Dialect

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Dialect

• Form of a language distinctive of a region or
  social group
• Includes pronunciation, grammar, vocabulary
• Accent only refers to differences in
  pronunciation

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• Dialects of a language are mutually intelligible,
  for the most part
• Distinctions between dialects and languages rest
  on political and cultural criteria (not on
  strictly linguistic factors)

3

• Norwegian, Swedish and Danish are mutually
  intelligible but are considered separate
  languages
• Dialects on the German-Dutch border similar but
  each looks to language of capital as reference

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Difference model

• All languages/dialects
• are rule-governed
• serve the needs of their speakers
• Standard is just one dialect
• Dialects differ but all are good.

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Deficit model

• Socially stigmatized dialects are
• linguistically and cognitively deficient.
• Standard speech is the only correct form.
• Deviations from standard are wrong, lazy,
• careless.

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Standard dialect

• Language variety
• with highest prestige
• used in print
• taught in schools
• spoken by educated

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Formal standard

• Prescribed by grammar books, dictionaries, etc.
• Based on written language of established writers
• Almost universally ignored in speech

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Informal standard

• Language usage of groups with high social
  prestige those who hire and teach
• Some forms rejected as too correct

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Language attitudes

• Attitudes toward non-standard dialects reflect
  attitudes toward their speakers.
• Non-standard may be dismissed as not even English.

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Variation by class

• Features not exclusive to a class
• Different frequency of usage
• All classes vary speech by context

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• All classes use more prestige forms in most
  careful speech
• Shows knowledge of prestige forms
• Share evaluation of forms

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• If linguistic change in progress, highest usage
  of prestige form by lower middle class
• Women use more standard forms than men of their
  class

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Retention of stigmatized speech

• Reinforced by peer group, rejected if dont
  conform
• Identify with home culture and close network
• Revolt against outsiders

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Struggle of teacher vs. student

• Teacher probably uses non-standard form in casual
  speech though unaware
• Teacher condemns non-standard form and not aware
  of shifting style by context

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• Students not aware that use standard forms in
  some contexts
• Students feel teacher is trying to abolish their
  form of speech and resist