Englishes around the World - Language variation

Summary

This video explores the concept of linguistic variation in English, focusing on the differences in how language is used across different communities. It contrasts prescriptivism (the belief in a 'correct' way to speak) with descriptivism (acknowledging diverse language use). The video delves into phonological, lexical, morphological, syntactic, and pragmatic variations, illustrating these with examples from Malaysian English and other varieties. The presenter highlights how language is shaped by social factors and how variation exists both across speakers and within individuals. The video concludes with a preview of upcoming deep dives into grammatical variation.

Takeaways

• 😀 Variation in language is a key subject in linguistics, revealing differences in pronunciation, word use, grammar, and social context.
• 😀 Prescriptivism holds that there is a 'correct' way to use language, while descriptivism views all variations in language as worthy of scientific study.
• 😀 Linguists aim to understand language variation because it is deeply connected to social, cultural, and cognitive issues.
• 😀 The five levels of language variation discussed are phonological, lexical, morphological, syntactic, and pragmatic.
• 😀 Phonological variation deals with pronunciation differences, such as vowel sounds or consonant articulation across dialects.
• 😀 Lexical variation refers to differences in vocabulary choices, such as 'elevator' vs. 'lift' or 'soda' vs. 'pop'.
• 😀 Morphological variation involves differences in word structure, especially in how grammatical suffixes like '-ed' or '-s' are used.
• 😀 Syntactic variation refers to differences in sentence structures, such as negation patterns and word order.
• 😀 Pragmatic variation pertains to how language use changes based on context, such as addressing a teacher or using humor in conversation.
• 😀 Linguistic variation exists not just across different varieties of English, but also within individual speakers, depending on social factors and context.
• 😀 The use of sociolinguistic variables helps categorize variation, where speakers choose different linguistic forms based on their social context and identity.

Q & A

What is the main difference between prescriptivism and descriptivism in language?

Prescriptivism holds that there is a correct way to use language, while descriptivism acknowledges the variety of ways language can be used, viewing all these differences as worthy of scientific study.

What are the five levels of linguistic variation discussed in the video?

The five levels of linguistic variation are phonological variation, lexical variation, morphological variation, syntactic variation, and pragmatic variation.

How does phonological variation manifest in English?

Phonological variation refers to differences in pronunciation across varieties of English. For example, words like 'God' and 'butter' are pronounced differently in British and American English, and Malaysian English uses monophthongs where British or American English uses diphthongs.

What is an example of lexical variation provided in the video?

An example of lexical variation is the different terms for a sugary carbonated drink, such as 'pop,' 'soda,' or 'coke,' depending on the English variety.

What is morphological variation, and how is it demonstrated in the video?

Morphological variation involves differences in word endings or internal structures. The video highlights the absence of the third-person singular 's' in Malaysian English, as in 'it create' instead of 'it creates.'

What is syntactic variation, and how is it reflected in the video?

Syntactic variation refers to differences in sentence structure. In the video, an example from Malaysian English is 'knowledge is not come from' instead of the standard 'knowledge does not come from.'

What is pragmatic variation, and why is it significant?

Pragmatic variation refers to differences in how people use language in context, such as how humor is used or how teachers are addressed. It is important because it reflects cultural norms and social expectations.

How do sociolinguistic variables influence language use?

Sociolinguistic variables allow for different ways of expressing the same idea, and their use depends on social factors like age, gender, and cultural background. For example, phonological, morphological, and syntactic differences can reveal social identity.

Can a speaker consistently use one variant of a sociolinguistic variable?

No, sociolinguistic variation is rarely fixed. Speakers may use different variants depending on social contexts, and their use often shifts along a continuum rather than being a strict choice between one or the other.

What is an example of speaker internal variation provided in the video?

An example of speaker internal variation is how a speaker may pronounce the 'fleece vowel' differently across different words, as shown in the Australian English speaker's varying pronunciations of 'easy' and 'pleased.'