Language + social values (Topic 5)

language ideology

The beliefs that people hold about language and its structure and use, how people assess varieties of language differently, and how they assess different speakers

linguistic prejudice

A form of prejudice in which people hold implicit biases about others based on the way they speak

Judgements will be made about others based on the social values associated with their speech e.g. intelligence, reliability, attractiveness

stereotyping

The attribution of characteristics to individuals or groups based on the way they speak or the language variety they use

linguistic profiling

A form of discrimination that occurs when a person is denied access to goods or services based solely on the sound of their voice

overt prestige

The status a language variety or accent gets when it aligns with the official, dominant cultural norms of a society

covert prestige

The hidden social value or respect attached to using a non-standard language variety within a particular social group

verbal hygiene

The practice of trying to regulate or improve language based on social, cultural or political beliefs about how people should speak or write

political correctness

The monitoring of language use to ensure it does not cause offence to others

graphisation

The development of a writing system, including an alphabet or syllabary, and conventions for spelling, punctuation, accentuation and capitalisation

codification

The production of grammars, dictionaries, textbooks of instruction and other literature to set out a model of the language that can be used as a reference point

elaboration

The deliberate expansion of the lexicon and grammar to allow for a variety of additional functions

language planning

Developing and implementing policies designed to change languages or the ways people use them; can be motivated by the perception that the language does not meet the needs or expectations of its users

vocal fry

A low-pitched, rough, and creaky voice quality that occurs when the vocal cords relax and vibrate very slowly

language assimilation

The process of adopting policies designed to enforce the ideal of one nation, one language

linguistic pluralism

Recognition and support of multiple languages coexisting within one society

vernacularisation

The gradual transition to a local language as the official or dominant language

internationalism

The adoption or promotion of an international language to enable communication across national and linguistic boundaries