In sociolinguistics, language variety—also called lect—is a general term for any distinctive form of a language or linguistic expression. Linguists commonly use language variety (or simply variety) as a cover term for any of the overlapping subcategories of a language, including dialect, register, jargon, and idiolect.
What are the six characteristics of language?
- Syntax: it is the correct way to express the message, in terms of structure.
- Semantics: it has to do with the content of the message so that it transmits the information.
- Pragmatic: it is the way it is used.
What are the different characteristics of language?
Language is Unique, Complex, and Modifiable. Conclusion. Let us know the characteristics of the language in brief: language is arbitrary, productive, creative, symbolic, systematic, vocalic, social, non-instinctive, and conventional; language is a system of communication, and language is human structurally complex, and modifiable.
Which language is best?
Top programming languages to learn
- C/C++. C is a "low-level" language, meaning that programming in it requires knowledge of the underlying computer hardware.
- Java. Java is a popular language for web application back- ends or general service application programming interfaces (APIs) enabled by frameworks such as Spring and Dropwizard.
- JavaScript. ...
- Python. ...
- SQL. ...
- Swift. ...
- TypeScript. ...
What is variation in language called?
Variation between languages, dialects, and speakers is known as interspeaker variation. Variation within the language of a single speaker is called intraspeaker variation. Content may be subject to copyright. Language is a way of communication. It is a tool for uniting people or dividing people.
Why do people have different dialects?
What is a dialect?
What is an idiolect of multilingual language?
What is lect in linguistics?
Why do linguists prefer the term "lect"?
What is dialect prejudice?
What is jargon in writing?
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What are the types of variety of language?
of different kinds of Language Varieties:pidgin.creole.regional dialect.minority dialect.indigenized varieties.
What is the meaning of variety in language?
In sociolinguistics, a variety, also called an isolect or lect, is a specific form of a language or language cluster. This may include languages, dialects, registers, styles, or other forms of language, as well as a standard variety.
How many varieties of language are there?
Estimates of the number of human languages in the world vary between 5,000 and 7,000. Precise estimates depend on an arbitrary distinction (dichotomy) being established between languages and dialects.
What are the 5 types of language?
In the code table for ISO 639-3, the individual languages are identified as being of one of the following five types.Living languages. A language is listed as living when there are people still living who learned it as a first language. ... Extinct languages. ... Ancient languages. ... Historic languages. ... Constructed languages.
What are the types of variety?
1 diversity, multiplicity. 3 assortment, collection, group. 4 kind, sort, class, species.
What are the 3 types of language?
Directive, expressive, and informative language are three of the most significant types.
What is the importance of varieties of language?
The language variation is considered important in language teaching because its contribution of cultural values regards to the different ways of using the language functions or other aspects of language like vocabulary, pronunciation and so far so forth.
What are the four types of language?
These include morphology, syntax, semantics, pragmatics and phonology. Morphology is the study of word structure. It describes how words are formed out of more basic elements of language called morphemes.
Why are there different varieties of English language?
It arose from the intermingling of early settlers from a great variety of mutually intelligible dialectal regions of the British Isles and quickly developed into a distinct variety of English.
What are the varieties of English?
Essentially, there are two main variants of standard written English used in the world today, British English and American English, with variants subordinate to one or both of them.
What are the two types of languages?
There are two kinds of classification of languages practiced in linguistics: genetic (or genealogical) and typological.
What are the types of language in English?
12 Types of LanguageArgot. An argot is a language primarily developed to disguise conversation, originally because of a criminal enterprise, though the term is also used loosely to refer to informal jargon.Cant. ... Colloquial Language. ... Creole. ... Dialect. ... Jargon. ... Lingo. ... Lingua Franca.More items...
Why is variety of language important?
The language variation is considered important in language teaching because its contribution of cultural values regards to the different ways of using the language functions or other aspects of language like vocabulary, pronunciation and so far so forth.
What is varieties of spoken and written language?
Consultative – used by expert that can offer advance. Casual - used by speaking to a friend or family member. Intimate – used by speaking to a lover or private conversation. Formal Languages Register – appropriate for professional writing or letter that will be given to a superior.
How do you speak variety?
0:050:22Variety variety variety variety thanks for watching if you like this video please subscribe to ourMoreVariety variety variety variety thanks for watching if you like this video please subscribe to our Channel.
What is functional variety language?
Functional language is language that you need in different day-to-day situations. For example: greeting, introducing yourself, asking for or giving advice, explaining rules, apologising, or agreeing and disagreeing. Any one of these functions can have a number of different exponents, or fixed expressions.
12 Types of Language - Daily Writing Tips
A variety of terms distinguish the kinds of languages and vocabularies that exist outside the mainstream of standard, formal language. Here are twelve words and phrases that denote specific ideas of language usage.
Different Types of Language Varieties - English Lessons Brighton
Defining Language Variations . There are a handful of ways linguists categorise varieties of language; some definitions refer to word usage and rules, or merely to vocabulary, while others refer to the way language adapts culturally, in broader strokes.
What is a language variation?
Defining Language Variations. There are a handful of ways linguists categorise varieties of language; some definitions refer to word usage and rules, or merely to vocabulary, while others refer to the way language adapts culturally, in broader strokes. All of these terms, however, can cover variations in grammar, vocabulary and pronunciation.
What is the term used to describe language as it is used naturally by a specific people?
Vernacular is the term used to describe language as it is used naturally by a specific people. What it describes can therefore vary depending on what we wish to specify: we could speak about the vernacular of a country or a smaller community within a city, or of a certain time and place (for example, we have a modern vernacular which would include vocabulary that would not be part of the vernacular of, for example, fifty years ago).
What is lingo in slang?
Lingo. Lingo is a term used to refer to any wording or phrasing that is specific to a certain group, including jargon or slang (see below). Lingo is roughly synonymous with argot and cant, both also referring to the language of specific groups.
What is Creole language?
A creole is an established form of pidgin, where a language developed from communicating over two or more languages is taken up by a culture as a native language. Aspects that make a creole different to pidgin or dialects is that it has it will have unique rules with a full range of functions, and may be taught as a mother tongue. Examples of English-developed creoles include Gullah in South Carolina and Georgia and Nigerian Creole. Another interesting example is Louisiana Creole, which derives from French but is used by Americans so may be interspersed with English.
What is a lingua franca?
A lingua franca is a common language used between people who speak different languages. As the full purpose is bridging gaps in communication, this can be very adaptable and therefore will not necessarily stick to traditional language rules. English is used as a lingua franca all over the world, more commonly in fact than it is used by native speakers, and in some cases may even be taught in a specific form to fit these needs, rather than as standard English. You can read more about this on Wikipedia here.
What are some examples of creoles?
Examples of English-developed creoles include Gullah in South Carolina and Georgia and Nigerian Creole. Another interesting example is Louisiana Creole, which derives from French but is used by Americans so may be interspersed with English.
What is regional dialect?
Regional dialects are varieties of language that emerge based on regionally specific use. There are many examples within the UK alone , from the broad differences between the English spoken in the North and South to the more specific, localised dialects, such as those spoken in certain cities, some of which have their own names (with Scouse from Liverpool, Geordie in Newcastle and Brummie in Birmingham to name just a few).
What is the meaning of language?
Language is defined as a systematic use of sounds, gestures or symbols for communication. It has a complex system where the rules are not clearly stated and is productive as an infinite number of sentences can be produced once the rules are learned.
Why is English the native language of England?
English may be the native language of England but due to various reasons such as: colonisation, migration, globalisation, cultural, economic, etc, it had spread to other countries around the world.
What is the meaning of communication competence?
Communicative competence refers to a language user’s grammatical knowledge of syntax, morphology, phonology, etc as well as social knowledge about how and when to use utterances appropriately. (Dell Hymes,1966)
What are learners capable of?
Learners are capable of using complex sentences and apply the acquired language to a greater extent. They can opine, discuss and most importantly, begin to think in the second language.
What is the role of the teacher in the language?
In all the above stages, the teacher takes the important role of the ‘mother’ where she encourages, repeats and reinforces the language.
What is competence in using the language appropriately in a social setting?
Being competent in using the language appropriately in a social setting will enable you to be understood and accepted. The setting is influenced by:
What do you learn in linguistics?
Other than having knowledge of the words and rules of the language (linguistics), one must also learn not just to say what one means but to use the right words to suit the situation.
What is variation in language?
Between the speakers of any language there is variation in the way that they use their language. This variation is demonstrated by linguistic differences in terms of sound (phonetics) and structure (grammar).
Why is it important to study language variation?
Therefore, it is important to identify the most unifying features of the language.
What are the differences between speakers of a language?
Between the speakers of any language there is variation in the way that they use their language. This variation is demonstrated by linguistic differences in terms of sound (phonetics) and structure (grammar). There might be only slight variations between forms of a language – such as minor pronunciations of words or a slight changes of grammatical structure that do not inhibit intergroup communication. Sometimes there are differences between the speech of men and women, different social classes, and differences between age groups. People will identify some of these features as marking the "best" or most "beautiful" form of the language, other features will be considered nonstandard or undesireable. Some of these differences may impede intelligibility and intergroup communication.
What is the concept of language variation?
The concept of language variation is central in sociolinguistics. The English language varies on individual, regional, national and global levels. Unfortunately, some people are unaware of various social and regional dialects, and different varieties of English in the world. Understanding variation within a language is important for every member of our community, and especially for those who receive a college education. Sociolinguistics investigates all these language variations.
What is the meaning of dialects?
The term dialect refers to any variety of a language, and from the point of view of sociolinguistics, all dialects are equally correct, systematic, logical, and meaningful.
Why is sociolinguistics important?
This can lead to discrimination in professional and educational settings, and irreversible personal tragedies. These kinds of linguistic misperceptions are among the reasons why sociolinguistics is important to everyone in our society. People need to know more about how dialects work to avoid language prejudice.
How does sociolinguistics help us?
The study of sociolinguistics can build people’s awareness of different varieties of English and help us become more respectful to all other languages and their dialects.
Why do some people use non-standard dialects?
However, some speakers of a non-standard dialect prefer to use it to demonstrate their sense of belonging to their community or social/ethnic group. Besides all these variations, there are individual variations of language use that are called idiolects.
Why is understanding variation important?
Understanding variation within a language is important for every member of our community, and especially for those who receive a college education. Sociolinguistics investigates all these language variations. Different factors affect how a language is spoken within a country.
Why is English a major language?
English is a major language because Great Britain and the United States have been powerful militarily, politically, and economically for the past two centuries. Crystal (2003, p.
Which hemisphere is the language area in?
The language area of the brain surrounds the Sylvian fissure in the dominant hemisphere and is divided into two major components...
Is language a species-specific capability?
Two senses have already been distinguished: language as a universal species-specific capability of the human race and languages as the various manifestations of that capability, as with English, French, Latin, Swahili, Malay, and so on.
Is language imprecise or superficially motivated?
In general usage, languages are necessarily imprecise, or they would lack the flexibility and infinite extensibility demanded of them.
Do two people speak the same language?
It has already been pointed out that no two persons speak exactly alike, and, within the area of all but the smallest speech communities (groups of people speaking the same language), there are subdivisions of recognizably different types of language, called dialects, that do not, however, render intercommunication impossible or markedly difficult. Because intercomprehensibility lies along a scale, the degree required for two or more forms of speech to qualify as dialects of a single language, instead of being regarded as separate languages, is not easy to quantify or to lay down in advance, and the actual cutoff point must in the last resort be arbitrary. In practice, however, the terms dialect and language can be used with reasonable agreement. One speaks of different dialects of English (Southern British English, Northern British English, Scottish English, Midwest American English, New England American English, Australian English, and so on, with, of course, many more delicately distinguished subdialects within these very general categories), but no one would speak of Welsh and English or of Irish and English as dialects of a single language, although they are spoken within the same areas and often by people living in the same villages as each other.
Where is English spoken?
British English is the English language as spoken and written in the United Kingdom or, more broadly, throughout the British Isles. Slight regional variations exist in formal, written English in the United Kingdom . English is a West Germanic language that originated from the Anglo-Frisian dialects brought to Britain by Germanic settlers ...
What is the most spoken language in the United States?
English is the most widely spoken language in the United States and is the common language used by the federal government, considered the de facto language of the country because of its widespread use. English has been given official status by 32 of the 50 state governments.
What is the first language spoken in Canada?
Canadian English is the set of varieties of English native to Canada. According to the 2011 census, English was the first language of approximately 19 million Canadians (57% of the population) the remainder of the population were native speakers of Canadian French (22%) or other languages (allophones, 21%).
When did English start in India?
Indian English. English public instruction began in India in the 1830s during the rule of the East India Company (India was then, and is today, one of the most linguistically diverse regions of the world). In 1835, English replaced Persian as the official language of the Company. Lord Macaulay played a major role in introducing English ...
Where did the English language originate?
English is a West Germanic language that originated from the Anglo-Frisian dialects brought to Britain by Germanic settlers from various parts of what is now northwest Germany and the northern Netherlands. The resident population at this time was generally speaking Common Brittonic—the insular variety of continental Celtic, ...
Is Filipino a language?
Philippine English is any variety of English (similar and related to American English) native to the Philippines, including those used by the media and the vast majority of educated Filipinos. English is taught in schools as one of the two official languages of the country, the other being Filipino (Tagalog).
Is Australian English the official language of Australia?
Australian English. Australian English is a major variety of the English language, used throughout Australia. Although English has no official status in the constitution, Australian English is the country’s national and de facto official language as it is the first language of the majority of the population. Australian English began to diverge ...
What is variation in language?
Variability is inherent in human language: a single speaker will use different linguistic forms on different occasions, and different speakers of a language will express the same meanings using different forms. Most of this variation is highly systematic: speakers of a language make choices in pronunciation, morphology, word choice, ...
What is linguistic variation?
The term linguistic variation (or simply variation) refers to regional, social, or contextual differences in the ways that a particular language is used. Variation between languages, dialects, and speakers is known as interspeaker variation. Variation within the language of a single speaker is called intraspeaker variation .
When did sociolinguistics start?
Since the rise of sociolinguistics in the 1960s, interest in linguistic variation (also called linguistic variability) has developed rapidly. R.L. Trask notes that "variation, far from being peripheral and inconsequential, is a vital part of ordinary linguistic behavior" ( Key Concepts in Language and Linguistics, 2007). The formal study of variation is known as variationist (socio)linguistics .
What are the choices that speakers make in a language?
Most of this variation is highly systematic: speakers of a language make choices in pronunciation, morphology, word choice, and grammar depending on a number of non-linguistic factors.
Is variation an inherent characteristic of all languages at all times?
"Variation is an inherent characteristic of all languages at all times," say Wardhaugh and Fuller, "and the patterns exhibited in this variation carry social meanings" ( An Introduction to Sociolinguistics, 2015). Dimitri Otis/Getty Images
Is alternation a sociolinguistic variation?
With linguistic variation, the alternation between elements is categorically constrained by the linguistic context in which they occur. With sociolinguistic variation, speakers can choose between elements in the same linguistic context and, hence the alternation is probabilistic.
Why do people have different dialects?
Varieties of language develop for a number of reasons: differences can come about for geographical reasons; people who live in different geographic areas often develop distinct dialects—variations of standard English. Those who belong to a specific group, often academic or professional, tend to adopt jargon that is known to and understood by only members of that select group. Even individuals develop idiolects, their own specific ways of speaking.
What is a dialect?
A dialect is a regional or social variety of a language distinguished by pronunciation , grammar, and/or vocabulary. The term dialect is often used to characterize a way of speaking ...
What is an idiolect of multilingual language?
For example, if you are multilingual and can speak in different registers and styles, your idiolect comprises several languages, each with multiple registers and styles. In the end, language varieties come down to judgments, often "illogical," that are, according to Edward Finegan in "Language: Its Structure and Use":
What is lect in linguistics?
Richard Nordquist. Updated January 23, 2020. In sociolinguistics, language variety—also called lect —is a general term for any distinctive form of a language or linguistic expression. Linguists commonly use language variety (or simply variety) as a cover term for any of the overlapping subcategories of a language, including dialect , register , ...
Why do linguists prefer the term "lect"?
Due to this kind of dialectic prejudice, Suzanne Romaine, in "Language in Society," notes: "Many linguists now prefer the term variety or lect to avoid the sometimes pejorative connotations that the term ' dialect ' has.".
What is dialect prejudice?
Certain dialects have gained negative connotations in the U.S. as well as in other countries. Indeed, the term dialect prejudice refers to discrimination based on a person's dialect or way of speaking . Dialect prejudice is a type of linguicism —discrimination based on dialect.
What is jargon in writing?
Jargon refers to the specialized language of a professional or occupational group. Such language is often meaningless to outsiders. American poet David Lehman has described jargon as "the verbal sleight of hand that makes the old hat seem newly fashionable; it gives an air of novelty and specious profundity to ideas that, if stated directly, would seem superficial, stale, frivolous, or false."