Introduction to Language Varieties

Question 1

Who was William Caxton?

Answer 1

William Caxton introduced the first printing press in 1490. His book ‘Eneydos’ (1490) tells the tale of merchants with different dialects, leading to communication problems.

Question 2

Why was English a mix of many languages between 1200 -1500 AD?

Answer 2

Due to invasions in the Middle Ages between 1200 - 1500 AD, English had a mix of many languages.

Question 3

When was the first English dictionary published?

Answer 3

The first English dictionary was published in 1755.

Question 4

What is Standardised English?

Answer 4

Standardised English = there are rules for SPAG

Question 5

How is the English Language governed?

Answer 5

The English Language is governed by cultural and contextual expectations.

Question 6

How many people speak English worldwide, and how many are native speakers?

Answer 6

1.5 to 2 billion people speak English worldwide. Between 375000 to 400000 are native English speakers.

Question 7

What is the oldest variety of English?

Answer 7

The oldest variety of English is British English, which is spoken in the UK.

Question 8

How many people are native British speakers?

Answer 8

60 million people are native British speakers.

Question 9

Which variety of English has the largest number of native speakers?

Answer 9

American English has 225 million native speakers.

Question 10

What are the issues of different language varieties?

Answer 10

• Difficulty in understanding
• Social division of different groups
• Disapproval of other’s use of English

Question 11

What is Slang?

Answer 11

Slang = a spoken language variety which is very informal and is restricted to certain groups

Question 12

What does slang do and why do people use it?

Answer 12

It gives younger people identity and excludes older speakers. It’s often heard in urban environments

Question 13

Why do some people think slang is ‘bad’ language?

Answer 13

• It’s too informal
• Makes you seem sloppy, stupid and uneducated
• People don’t understand it

Question 14

What is MEYD?

Answer 14

MEYD = Multi Ethnic Youth Dialect

Question 15

Who is Paul Kerswill?

Answer 15

Paul Kerswill is a sociolinguist who wrote an article on dialect levelling, and the phenomenon of youthspeak.

Question 16

What is Dialect Levelling?

Answer 16

Dialect Levelling = the gradual disappearance of distinctive accents and dialects as people move around the country.

Question 17

What is Estuary English?

Answer 17

Estuary English = English spoken in the southeast of England: a mixture of Queen and London English

Question 18

What is MLE?

Answer 18

MLE = Multicultural London English. A form of ‘youthspeak’ used by young people in multi-ethnic areas of London, and is a sociolect rather than a dialect.

• Immigration to the UK and new communities forming is significant to its development.
• Influenced by music (e.g. hip-hop, grime and bhangra)
• Dialect Influences = Jafaican (African Caribbean), West Indian, Cockney, Estuary English.

Question 19

What are the lexical and phonological features of MLE?

Answer 19

1. Extreme Goose Fronting = “oo” as in “goose” made further back in the mouth.
2. “T” Glottalisation = uses glottal stop instead of “t” sound
3. “L” Vocalisation = pronounce “L” as “W” (‘miwk’ instead of ‘milk’)
4. Usage of “was” even when using plural pronouns
5. Tags like “innit”

Question 20

Who is a Prescriptivist?

Answer 20

Prescriptivists:
- believe there is a ‘correct’ form of English which people should aim to use
- make judgements on ‘incorrect’ language
- disapprove of slang

Question 21

Who is a Descriptivist?

Answer 21

Descriptivists:
- accept and describe language variation without making judgements about it
- they point to the social and cultural influences that have caused language and pronunciation to change