language varieties

LANGUAGE VARIeTIES & VARIABLES

Accent

Dialect

sociolect

idiolect

slang

It is the language spoken by a particular social group, class or subculture, whose parameters are determined by gender, age, occupation, and others.

It refers to the unique vocabulary used by particular groups of people to communicate. It is widely used in speech more than in writing and is of informal style.

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Some examples can be: a) British accent b) Australian accent c) American accent. The term accent is also used to refer to the speech of non-native speakers, who have learned a language as a second or as a foreign language.

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Slang has introduced new words such as nite, 'gram, and dis. It often gives new meanings to old words. Slang is commonly used by young people to ease communication, bonding and interaction. That is why it is considered of informal style.

References:

register

The way we speak in a given situation or in different contexts. For instance, we use different registers for work, for going to parties, school and shopping.

The language used by a group of speakers. Different groups of people who speak the same language speak it differently, but they are able to communicate and understand each other.

The language of an individual speaker with its unique characteristics is referred to as the speaker’s idiolect. Each of us has a particular way to communicate.

It refers to the characteristics of speech that convey information about the speaker’s dialect, which may reveal the country's origin of the speaker, or to which sociolinguistic group the speaker belongs.

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Some examples of sociolects can be:

1. We went shopping / We went to the store.
2. We are friends / We are partners.
3. Let me know / Throw me water.
4. I do not have money / I am without wool.

Sociolect is closely related to the academic and cultural formation of a social group, which comes to determine and condition the way people express to each other.

And why is this relevant to me?

I strongly believe that it is important to acknowledge the variations of any language such as dialects, idiolects, accents, register, slang, sociolect and so on because there are many misconceptions about what a language is supposed of should be and what a language really is. I consider that all of these variables enrich the language, its speakers and the culture of it. For me, it is essential to continue learning about them because my teaching context involves second language teaching and learning. Thus, it is paramount to be aware of the differences and how one can convey meaning. In addition, this can benefit my L2 students because they can learn that there are many ways to express something and that aspects such as having a foreign accent or slang are not necessarily bad things. Finally, I consider that these aspects of the language make the language more interesting for both the teacher and the students.

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Vermonters, New Yorkers, Texans and Hispanics in California represent variation in the way they speak English. However, they are able to communicate and understand each other.

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For instance, your idiolect includes the vocabulary related to your interests and activities whereas your pronunciation reflects the region in which you live or have lived. Also, variable styles of speaking will subtly shift depending on who you are talking to.

Fromkin, V., Rodman, R., & Hyams, N. (2018). An introduction to language. Cengage Learning. Tonkin, H. (2004). Language and society. Issues in Global Education, 178. Lewandowski, M. (2008). the Language of Soccer–a Sociolect or a register?