Chapter 2 - Language Choice in Multilingual Communities

Question 1

Domain

Answer 1

Involves typical interactions between typical participants in typical settings.

Question 2

Diglossia (classic or narrow)

Answer 2

When two distinct varieties of the same language are used in the community for different and complementary functions. One is regarded as a high (H) form, the other as the low (L) form. No-one uses the high variety in everyday conversation.

Question 3

Double-nested diglossia

Answer 3

Where two language varieties exist side by side as H and L varieties, with add- itional high and low varieties within each variety.

Question 4

Double-overlapping diglossia

Answer 4

Where one language variety is used both as a high (H) and low (L) variety in different situations.

Question 5

High (H) diglossic variety

Answer 5

Variety used for formal functions and in formal contexts in a diglossic situation.

eg: French in Haiti; Standard German in Switzerland; and Classical Arabic, the language of the Quran/Koran across Arabic-speaking countries.

Question 6

Low (L) diglossic variety

Answer 6

In a diglossia, the variety used as a colloquial means of everyday communication, and especially in the home.

Question 7

Bilingualism

Answer 7

Knowledge of two languages.

Question 8

Polyglossia

Answer 8

Where more than two distinctive languages are used for different functions in a community.

Question 9

Linear polyglossia

Answer 9

Where there is more than one set of languages/language varieties which arrange themselves in order of High (H1, H2 …) and Low (L1, L2 …). There may also be inter- mediate or Middle varieties (M).

eg: The language situation for some English-educated Malaysian Hokkien Chinese. Formal Malaysian English = H1, Bahasa Malaysia = H2, Mandarin = DH (i.e. Dummy High, mainly symbolic and rarely used), colloquial Malaysian English = M1, formal Hokkien = M2, colloquial Hokkien = L1, rarely used. Other Chinese languages, e.g. Teochew = L2, not used extensively (if at all) and Bazaar Malay = L3.

Question 10

Code-switching

Answer 10

Use of more than one language during a conversation. Rapid code-switching is sometimes described as “code-meshing” or a “fused lect”.

Question 11

Affective code-switching

Answer 11

Changing language or formality level to express certain feelings or emotions.

Question 12

Emblematic code-switching

Answer 12

Changing between languages to symbolise group membership, often involving just short routine phrases in one language.

Question 13

Situational code-switching

Answer 13

Changing between languages in response to contextual factors such as changes in setting or participants.

Question 14

Metaphorical code-switching

Answer 14

Changing language varieties to draw on the social meanings associated with each variety. This kind of switching involves rhetorical skill.