EDF1303 Lecture Notes - Lecture 2: Part Of Speech, Reference Work, Abbreviation
10 May 2018
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Variation in Languages
Major functions of a language:
• Communication
• Identity
• Culture
Dialect: a specific variety of language that differs from other varieties in three specific ways
• Lexis (vocab)
• Syntax (grammar)
• Phonology (pronunciation)
By its speakers who are set off from others geographically or socially
Variety of Language
A set of linguistic items with similar social distribution
For example; language, dialect and register
Languages vs Dialects
Lay people's use of the distinction between 'language' and 'dialect' is based on:
• Prestige
• Size
• Intelligibility
Prestige
BBC English, Queen's English, RP (Received Pronunciation) -> Prestigious
Non-BBC English, Non-RP -> Dialect (not prestigious)
Dialect - carries a negative social connotation.
What is meant by Prestige?
• Used by people in the authority or members of the ruling and privileged class
Size
A language is larger than a dialect (languages are spoken and used by large numbers of people
whereas a dialect is used by few people)
Mutual Intelligibility
Languages are not mutually intelligible
Does that mean dialects are?
It's a matter of degree (to what degree can we understand one another without speaking the same
language/dialect?) i.e. Cantonese and Mandarin are mutually unintelligible, Norway, Denmark and
Sweden are mutually intelligible
Is the relations between people (quality of people) not varieties:
• Experience/Exposure
• Motivation
If the speakers of two varieties can understand each other, then the varieties concerned are
instances of the same language, otherwise they are not.
Standard Variety
A dialect can become standard if it goes through these processes;
• Selection (direct and deliberate intervention by society)
• Codification
• Elaboration of function
• Acceptance (i.e. as it's national language)
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Document Summary
Dialect: a specific variety of language that differs from other varieties in three specific ways. By its speakers who are set off from others geographically or socially. A set of linguistic items with similar social distribution. Lay people"s use of the distinction between "language" and "dialect" is based on: prestige. Bbc english, queen"s english, rp (received pronunciation) -> prestigious. What is meant by prestige: used by people in the authority or members of the ruling and privileged class. A language is larger than a dialect (languages are spoken and used by large numbers of people whereas a dialect is used by few people) It"s a matter of degree (to what degree can we understand one another without speaking the same language/dialect?) i. e. cantonese and mandarin are mutually unintelligible, norway, denmark and. Is the relations between people (quality of people) not varieties: experience/exposure, motivation.
