What is linguistic variation?

Summary

This talk explores the concept of linguistic variation in English, using personal names as examples. Variation involves the use of different forms or 'variants' of language, which can occur at any linguistic level, such as phonetic, syntactic, or morphological. The speaker highlights how social factors like social networks, institutional settings, and social distance influence the choice of variant. The talk also distinguishes variation from homonyms, emphasizing that while homonyms have one form with multiple meanings, variation involves multiple forms for the same referent.

Takeaways

• 😀 Variation in language is the production and use of different forms or versions of the same linguistic element.
• 🏷 The concept of 'variants' refers to the different forms that can be used to express the same meaning or refer to the same entity.
• 🌐 Variation can occur at any linguistic level, including phonetic, syntactic, morphological, and even in the use of voice.
• 🌐 Geo-linguistic variation can indicate a specific regional variety of English, such as the difference between 'think' and 'sink' in standard and Irish English.
• 💡 Social factors heavily influence language variation, including social networks, institutional settings, and social distance.
• 🎭 The use of variants can also be for parody or to imitate others, indicating a playful or performative aspect of language use.
• 🤝 The choice of variant can signal social closeness or distance, as seen in the use of formal versus intimate names.
• 🌟 The speaker's personal names (Anthony, Antony, Tony, Dr., Professor, etc.) illustrate how individuals can have multiple names based on context and relationship.
• 📚 The course will explore the social linguistics of variation, including the reasons why certain variants are chosen over others.
• 🔍 Understanding variation involves looking at both the linguistic aspects and the social contexts in which language is used.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the talk?

The main topic of the talk is the social linguistics of variation in the English language.

What does the speaker use to illustrate the concept of variation?

The speaker uses his own names, such as Anthony, Antony, Tony, and others, to illustrate the concept of variation.

What is the difference between denotation and the use of names as a form of variation?

Denotation is the basic meaning of a word, such as a name distinguishing a person from others. Variation, in the context of names, refers to the different names or forms a person might be known by in different social contexts.

Why does the speaker mention Anthony Hopkins in the script?

The speaker mentions Anthony Hopkins to illustrate how a formal name can have an informal variant used among a close social network, just as Hopkins is called Tony by other actors.

What are some of the different names the speaker has been called?

The speaker has been called Anthony, Antony, Tony, Dr., Professor, Popa, Sir, and Australian, among others.

How does the speaker relate the concept of variation to language?

The speaker relates variation to language by explaining that language, like names, can have different forms or variants depending on the context, such as social networks, institutional locations, and social distance.

What are some linguistic levels on which variation can occur?

Variation can occur at phonetic, syntactic, morphological, and intonational levels of language.

What is the difference between variation and homonyms according to the speaker?

Variation involves the same referent having different expressions, whereas homonyms involve a single expression having multiple meanings.

Why do people use different variants of language?

People use different variants of language for various reasons, including social network connections, institutional settings, social distance, and for parody or imitation.

What does the speaker suggest is the more interesting aspect of variation?

The speaker suggests that the social reasons behind why people use one variant over another are more interesting than the linguistic aspects of variation.

What will the course cover regarding the social aspects of variation?

The course will cover various domains such as social networks, institutional locations, and social distance, and how these influence language variation.