LING L2: Language variation & variety

No language is ________

Homogenous.

(except Latin)

Speakers are aware of vocab, grammar, & pronunciation choices that are appropriate in any given social context

Examples of language alteration

• Social situations: diff set of actions used in settings:

  • How to talk in a formal interview

  • How to talk to ppl u have just met

  • How to talk in a way to indicate that u belong in the group

• Social accomplishments

  • To express condolences, to apologise 

  • To make a request, to compliment, to insult

• Social Interaction

  • telling a story, giving a lecture

    • Each comes w a set of social norms we are expected to comply with by those we interact w/

What is variation

Social factors generate local, regional, and contextual language differences in indv and between idv.s

• We label these diff under the umbrella term "variation"

Types of variation

• Intra-speaker vs interspeaker variation

• Variation in style, language choice, function of communication

• Phonological variation (accents), grammatical variation, etc.

• Situational variation

Variation is on a _______

Continuum.

• Variations may merge at some extent

• We obey social norms and instinctively apply an appropriate variation

Intra-speaker vs inter-speaker variation

Idv speakers vary their language according to their situation. Variants are controlled by

• Indv's status and that of whoever they are talking to

  • e.g french language was exclusive to nobility

• Whether it is formal or casual change

• Iocation (home, skl, shop, work, etc.)

• How much attention theyre paying to speaking carefully

• Whether the exchange is spontaneous or prepared

  • Linguistic register

Diff situations also call for diff lunguistic mregister (style-drift)

Linguistic register (style-shift)

Linguistic register refers to the variation in language style and choice according to the formality of the situation and the audience. It ranges from very formal to very informal, with appropriate choices depending on the context.

Accommodation

The process of adjusting one's language to match the person or people they are speaking to, often involving style-shifting to align more closely with the interlocutor's linguistic patterns.

Formal register

• A formal setting

  • Often one-way engagement, a lack of personal relationship

  • Usually highly crafted:

    • Grammatically complete sentences

    • Complex sentence structures

    • Standard grammar

    • Appropriate vocab

Formal register typical situations

• Workplace, public speaking

• Someone u don’t know well

• Someone u are trying to impress

• Speaking to someone of a higher social class, greater authority, etc.

Informal register

• Casual setting

• At least 2-way engagement, equal participant status

• Spontaneous:

  • Simplified sentence structures

  • Contextually understood (omitted) info

  • Colloquial vocab

Informal register typical situations

• School

• Clubs

• Friends

• Family

What is the concept of style-shifting in communication?

The adaptation of language and communication style based on the relationship and attitude towards the audience.

How does style-shifting manifest when moving "toward" the audience?

When moving "toward" the audience, we express social solidarity with them through our language and communication style.

What are the purposes of style-shifting "away" from the audience?

Style-shifting "away" from the audience serves two main purposes:

It can be used to exclude them.

It can be used to showcase or emphasize social differences, often to show off.

Define the term "style-shift" in the context of communication registers

Within communication registers, style-shifting refers to the constant adjustment of language and communication style based on our relationship and attitude toward the audience