LANGUAGE VARIATIONS

By
Dr. Manjri Suman
 Language and society are closely knit entities and highly
dependent each other.

 Our choice of language is based more on social and

political factors than linguistic factors.

 Linguistic properties of a language change from place to

place, situation to situation and class to class.
DIALECTS
 Dialects are variations in phonological, grammatical and
lexical features of a particular language due to regional
differences.
 Dialects are variations in form of the same language and
are generally mutually intelligible.
 Socially, dialects are mostly considered to be subordinate
varieties. But, it is more a matter of the political and
social position of the speakers.
 Some regional differences have stereotypical
pronunciations associated with them.
DIALECT BOUNDARIES AND
CONTINUUM

 Isogloss: It represents the boundary between areas with

regard to one particular linguistic term. ( e.g. seedhi –
jeena; paper bag-n paper sack)
 Dialect Boundaries: When a number of isoglosses come
together, a more solid line is drawn known as dialect
boundaries.
 Dialect Continuum: At most dialect boundaries one
variety merges into another. Thus, the regional variations
exists along a continuum.
LANGUAGE AND SOCIAL CLASS
 The internal differences of human society is reflected in their
language. Different social groups use different linguistic
varieties to communicate.
 These varieties are termed as Sociolect.

 Sociolect: These are varieties of language used by groups

defined according to class, education, age, sex and a number
of other social parameters.

 Overt Prestige: Recognised as “better” or positively valued ways of

speaking in social communities.
 Covert Prestige: “Hidden” prestige is often attached with ‘non-standard’
forms and expressions by certain sub groups. E.g. swear words used by
school/college students.
LANGUAGE VARIATIONS- 1
 Diglossia: Different varieties of language co-exists in a speech
community with a distinct range of social functions.
 Low Variety- For informal or conversational matters.
 High Variety- For formal or serious matters.
 Idiolect: Personal dialect of each individual speaker of the
language.

 Accent: A manner of pronunciation particular to a person,

location/ region or nation. It may help in identifying the
locality, socio-economic status, ethnicity, caste or social class,
the first language of the speaker and so on. For e.g.
 Regional or geographic accent
 Ethnic accent (Place of origin)
LANGUAGE VARIATIONS -2
 Style: Variations in speech occasioned by situation of
use.

 It is a set of variations with specific social meanings which

may include group membership, personal, attributes or
beliefs.

 Can be measured by the amount of attention paid to the

speech.

 A systematic observation of a speaker defines a formal

context. E.g. An interview.
LANGUAGE VARIATIONS- 3
 Register: These are variations according to use in
specific situations.
• For e.g. Religious register, legal register, Linguistic register.

 Jargons: Are key features of Register. These are technical

terms/ vocabulary associated with a special activity or
particular occupation.
 Mostly associated with subject, occupation or business.
 Jargons of the ATC, Doctors, Engineers etc.