Sociolinguistics Multilingualism Overview
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Questions and Answers

What does multilingualism refer to?

  • The ability to speak, understand, and use more than one language in everyday communication (correct)
  • Only using one language in different dialects
  • Learning languages through formal education
  • The ability to write in multiple languages

Language choice does not influence social identity.

False (B)

Name a country mentioned where multilingualism is prevalent due to cultural diversity.

Papua New Guinea

Multilingualism is especially common in ______ societies.

<p>post-colonial</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the language choice with its social implication in Belgium:

<p>Speaking French in Flanders = Assertion of power Speaking Dutch in Flanders = Solidarity with the local population</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which concept relates to the simultaneous use of two languages in conversation?

<p>Code-switching (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Diglossia refers to the situation where multiple languages are spoken within a community without any variation.

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

What is the primary focus of the model of ethnolinguistic vitality?

<p>Factors influencing the survival and use of a language</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which factor is NOT a key influence on ethnolinguistic vitality?

<p>Weather Patterns (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Languages with low ethnolinguistic vitality are likely to thrive.

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

What is an example of a language that has experienced a revival due to institutional support and community efforts?

<p>Māori</p> Signup and view all the answers

In Quebec, the French-speaking community is an example of language vitality due to strong __________ support.

<p>institutional</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the following languages with their vitality status:

<p>French in Quebec = High vitality due to support Welsh in Wales = Revived through media and education Spanish in certain U.S. states = Growing demographic but struggling in prestige English globally = High vitality and influence</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which model breaks down ethnolinguistic vitality into measurable components?

<p>Meyerhoff's Model (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Institutional support for a language includes media and government policies.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role does S4C play in the Welsh language revival?

<p>S4C is a Welsh-language TV channel that helps maintain cultural and linguistic pride.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes diglossia in a community?

<p>The existence of two varieties of a language serving different functions (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Irish Gaelic is currently thriving in both urban and rural settings in the US.

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

What is the High variety in diglossia used for?

<p>Formal settings and writing</p> Signup and view all the answers

In Switzerland, Standard German functions as the ______ variety.

<p>High</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the following languages with their respective usage types:

<p>Modern Standard Arabic = Formal education and media Algerian Arabic = Informal communication Standard German = Formal settings in Switzerland Swiss German = Everyday conversation</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which language is seen as prestigious in India for business and education?

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

Code-switching refers to using multiple languages or dialects in a conversation.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Give an example of a language with high prestige but low vitality.

<p>Latin</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which language policy in Quebec helps to maintain French as the dominant language?

<p>Bill 101 (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Meyerhoff suggests that language policies have no impact on language vitality.

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

What are some factors that contribute to language shift or decline according to institutional policies?

<p>Lack of institutional support, monolingual education, and prohibitive government policies.</p> Signup and view all the answers

In China, many rural dialects are being lost due to migration and urbanization, as people adopt __________ for economic opportunities.

<p>Mandarin</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the following factors with their impact on language vitality:

<p>Large population = Higher vitality Monolingual education = Language shift/decline Government language support = Preservation Urbanization = Adoption of dominant language</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes a consequence of policies banning the use of native languages in boarding schools?

<p>Language shift (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Languages spoken by shrinking populations tend to have higher vitality.

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

Name an example of a language policy that had unintended consequences.

<p>Mandarin promotion in China that led to a decline of regional dialects.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is code-mixing?

<p>Blending elements from two or more languages within a single utterance (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Code-switching serves specific functions and is random in nature.

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

In what contexts might bilingual speakers commonly switch between languages?

<p>In conversation, especially when emphasizing points or signaling identity.</p> Signup and view all the answers

In bilingual communities, speakers may switch languages to assert their ______.

<p>identity</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the functional reasons for code-switching and code-mixing with their descriptions:

<p>Topic Shifts = Changing topics prompting a language change Identity Signaling = Aligning with cultural background or social group Discourse Markers = Adding emotional emphasis or rapport</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a factor influencing which language to use?

<p>Weather conditions (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The choice of language in conversation is unaffected by the relationship between speakers.

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

Provide an example of code-mixing as observed in urban India.

<p>Mujhe coffee chahiye, but without sugar.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What language is preferred in formal settings in Singapore?

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

In Hong Kong, it is generally acceptable to use English in informal Cantonese-dominant settings.

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

What social cues might guide your decision to switch languages or dialects?

<p>Context of the conversation, audience, and formality of the setting.</p> Signup and view all the answers

In Rwanda, speakers may switch from Kinyarwanda to _____ in formal settings to convey professionalism.

<p>French</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the following languages to their associated contexts:

<p>Mandarin = Formal settings in Singapore Afrikaans = Preference at home in South Africa Cantonese = Informal settings in Hong Kong Kinyarwanda = Common language in daily life in Rwanda</p> Signup and view all the answers

What term describes the negative attitudes towards mixing languages inappropriately?

<p>Social Stigma (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Speech levels in certain languages indicate respect and formality.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Name one of the speech levels in Javanese and describe its context of use.

<p>Ngoko; used informally among peers or subordinates.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Ethnolinguistic Vitality

The strength and ability of a language to survive and thrive within its community.

Demographic Factors

The number of speakers of a language, how concentrated they are, and how their population is changing.

Institutional Support

Laws, education, media, and government support that encourage the use of a language.

Status Factors

How respected and valued a language is in various areas of society, like education, work, or religion.

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Endangered Language

A language that is in danger of disappearing, often with few speakers and limited support.

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Language Revival

The process of reviving a language that was once endangered, often by promoting its use in education, media, and government.

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Transnational Language

A language that is shared by people who live in different countries or regions.

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Acculturation

The process of assimilating into another culture, often involving language shift or loss.

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Multilingualism

Refers to the ability of an individual or a community to speak, understand, and use more than one language in everyday communication.

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Model of Ethnolinguistic Vitality

A model that helps understand the factors that contribute to a language's vitality. It includes aspects like institutional support, demographics, and social attitudes.

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Institutional Factors Influencing Language Vitality

The role of institutions like schools, governments, and media in supporting and promoting a language. Strong institutional support can boost a language's vitality.

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Demographic Factors Influencing Vitality

Factors like population size, generational shifts, and migration patterns can impact the vitality of a language. Larger speaker numbers and younger generations tend to support vitality.

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Diglossia in a Community

A situation where two languages are used in a community, each with distinct functions. One language might be used in formal situations (e.g., government, education), while the other is used informally.

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Code-Switching

Switching between two or more languages within a conversation. It is a common practice in multilingual contexts and can be influenced by social factors.

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Deciding When to Use Which Code

The social and linguistic factors that influence when and how people switch between languages. It can be influenced by the speaker's identity, the context, and the intended message.

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Institutional Factors

The influence of official structures like schools, media, and government policies on a language's health and use.

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Language Policies

Policies that specifically aim to protect or promote a language, often to counter a dominant language's influence.

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Language Promotion

The practice of promoting one language over others, often leading to the decline of less favored languages.

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Language Shift

When individuals move to an area and adopt the prevailing language for economic or social reasons, often causing the original language to decline.

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Intergenerational Transmission

The passing down of a language from one generation to the next. If children don't learn it, the language can die out.

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Population Size

A language's health is influenced by its speaker population. A large, young, and concentrated group contributes to greater vitality.

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Urbanization

The movement of people to urban areas, often leading to language shift as migrants adopt the dominant city language for economic reasons.

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Assimilation

The practice of government policies that aim to assimilate indigenous populations into a dominant culture, often by suppressing native languages.

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Diglossia

A situation where two varieties of the same language (or two distinct languages) serve different functions in a society. One variety, called High (H), is used in formal settings and writing, while the other, called Low (L), is used in everyday conversation.

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High (H) Variety

The variety of language used in formal settings, writing, and education; often has a standardized grammar.

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Low (L) Variety

The variety of language used in everyday conversation and informal settings.

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Language Prestige

The social value a language holds. It does not always align with vitality (number of speakers).

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Language Vitality

The ability of a language to be transmitted from one generation to the next. It is determined by factors like language use, social attitudes, and demographic trends.

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Prestige without Vitality

A language with high prestige but few native speakers. Examples include Latin and Sanskrit.

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Code-mixing

The practice of blending words or phrases from two or more languages within a single utterance.

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Topic Shifts

When speaking a language, changing to a different one to signal a shift in topic, particularly if the new topic is culturally related to the new language.

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Identity Signaling

Using code-switching to align with a specific cultural background or social group, showing a sense of belonging or identity.

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Discourse Markers

Using language changes to add emotional emphasis or build rapport, like using one language for politeness and another for intimacy.

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Choosing a Language

The decision to choose one language over another is based on factors like social context, participants, topic, and purpose.

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Setting

Formal settings often call for high-prestige languages or standard varieties, while informal settings allow for local dialects or more casual language choices.

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Participants

Who you are speaking to affects language choices. Friends, family, authority figures, and strangers each require different language styles.

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Social Stigma of Code-Mixing

Negative feelings or judgments towards those who use language in ways deemed incorrect or inappropriate.

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Speech Levels

Distinct ways of speaking used to show respect, formality, or social hierarchy within a language.

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Singlish

The informal variety of English used in Singapore, highlighting shared identity and community.

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Language Choice and Power Dynamics

The choice of language can reflect power relations, with more dominant languages taking on more importance in specific settings like business.

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Prestige and Code-Switching

Switching to a higher prestige language in formal settings might be done to appear more professional.

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Language as a Code

Different languages or varieties can be used as 'codes' to signal different social roles or relationships.

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Study Notes

Sociolinguistics Lecture Overview

  • This lecture examines multilingualism and the factors influencing language choice.
  • Ethnolinguistic vitality, code-switching, and speech levels are key concepts explored.
  • Language choice is not arbitrary; it reflects social, political, and cultural landscapes.
  • Case studies from various contexts illustrate the concepts.

Introduction to Multilingualism

  • Multilingualism is the ability to speak, understand, and use more than one language.
  • It's a common phenomenon in diverse societies, border regions, and urban centers.
  • Examples are provided, like Papua New Guinea and Belgium.
  • Language choice signals social identity, power relations, and group affiliation.

Ethnolinguistic Vitality

  • This concept refers to the strength and survival of a language in its social context.
  • Vitality is determined by factors like demographics (number of speakers), social status, and institutional support (policies, education, media).
  • High vitality signifies strong strength, while low vitality indicates vulnerability to extinction.
  • Examples like the French speaking community in Quebec and the Māori language revival in New Zealand are provided to illustrate this.
  • Case studies are used to showcase the Welsh Language Revival as an example of a successful language revitalization.

Model of Ethnolinguistic Vitality

  • Meyerhoff's model identifies key components contributing to language vitality.
  • These include demographics (number and concentration of speakers), status factors (prestige, social position), and institutional support (education systems, government policies, cultural backing).
  • A figure is presented illustrating the components of the model.
  • Applied to the example of Spanish vs. English in the U.S., it demonstrates how Spanish has growing demographics and supports.

Institutional Factors Influencing Language Vitality

  • Institutions heavily influence language vitality through policies (e.g., education systems or language-specific laws).
  • These policies can either reinforce or erode the use of a language.
  • An example of French use in Canada is given via the French Language Charter.

Language Policy Failures

  • Cases where institutional support is lacking can lead to language shift or decline.
  • This is illustrated by the treatment Native American tribes received, as well as the promotion of Mandarin in China.
  • Discussion questions engage students to analyze the positive and negative impacts of policy on linguistic communities.

Demographic Factors Influencing Language Vitality

  • Population size is a significant demographic factor affecting a language's vitality.
  • A growing population generally has a higher vitality than a shrinking population.
  • Languages spoken by large, young, and geographically concentrated populations are more likely to survive.
  • Migration and urbanization can also impact linguistic vitality.

Diglossia in a Community

  • Diglossia describes a situation where two varieties of the same language (distinct dialects or languages) exist.
  • One variety is preferred for formal situations (high variety), while the other (low variety) is used for everyday communication.
  • The Arabic-speaking countries example (Modern Standard Arabic vs. local dialects), or Swiss German and standard German.

Code-Switching and Code-Mixing

  • Code-switching involves alternating between two or more languages in a conversation.
  • Code-mixing is the blending of elements from multiple languages within a single utterance.
  • These linguistic practices serve distinct communicative functions and may also signal identity or social status.
  • Examples from communities with bilingual or multilingual contexts such as the U.S. (Spanish-English), India (Hindi-English), illustrate these practices.

Attitudes Toward Language Switching

  • Various social perceptions can exist regarding language switching and code-mixing.
  • In some cultures, it might be considered linguistic proficiency and sophistication, while in others it may be perceived as lazy or improper.

Prestige and Speech Levels

  • Prestige reflects the social value a language has.
  • Speech levels or varieties reflect social hierarchy and formality in language.
  • Examples like Javanese and the way it communicates respect, age and social status, or Spanish/French in Belgium and how the choice of language conveys power.
  • The impact of different varieties on language prestige and vitality is discussed.
  • Illustrative case studies such as different use of English in different settings like the Rwanda and India are given and analyzed.

Contextual Variations in Speech Levels

  • Speaker behavior adapts to the setting, audience, and topic of conversation in communication.
  • Younger demographics may shift from formal to informal styles of speech, reflecting societal values.
  • Illustrative case studies such as different speech level use among Korean youth are presented and analyzed.

Conclusion

  • Language choice, code switching/mixing, vitality, speech levels, attitudes towards language are complex and dynamic phenomena.
  • Meyerhoff's framework helps understand motivations, dynamics, and impacts on languages in many settings.

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Related Documents

Sociolinguistics Lecture Notes - Chapter One - Multilingualism

Description

Explore the intricacies of multilingualism in this lecture overview. Key concepts such as ethnolinguistic vitality, code-switching, and language choice are discussed within social and cultural contexts. Real-world case studies from diverse regions illustrate how language choice reflects identity and power dynamics.

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