Not Just One Language (Diglossia)

Summary

In this LangFocus video, Paul explains the linguistic concept of diglossia, where a community uses two distinct varieties of a language for different contexts: a 'Low Variety' for everyday speech and a 'High Variety' for formal or written communication. He illustrates this with examples from Arabic, Italian, and German, highlighting how local dialects often serve as the Low Variety, while standard forms act as the High Variety. Paul also discusses the flexibility and evolution of Low Varieties versus the stability of High Varieties. The video concludes with ways viewers can support the LangFocus and GEOFocus channels, from Patreon pledges to volunteering for research or editing.

Takeaways

• 🗣️ 'Diglossia' refers to a situation where a community uses two different languages or varieties of the same language for different contexts.
• 📚 The 'Low Variety' is used for casual, everyday communication and is usually learned naturally without formal instruction.
• ✍️ The 'High Variety' is used for formal, official purposes and is learned at school with formal grammar and writing instruction.
• 🔒 Communities often view the High Variety as the 'pure' or 'correct' form of the language, whereas the Low Variety is more flexible and prone to change.
• 🌍 Diglossia is common worldwide, with Arabic being a prominent example where dialects serve as the Low Variety and Standard Arabic as the High Variety.
• 🇮🇹 In Italy, regional languages function as the Low Variety while Standard Italian serves as the High Variety, particularly in formal situations.
• 🇩🇪 In Germany, Standard German is the High Variety, while various regional dialects act as Low Varieties, although some are fading.
• 🇨🇭 In Switzerland, spoken dialects are widely used even in informal situations, with Standard German reserved mainly for writing and reading.
• 🤔 For those unfamiliar with it, Diglossia can seem unusual, but it highlights the complex and fascinating ways languages are used in different social contexts.
• 💖 Support for the LangFocus channel can be given through Patreon, one-time donations on YouTube, sharing videos, or volunteering for the GEOFocus channel.

Q & A

What does the term 'Diglossia' refer to?

Diglossia refers to a situation in which a community uses two different languages or two significantly different varieties of one language for different situations. Typically, one is used for casual, everyday interaction, and the other is used for formal purposes.

What is the difference between 'Low Variety' and 'High Variety' languages in a diglossic situation?

'Low Variety' is typically used for daily communication and is learned informally, often as a spoken language without formal grammar or writing rules. 'High Variety' is the more formal version of the language, learned at school, with standard grammar and writing rules.

How does the use of 'Low Variety' and 'High Variety' languages reflect societal views on language?

In many cases, the 'High Variety' is seen as the 'pure' or 'correct' form of the language and is considered fixed, while the 'Low Variety' is more flexible and evolves over time, as it is not subject to formal rules.

Can you give an example of Diglossia in the Arabic-speaking world?

In Arabic-speaking countries, people use local dialects for casual conversation, but Standard Arabic is used for writing, formal speeches, news broadcasts, and when communicating with speakers of other dialects.

Why is Standard Arabic used as a 'bridge language'?

Standard Arabic is used as a bridge language when people from different Arabic-speaking regions encounter difficulties communicating in their local dialects. It helps overcome communication barriers but is only used when necessary.

What is the situation of Diglossia in Italy?

In Italy, there are regional languages that act as the 'Low Variety' in local communities, while Standard Italian is the 'High Variety' used in formal settings. Many people speak regional languages at home but switch to Standard Italian in more formal situations.

How does Diglossia manifest in Switzerland with the German language?

In Switzerland, Diglossia is primarily a distinction between spoken and written communication. Swiss people use their dialects (the 'Low Variety') in spoken situations, while Standard German (the 'High Variety') is used for reading and writing.

Why do people in Switzerland not consider their dialects as 'Low Variety'?

In Switzerland, people do not accept the idea of their dialects being a 'Low Variety' because they use these dialects in almost all spoken contexts, even informal ones. They reserve Standard German only for reading and writing.

How does the concept of Diglossia challenge people unfamiliar with it?

For those unfamiliar with Diglossia, it may seem difficult to understand, as it involves the use of two distinct varieties of language in different contexts. This duality of language use can be puzzling to people who do not have such a distinction in their own language practices.

How can people support the LangFocus channel aside from financial contributions?

People can support the LangFocus channel by sharing videos on social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter. Additionally, they can help by volunteering their time for research or writing for the GEOFocus channel or by assisting with editing GEOFocus videos.