Standard and Non Standard Language Variation.

Question 1

Define Language variation.

Answer 1

A characteristic of language: The pronunciation, lexicon, morphology and syntax of language may vary depending on the idiolect, sociolect and dialect of a person.

Question 2

Outline the boundaries of language variation.

Answer 2

Speakers do not generally make drastic alterations in sentence word order or use novel sounds that are completely foreign to the language being spoken. Language variation does not equate with language ungrammatically, but speakers are still (often unconsciously) sensitive to what is and is not possible on their native lect.

Question 3

Outline Labov 1966 New York study.

Answer 3

Labov studied how often the final or preconsonantal (r) was sounded in words like guard, bare and beer. Use of this variable has considerable prestige in New York City.

All of the 3 lower classes: Lower Class, Working Class & Lower Middle Class are more aware of the prestige of the preconsonantal “r” , and when they think about it are more likely to change the way they speak to reflect “how they should sound” or how “post people sound”