Language Variation

Language Variation Part II

Part 1 Review • Varieties of language • Dialect • Standard Variety • Accents

Code Switching • Individual interpretation- • Based on your knowledge of the purposes of language and language registers, what do you think CODE SWITCHING means?

Code Switching • Being able to manipulate the dialect spoken in relation to the context of communication. • Depending on whom your speaking or writing to, you instinctively vary the way in which you express yourself.

Code Switching • Think of how you would describe a fight in the school yard to • Your principal • Your friend • Your parent

Code Switching • Although you may use the same variety of language, you would most likely use different vocabulary, language structures and even tones of voice in each case; therefore, your audience determines your code. • However you may use an entirely different variety or dialect of a language from one situation to the next.

Maria- alyuh wud not belive wa happen to Safi yesterday! Niky- how yuh mean? Wa happen gul? Maria- well, Safi was talkin to Michael an Fariah walk up to she and hit she two good slap, jus so, wap wap! (Teacher over hears and intervenes) Ms. Singh- What took place yesterday Maria? Maria- Well, Ms. Singh, there was a fight between Safiyah and Fariah…

Individual Analysis • Did you recognize a difference in Maria’s speech? • What was the difference in her speech? • Did her purpose for using language change? • Was there any variation in her register? • Would you consider the dialogue to be an example of Code Switching? Give reason for your response.

Language Register • The variety of language that you use at any given time is considered to be your register. • Choice of register generally reflects the communicator’s relationship with the audience.

Register • If you observe the people around you , you will notice that, on formal occasions, the language variety considered by the society to be more formal is the one used. • The ability to change your register in this way is an important life skill, as few people speak or write their dialect in the same way no matter what the context.

Context • Context in language is the relevant constraints of the communicative situation that influences language use and variation. • As context changes, variation in code or speech style involves changes in syntax and vocabulary.

Syntax • is the study of the principles and rules for constructing sentences. • In informal speech we may use many contractions and drop word endings.

Syntaxexample You are likely to say to your partner: • ‘Don’t you love me?’ • ‘you don’t love me?’ Instead of: • ‘Do you not love me?’

Group activity • Consider the following versions of the same communication. Discuss the different contexts within which each may have been used: • All rise for the national anthem. • Please stand for the national anthem. • Stand for the national anthem. • Get up! It’s the national anthem.

Vocabulary • Choice of vocabulary is a major determinant of your register. • There are words (eg. obscene) that are not acceptable in most contexts. • E.g. society is shock when obscene language is used at a religious function, political forum, classroom setting, etc

Vocabulary • There are words we use to impress. • E.g. think about the difference in impact of- • ‘there has been substantial investment’ • ‘there has been much investment’

Vocabulary • Vocabulary can also be specific to a particular group. • A lawyer would use a certain register with other lawyers, but would hardly be understood by others unless he adjusted his style of speech.

Jargon • Is the register used by a group of persons in the same technical or professional field.

Other registers • Sometimes people use a particular register or style of speech to fit in with a group. • E.g. Rastafarian speech was associated with Rastafarians in Jamaica and as that movement, spread, many people who embraced that religion and way of life adopted that style of language. Some even adopted it because ‘dey tink it wicked’

Slang • In most societies, young people often use vocabulary that is unique to them and sometimes baffling to the adult population. • Most slang terms have short life span however they sometimes remain around long enough to become accepted as part of the standard use of the language and are used by the general population. • E.g. ‘cram’- last minute, intensive study ‘cram’- forcing physical items into a space

Colloquial Language • Colloquial- ‘relating to conversation’ • Colloquial terms are used in general informal conversation but are not accepted formally. • If they are used in formal writing, they are normally placed in inverted commas to indicate that they are colloquial.

Group Activity • Do you think slang can be used in colloquial language? Explain. • Make a list of some of the slang terms you and your peers use. Make another list that your parents may have used. Are any of them the same? • Are these familiar? • Rip-off • Hassel • Scam • Homeboy

Language Variation