Language and Diversity: Keywords Flashcards
1.
Ideolect
the language variety of an individual speaker
the language variety of an individual speaker
A language style associated with a particular social group
Dialect
A regional variety of a language distinguished by vocabulary, spelling, and pronunciation.
Ethnolect
a dialect spoken by a particular ethnic group
Genderlect
gender-based dialect
Familect
A dialect spoken within a family (coined by Harriet Powney)
code switching
the practice of alternating between two or more languages or varieties of language in conversation.
Code Mixing
The inclusion of words and phrases from one language in another
Specialist register
A set of lexical items and grammatical constructions particular to an institution or occupational group.
Convergence
Confirming to peers/ setting
Divergence
Going against the audience
Social Network
A series of social relationships that links a person directly to others, and through them indirectly to still more people.
stereotype
a widely held but fixed and oversimplified image or idea of a particular type of person or thing.
Adolonics
‘Teen speak’
colloquial/colloquialism
The use of slang or informalities in speech or writing. Not generally acceptable for formal writing, colloquialisms give a work a conversational, familiar tone. Colloquial expressions in writing include local or regional dialects.
Arbitrary
based on random choice or personal whim, rather than any reason or system
Vernacular
the language or dialect spoken by the ordinary people in a particular country or region.
Condescending
possessing an attitude of superiority, patronizing
Prestige
High standing; respect earned by accomplishments
Overt prestige
Status that is publicly acknowledged
covert prestige
Using correct grammar/ ‘overcorrect’
Non-standard forms
Words or phrases from slang or dialect e.g. I ain’t done that
Received Pronunciation (RP)
The dialect of English associated with upper-class Britons living in London and now considered standard in the United Kingdom.
Socio-economic status
A person’s position in society as determined by income, wealth, occupation, education, place of residence, and other factors
Community of practice
a group of individuals who interact regularly, developing unique ways of doing things togetherness
Deficit model
early attempt to explain differences in minority groups that contended that differences are the result of “cultural deprivation”
Restricted code
a style of language use associated with informal situations, characterized by linguistic predictability and by its dependence on the external context and on the shared knowledge and experience of the participants for conveying meaning.
Elaborate code
A style of language associated with formal situations- more common of upper class
Exophoric reference
making reference to things beyond the language of a text itself (as opposed to endophoric, which is within the language of the text), perhaps within a speaker’s immediate physical context e.g. “Look at that”.
Macro level
a wide-scale view of the role of social structures within a society
Micro level
focus on the individual and his or her interactions in specific settings
social stratification
the differentiation of society into classes based on wealth, power, production, and prestige
Hypercorrection
an attempt to be overly “correct” resulting in the production of language different from the standard (“between Harlan and I” instead of “between Harlan and me”) (Labov)
Resistance identity
Language use that deliberately intensifies the standard forms of mainstream culture.
What is slang?
Informal words or phrases used within a group to create identity or belonging
Slang often varies by region and social group.
What is rising intonation?
A speech pattern where the pitch rises at the end of a sentence, often used in statements
This pattern can indicate uncertainty or a question in some contexts.
Define multiple negation.
The use of more than one negative word in a sentence for emphasis (e.g., ‘I didn’t do nothing’)
This construction is often used in certain dialects for emphasis.
What is chronological age?
The number of years since a person’s birth
This is often used in developmental psychology.
Define biological age.
A person’s physical maturity, such as stages of puberty
Biological age can differ from chronological age.
What is social age?
Milestones or life events that mark maturity, such as marriage or parenthood
Social age reflects societal expectations.
What are non-standard morphological features?
Variations in word forms that deviate from standard grammar (e.g., ‘she go’ instead of ‘she goes’)
These features can indicate regional dialects.
What are non-standard syntactic features?
Sentence structures that deviate from standard grammar (e.g., ‘we was’ instead of ‘we were’)
Such features are often found in specific dialects.
Define vernacular culture.
A cultural group with informal social norms often reflected in their language
Vernacular culture influences communication styles.
What does formality refer to in language?
The degree of adherence to conventional language norms, influenced by context and audience
Formality can vary greatly across different settings.
What is colloquial language?
Relaxed and conversational speech; informal
Colloquial language is often used in everyday communication.
What is Taboo Language?
Words or phrases considered offensive or inappropriate in certain contexts.
Taboo language can vary greatly between cultures and can change over time.
Define Code Switching.
The practice of alternating between two or more languages or dialects in conversation.
This often occurs in bilingual or multilingual communities.
What is a Sociolect?
A language variety associated with a specific social group.
Sociolects can reflect factors like class, ethnicity, or age.
What does Overt Prestige refer to?
The status gained by using a dialect associated with culturally powerful groups.
This prestige often leads to social advantages.
What is Covert Prestige?
The status gained by using non-standard dialects within a specific group.
This can foster group identity and solidarity.
Define Accent.
A way of pronouncing words that indicates a person’s regional or social background.
Accents can significantly vary even within the same language.
What is an Idiolect?
An individual’s unique language use shaped by personal experiences.
Idiolects can include unique vocabulary, phrases, and pronunciation.
What is a Dialect?
A language variety distinguished by vocabulary, grammar, or pronunciation based on geography or social group.
Dialects can exist within the same language and can reflect regional differences.
Define Neologism.
A newly coined word or expression.
Neologisms can emerge from cultural shifts, technology, or social trends.
What is Jargon?
Specialized terminology used within a specific field or profession.
Jargon can create barriers to understanding for those outside the field.
What is Semantic Derogation?
The development of negative connotations for a previously neutral word.
This process can reflect changing social attitudes and perceptions.
What is hypercorrection?
Overcorrecting language use, often leading to errors.
Hypercorrection occurs when individuals attempt to avoid a perceived error and instead create a new mistake.
Define hegemony in a linguistic context.
Dominance achieved through societal norms, including language standardization.
Hegemony can influence which dialects or languages are considered ‘standard’ or ‘prestigious.’
What does convergence refer to in language use?
Adopting speech patterns to align with a social group.
Convergence can occur in various social settings, such as workplaces or among friends.
What is divergence in communication?
Adjusting speech to distance oneself from a group.
Divergence can be a way to assert individuality or disassociate from a particular group.
What is graphology?
The study of the visual aspects of written language, including layout and symbols.
Graphology is often used to analyze handwriting to infer personality traits.
What is register in linguistics?
A variety of language tailored to a specific situation, audience, or purpose.
Different registers can include formal, informal, technical, or colloquial language.
What are situational characteristics in communication?
The contextual factors, such as time and place, that influence communication.
These characteristics can affect how messages are delivered and interpreted.
Define vernacular.
The everyday language spoken by people in a particular region or social group.
Vernacular often contrasts with formal language and can vary widely across different areas.
Pluricentric
Language with several standard forms
Mono centric
Language with one standard form
Codification
Laying down a model for standard use of English
Semantic change + example
When meanings of words shift over time
E.g. awful originally meant ‘inspiring wonder
Neosemy
New meanings develops for word
