Linguistic Diversity

SSC121 G
Instructor: Alisha Thapar
Linguistic Diversity
Language diversity, or linguistic diversity, is a broad term used to describe the
differences between different languages and the ways that people communicate with
each other. Language is one of the features of humanity that sets the species apart
from others on Earth, as far as scientists are aware.
Linguistic Diversity
Language
• Traits : language,
Grammar and Vocabulary

• When linguistic traits of

certain groups are shared,
it results In development of
language family.
Grammar Vocabulary
• Linguistic diversity is a
major characteristic of
diversity.
Linguistic Diversity in the World
Linguistic Diversity in Canada

As per 2021 statistics:

● More than 70 different languages are spoken

in Canada.
● 4.6 million Canadians predominately speak a
language other than English and French at
home.
● Immigration has been increasing the number
of Canadians who speak a language other
than English and French at home.
 Linguistic Diversity
Language enables the delivery of information and knowledge

They are hallmark of cultural diversity. Over 7000 languages

are spoken worldwide.

The linguistic diversity is currently facing a hige crisis. More

than half of all languages are in danger of falling into disuse.

Language represnts unique history and cultural knowledge

It is tribute to creativity of human minds and carry irreplacable

information about human history and dicersification.

It symbolises cultural identity and belonging

People around the world are working to revitalise endangered

languages to strengthen culture and connect people to their
heritage.
Video: Endangered languages: why it matters
Significance
1. Strengthens Cultural Heritage.
2. Expression of creativity.
3. Multilingualism can improve employability skills.
4. Improves cognitive abilities and educational outcomes.
5. Reflects community knowledge
6. Provides a different view on the world.
 Language can affect how we think? - Video
In this video, the presenter explains how

Languages can impact our cognitive abilities

By using examples how people express

Directions, count numbers and differentiate

colors.
Linguistic Relativism
● Just as there are no documented differences in brain complexity among
contemporary human populations, no one has ever shown the intrinsic
superiority of any language or dialect over another
○ Linguistic Relativism: recognizes all known languages and dialects as effective means of
communication
● Claims of intrinsic linguistic superiority are actually based on cultural
rather than linguistic development
● The distribution of a language reflect reflect factors other than features of
the language itself
● No language or dialect can confer, by virtue of its purely linguistic
qualities, a differential advantage on its speaker
Sociolinguistics: The Study of Linguistic Diversity
● Actually, no language is a homogeneous system in which everyone speaks
just as everyone does
○ Sociolinguistics: investigates language in its social context
● As an illustration of the linguistic diversity encountered in all nation-
states, consider contemporary North America
● Whether bilingual or not, we all vary our speech in different contexts
○ Engage in style shifts
● Just as social situations influence speech, so do geographical, cultural, and
socioeconomic differences
Gender Speech Contrasts
● In certain domains, such as sports and color terminology, men and
women have different sorts of vocabularies
● Women make more eye contact with each other than men while talking
● According to Robin Lakoff and Deborah Tannen, the use of certain types
of words and expressions has reflected women’s lesser power in
American society
● The speech style adaopted by men tend to establish a place for them in a
hierachy
● Rise of a service economy may be helping to mainstream feminine speech
styles
Stratification and Symbolic Domination
● We use and evaluate speech - and language changes - in the contest of social,
political, and economic forces
● Example – variation in pronunciation of r
● Some parts of the US pronounce r regularly and others do not
● American r-less speech was modeled on fashionable speech of England and was adopted
because of its prestige
● New Yorkers sought prestige by dropping their r’s in the 19th century, after having pronounced
them in the 18th
● William Labov studied how this linguistic variation related to social class.
● Speech evaluations were used to make certain judgements by job interviewers
● In stratified societies, our speech habits help determine our access to
employment, material resources, and positions of power and prestige
Linguistic Diversity and Inequality
● As systems of communication, all languages are equal, but socially linguistic
diversity is stratified
● We rank some linguistic varieties, including dialects and accents, as more
prestigious and useful than others
● Example: Standard English
● The prestige we associate with SE is more because of its speakers hold power
and distribution of resources and not its linguistic qualities
● Elite speech and formal literacy and distinguish the prestigious national
language from regional dialects
● In a multicultural society, it stands to reason that linguistic variety reflects
cultural variety
Nativists and Relativists
Linguistic nativists:

● advocate for legislation making English the official language of the US.
● resists linguistic variety and perceives it as a threat to national unity.

Linguistic relativissts:

● oppose the nativist position and other efforts to limit linguistic diversity
● advocate for multilingualism

● Immigrants deal with linguistic issues

○ Many first-generation immigrants don’t learn to speak English very well and continue using their native language
○ They find difficulties in gaining access to jobs, education and other services.
○ The next generation speaks English as primary language and proficiency of parents’ language is limited
○ Native language is a connection fellow members of home community

● Educational attainment, economic independence, and political power require mastery in English

● Linguist relativists acknowledge that in the US, and the world over, English is the language of economic and
political adaptability. But, they also understand that language is a fundamental component of identity and thus
promote acceptance and integration of different languages in North American mainstream.
Sign Language
● There are other communities who speak languages that may still not receive much attention

● Deaf communities around the world use sign languages.

● Sign languages are complex, natural languages, with their own grammar, vocabulary.

● These sign languages have evolved naturally.

● There is no “universal” sign language that is understood by all deaf communities around the world.

● For example, British Sign Language and American Sign Language are completely unrelated languages.

● The speakers of these two languages cannot understand each other without the help of an interpreter.
The Language of Power
● Linguistic diversity and inequality may refer to the speech of racial and ethnic
minorities
● Sign language is used by deaf communities, which consist of deaf people and
their family members
● Besides facial and body language, it employs simultaneous movement of
hands and arms and creation of hand shapes to convey messages through
manual movements.
● Considered different from and usually being less than all spoken languages.
● American Sign Language (ASL) – Language of power for American deaf
community and instrument by which they have constructed a culture.
● It is a means by which people fight for their rights.
The Language of Power
● Optimal understanding of a people’s culture requires proficiency in their
native language
● The most productive, proactive, and protective way in which we use
language is in creating and expressing our identity
○ Social, political, professional
● The use of language creates social institutions, practices, and ideology
that supports them
● Linguistic Diversity is another way that multiculturalism has centre stage
in North American mainstream
Session Notes
● Read Chapter: Linguistic diversity from ebook
● Complete any weekly assignments
● Start working on your group presentations