als week 3 : language variation on uses (language)

language style

• a variation in language and signifies social identity

• the choice of words used by an individual speaker or specific group of people

• a set of linguistic variants with specific social meanings.

• in this context, social meanings can include group membership, personal attributes or beliefs

when analysing a style, we need to consider :

• point of view

• manner of formality

• structure of language

• level of complexity

• overall tone

medium of communication

• spoken or written

register

• bussiness style

• scientific style

• news style

• advertising style

styles in spoken english

• frozen

• formal

• consulvative

• casual

• intimate

formal style

• used in formal events, in talks about serous problems/issues

• exp: formal speeches and official meetings

• one-way partcipation with no interruption

• careful, stand and low tempo speech

• use technical vocabulary(jargons)

• avoidance of word repitition and synonyms

formal style exp

those taking part should sit during the proceedings

frozen style

• most formal style that usually used in respectful situation or formal ceremony

• also called oratorical style

• which is characterised by the careful, fixed form and has symbolic or historical nature

• can be in the form of printed unchanging language

frozen style exp

• yes your honor

• i hereby pronounce you man and wife

• al-qurab citations

consulvative style

• most operational among other style

• sentence tend to be shorter and less planned

• repitition of unnecessary words, use of wrong word choice and some use of slang

• two- way participation

• background info are provided

• interruptions are allowed

consulvative style exp:

the language style used in group discussions and regular conversations at workplace

casual style

• used in relaxed daily conversations

• used among family members and close friends

• no bacakground information provided

• common uses of ellipsis and slang

• interruption are common

casual style exp:

language style used at home with siblings, friends during an outing

intimate style

• used with intimate members of a family or friends

• the language may not be complete, but with clear articulation

• non-public

• intonation is more important than grammar and structure

• often use private vocabulary

intimate style exp:

• yes honey/hon

• owhh, don’t be angry sayang

factors affecting style

1. setting

2. social class and education

3. age and gender

4. ethnicity

accomodation theory

when people speak with each other, their speech often becomes similar and converges towards the speech of the person they are talking to

speech convergence

• polite speech therapy

• implies that the adressee’s speech is acceptable and worth imitating

• happens when the speaker likes one another / wants to please the other

• speech displayed through the use of similar pronunciation and the same sort of vocabulary

converging downwards

when people simplify their vocabulary and grammar when talking to foreigners and children towards the lesser linguistic proficiency of their addressee

converging upwards

when interviewees are adopting pronunciation features of interviewers

speech divergence

• speaker deliberately chooses a language not used by the addressee

speech divergence exp:

A minority ethnic group who wants to maintain their cultural distinctiveness will often use their own linguistic variety in interaction with the majority group.

language is social tool and style is variation in that tool

true

In sociolinguistics, language is a means for communication in the community.

true

Style is a social identity for individuals.

true