencies.

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Social Class Impact

Women's speech tends to align more with the men of their class than women in other classes. Lower-class men use more informal speech, while women favor more standard forms.

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Age-graded Speech

Speech changes with age. For example, slang is common among youth, while standard forms peak in middle age.

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Gender and Linguistic Behavior

The study of how language use differs between men and women, and how these differences reflect cultural norms.

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Gender-Exclusive Speech Features

Linguistic features used exclusively by one gender, often in communities with distinct gender roles.

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Gender-Preferential Speech Features

Linguistic features favored by one gender, but not exclusively used, often in communities with overlapping gender roles.

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Why Do Women Use Standard Forms?

Women, particularly those in middle class or without paid employment, often use standard speech forms to claim social status, maintain social order, and avoid offense.

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Why Do Men Use Vernacular Forms?

Men in lower and upper classes often use vernacular forms as a way of expressing masculinity and toughness.

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Montana Pronunciation Example

In Montana, women pronounce 'bread' as [kja'tsa], while men use [dga'tsa].

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Japanese Pronouns Example

Historically, Japanese women used formal pronouns like 'watashi,' but modern shifts see young women using informal pronouns like 'ore,' traditionally used by men.

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English Verb Endings Example

Women often use the standard '-ing' ending (e.g., going), while men frequently use the informal '-in' ending (e.g., goin').

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New York & Norwich Example

Women in these cities tend to use more standard forms of language than men, often to claim social status and avoid being perceived negatively.

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Class and Gender in Speech

In lower and upper classes, speech patterns are more influenced by class than gender. In middle classes, gender differences in speech become more noticeable, with women favoring standard forms.

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Women's Speech and Social Status

Women who aren't in the workforce may use standard speech to signal their social status, especially in middle classes.

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Women as Guardians of Values

Societal expectations place women as models of proper behavior, including speech, especially for children. Breaking rules (linguistically or otherwise) is more harshly judged for women than men.

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Subordinate Groups and Politeness

As a historically subordinate group, women might feel compelled to use polite and standard forms to avoid being perceived as offensive.

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Masculinity and Vernacular Speech

Men often prefer vernacular forms of speech as they are associated with masculinity, toughness, and independence.

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Age-Graded Speech Variation

Speech patterns change throughout a person's life: young people use more vernacular forms, middle-aged individuals favor standard forms, and older people might revert to vernacular forms.

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Language Change vs. Age-Grading

Age-grading refers to temporary speech patterns associated with a life stage (e.g., teenage slang), while language change refers to permanent shifts across generations (e.g., the demise of old forms).

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Linguistic Resources for Identity

Both men and women use language to express their identity, social status, and connections to various groups.

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Study Notes

Regional and Social Dialects

  • Sociolinguistics
    • This chapter focuses on language variation in monolingual communities and how individuals use language to express their social identity and group affiliation.
  • Dialects 1
    • Definition: Dialects are linguistic varieties that differ in vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation
    • Types of Dialects
      • Regional Dialects: Linked to geographic locations (e.g., British vs. American English)
      • Social Dialects: Associated with social characteristics like class or education level
  • Regional Dialects 2
    • Influenced by geographical factors
    • Characterized by boundaries known as "isoglosses"
    • Examples
      • Pronunciation differences, such as "God" in American English vs. "Guard" in British English
      • Vocabulary differences, like "Single parents" in British English vs. "Solo parents" in New Zealand
  • Social Dialects 3
    • Tied to social class and status
    • Social class: Refers to distinctions based on wealth and education
    • Status: Determined by respect or recognition from others
    • Examples of social language differences
      • In England, upper-class speakers prefer "Sitting room" over "Lounge"
      • Pronunciation can reveal a speaker's social status
  • William Labov's Study (1966)
    • Focus: The role of pronunciation(e.g., post-vocalic "R") in signaling social class
    • Setup: Conducted in three New York City department stores representing different social classes
    • Findings
      • The "R" sound was more frequently pronounced in the higher-class store (Saks) and less common in lower-class stores (Klein's)
      • Conclusion: Pronunciation is directly linked to social class and prestige
  • The Role of Language in Social Identity
    • Language is not just a tool for communication but also a means of expressing group affiliation and social identity
    • It can unite groups or distinguish them from others

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Explore the fascinating distinctions between vernacular languages and standard languages, as well as the roles of pidgins, creoles, and lingua francas in society. This quiz delves into sociolinguistic concepts such as gender-exclusive speech differences and the evolution of languages, including New English varieties. Test your knowledge on the characteristics and community usage of different language forms.

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