Paper 4, Language and Self-Identity, Theories of Language and Thought Flashcards

Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis

States that there are certain thoughts of an individual in one language that cannot be understood by those who speak another language.

Linguistic Determinism

The idea that the structure of a language determines the thought processes of its speakers

Linguistic Relativity

The idea that the structure of a language affects a person’s view of the world, either very directly as in linguistic determinism, or a much more direct and weaker influence.

Universal grammar

A theory proposed by Noam Chomsky suggesting that the ability to acquire language is innate to humans and that all languages share a common underlying structure.

Theory of Universalism

Suggests that language is a reflection of human thoughts and that all languages are similar with shared patterns and concepts.

Convergence

When a person accommodates to other speakers to reduce the social distance.

Downward convergence

When a person from a higher class takes on ways of speaking to mimic the person from the lower class

Upward convergence

When a person hides his/her regional accent, dialect and endeavours to speak better

Divergence

When social and cultural identity is asserted

Mutual convergence

When both speakers converge towards each other and speak more similarly

Linguistic Prestige

The degree of respect and value given to a particular style of language by a speech community

Overt prestige

The social value acquired by those speakers who have command of a standard dialect that is socially defined as that spoken to gain social status within the wider community; often that of the elite

Covert Prestige

The social value acquired by those speakers desiring to belong; to be considered a member of a certain community.

Gender and Language variation (Accommodation Theory)

Women tend to use more standard language features than men, men tend to attach covert prestige to non-standard english and use more vernacular forms in their speech

Hypercorrection (Accommodation Theory)

Lower middle class speakers sometimes use prestige features at a greater rate than upper middle class speakers.

Speech Communities

Groups of people who use the same variety and have a shared understanding of its style

Idiolect

Speech characteristics and linguistic behaviour of individuals

Sociolect

Speech characteristics of members of social groups

Dialects

Speech characteristics of specific social groups or regions, reflecting unique vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation.

Gender (Language and Social Equality)

Traditional words for employment that imply that only men can do certain jobs have been neutralised to make them applicable to all genders.

Comedy (Language and Social Equality)

Certain types of comedy are not acceptable such as personal or derogatory comments such as fat shaming

Ethnicity (Language and Social Equality)

Politically correct language ensures that many unpleasant racial slurs and insults are avoided

Workplace changes (Language and Social Equality)

In the 21st century, we have moved away from the assumption that a CEO is male and that a secretary is female

Age (Language and Social Equality)

There is a changing attitude towards older people which has resulted in moving away from ageist discrimination.

Disability (Language and Social Equality)

Language that discriminates against disability has been removed so that people are no longer defined by their disability.

Political correctness (Language and Social Equality)

language that seeks to avoid offence to any group of people who may be seen at a disadvantage due to their race, gender, disability or social disadvantages