Linguistics Theory, Foundations, and Modern Development

An Overview of Linguistics and Linguistic Applications

Linguistic Assumptions and Principles

Dialects and Language in Society

Linguistic Assumptions and Principles

Parts of Grammars

Language Change and the History of the English Language

Dialects and Language in Society

There are as many idiolects as there are speakers of English. When there are systematic differences in a language because of geographical regions, social class, or political boundaries, but the same basic grammar and there is mutual intelligibility between two speakers, they are considered dialects. "Dialect differences tend to increase proportionately to the degree of communicative isolation between groups" [Fromkin and Rodman, 277]. Accents are developed because of regional phonological or phonetic differences, and sometimes nonnative speakers' use of their native pronunciation for native words. There are some differences among regional dialects in syntax. Fromkin and Rodman point out that whereas most American English speakers will conjoin the sentence "John will eat and Mary will eat" as "John and Mary will eat," but the Ozark dialect permits "John will eat and Mary." Some people feel that the dialectization of language is the corruption of language: these "purists", however, rarely succeed in changing the language of the people. In fact, in France, recognition of local dialects has been granted because of political pressure, when they had been so long denied by law [Fromkin and Rodman, 275-294].

Certain dialects are actually minimal combinations of two languages; often just enough to permit the interaction of two societies. These are generally called pidgins. These will use just enough of each language's vocabulary and syntax to produce something that all sides can understand with little work. Pidgins, such as Tok Pisin, might be learned in six months and provide the basic level of knowledge to begin semiprofessional training, where Standard English might take sixty months (five years) [Fromkin and Rodman, 297]. Pidgins that are adopted by a community as a native language are creolized and are from that point called creoles. They are, unlike pidgins, full languages used by a limited number of people [Fromkin and Rodman, 298-299].

Dialects may also change depending on situation: formal, informal, jargon, and slang are good examples of different situational dialects. While "formal" and "informal" styles are basically "standard" with a language and are acceptable in most circles, "slang" takes on a highly informal meaning, generally not acceptable except in the most casual of circumstances. However, as slang terms become more common in general use, they switch from slang to informal use (and sometimes rise as high as formal use). Jargon, on the other hand, is professional or occupational slang, such as "phoneme" for linguistics or "byte" for computers [Fromkin and Rodman, 299-302]. Again, jargon will often pass into the "standard" language for informal or potentially formal use.

Taboos ("forbidden practices") develop with societal restriction (and different dialects, even situational dialects, may have different taboos). In particular, some words are not used in polite company because they refer to private actions, or perhaps religious ceremonies, and outside of those specific contexts, they are considered forbidden. There is no linguistic basis for taboos, but "pointing this fact out does not imply advocating the use or nonuse of any such words" [Fromkin and Rodman, 304]. Because of these taboos, euphemisms are created, replacing taboo words or avoiding unpleasant subjects. Other than George Carlin's seven "dirty" words, one does not die, but passes on, and the one who cares for them is not a mortician, but a funeral director. However, those who originally placed the taboo on words may have a point about the use of epithets: they tell us something about the users of those words, especially those who use the epithets of race, nationality, religion, or sex [Fromkin and Rodman, 302-306].

Language can be used as a weapon; however the language itself is neither intrinsically good nor bad. It merely reflects the general society in question. Individual users of a language may yet add another level of reflection, because one may use language in a sexist way and yet another uses language in an inclusive manner, even though they use the same word. More importantly, each will hear the other's statement as they themselves would use the word. Changing the language is not the answer, it is changing society's acceptance of exclusive language (most commonly seen now in sexist language, such as "Dr. Fromkin and Mrs. Fromkin," even though both Mr. and Mrs. Fromkin hold Ph.D.s).

Linguistic Assumptions and Principles

Parts of Grammars

Language Change and the History of the English Language

Linguistics Index

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