scholarly journals The perception and value of the new local language variety: the case of the Samogitians of periphery

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-15
Author(s):  
Monika Triaušytė
Keyword(s):  
Language Usage ◽  
Local Identity ◽  
Mental Maps ◽  
Standard Language ◽  
Local Language ◽  
Language Varieties ◽  
Perceptual Dialectology ◽  
Language Variety ◽  
Local Dialect ◽  
Methodological Principles

Dialects change, transform, and new ones – transitional, intermediate varieties between dialect(s) and standard language – emerge due to various extralinguistic factors (see Lenz 2010, 296). The research shows that the variety of the periphery of Samogitia, Akmenė region has also changed (Murinienė 2018).The aim of this study is to reveal the gymnasium students’ competence to identify local intermediate variety by assessing it from the perspective of three language varieties – dialect, semi-dialect (intermediate variety) and standard language, and also its value. The data was obtained from a questionnaire, based on the methodological principles of sociolinguistics and perceptual dialectology, to reveal attitudes of young residents of Akmenė region.The analysis shows that gymnasium students, according to their verbalised and visualised attitudes, identify the local variety as a semi-dialect and reflect a less marked dialect. Respondents call it semi-Samogitian dialect, semi-Samogitian and semi-Highland dialect/standard language. In the mental maps, the local dialect is also marked as a semi-dialect and is located between Šiauliai and Mažeikiai, which reveals the reflected peripherality of the local language variety.According to the associations with users of semi-dialect, this variety acquires a high value compared to the (traditional) dialect. The user of the intermediate language variety is described as adaptable, flexible, and simultaneously modern, but not the person who abandons the traditions. The local language variety is important for expressing the local identity because the standard language usage is not recognised among the local dialect users as a conscious separation from the community if it is used in informal situations.

scholarly journals Research of the images of standard Lithuanian in an area of the standard language: the case of Kaunas district gymnasium

2019 ◽  
pp. 1-25
Author(s):  
Laura Geržotaitė
Keyword(s):  
Young People ◽  
National Language ◽  
Capital City ◽  
Mental Maps ◽  
Urban Centre ◽  
Standard Language ◽  
Perceptual Dialectology ◽  
Linguistic Code ◽  
Language And Education ◽  
Methodological Principles

The present study explores the images of standard Lithuanian of young people at a gymnasium located in the area of the standard language. The data were obtained from a questionnaire based on the methodological principles of perceptual dialectology. The image of the standard language in the consciousness of the respondents emerges from the analysis of the questionnaire data: the frequency of linguistic codes, the mental maps of the standard language areas, and associations of the standard language. The analysis of the data shows that the gymnasium students tend to distance themselves from the regional linguistic code. The respondents’ disassociation from the local variety and their stronger preference for the code of the standard language is probably related to their sense of language security in the area of the linguistic homeland (including that of the standard language). The mental maps show that the young people associate the standard Lithuanian with the larger or smaller area of central Lithuania, which includes cities (Kaunas, Vilnius), adjacent non-dialect areas (Jonava, Kaišiadorys), and one or two dialect zones; it nearly overlaps the area of the standard language delineated in the second decade of the twenty-first century. Vilnius is the part of this image – probably of its status of the capital city and a significant social, cultural, and urban centre of attraction. The gymnasium students think that speakers of the standard language are city dwellers first and foremost, while the mental connection between the code of standard language and education occurs less often. Such views might have emerged due to the location of the city – hence that of the respondents’ linguistic homeland. Identifying the standard language user as an ordinary person or a Lithuanian could most likely be explained by the fact that the standard language is not only a national language to the young people: it is also an equivalent of their linguistic code. The gymnasium students do not associate the standard language with linguistic norms (the correct use of language). The consistency of the young generation’s attitudes (both those visualised on the maps and verbalised in the questionnaire answers) suggests the high value of the variety spoken in the area they associate with the standard language. The results of the study provide insights into the functioning, vitality, and continuity of the standard language in this area.  

The importance of intra-linguistic diversity in teaching Slovenian as the first language

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 1-17
Author(s):  
Jerca Vogel
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
Linguistic Diversity ◽  
Language Teaching ◽  
First Language ◽  
Standard Language ◽  
Language Varieties ◽  
Stratification Theory ◽  
Language Variety ◽  
Main Culture

Abstract In recent decades, Slovenian sociolinguistic situation and within the functions of different language varieties have dramatically changed. In spite of this process, the standard language remains a language variety that enables an individual to participate equally in educational and public life. As the Slovenian schools are not successful enough in developing of the discursive flexibility and mastering of the standard language, in the article, the functions of Standard language in modern Slovenian-speaking society is described; the specific groups of primary Slovenian language speakers are defined, and some solutions for improving the first language learning are suggested. In 1990’s, in opposite to the prevailing traditional structural language-stratification theory, the new classification of the primary sociolects, based on the English functional linguistics, by A. E. Skubic was represented. According to his theory, the sociolects are defined as non-hierarchically ordered cultivated or marginal language varieties that are used and identified with by different social groups. Based on Skubic’s classification, two main groups of primary-Slovenian language speakers can be described. The speakers of the cultivated primary sociolects are mostly self-confident users of language, identifying themselves with the main culture. In opposite, the speakers of the marginal sociolects could be de-privileged due to their linguistic deficit in standard language and micro-cultural discursive patterns, used in educational or public contexts. As it is suggested, to improve students’ linguistic competence and diminish deficits, the discursive flexibility should be understood as a complex awareness, consisting of cognitive, emotional-evaluative and active dimensions. Therefore, the basic principle of first language teaching should become the extended holistic principle, emphasizing the inclusion of standard and different non-standard language varieties, observation of their different functions in specific communicative situations and reflection about the complex context, that can be implemented to first language teaching in all basic phases of learning.

scholarly journals On the external standardization of the language of Serbs

2008 ◽  
pp. 365-383 ◽  
Author(s):  
Prvoslav Radic
Keyword(s):  
National Identity ◽  
Standard Language ◽  
Language Varieties ◽  
Language Variety ◽  
European Culture ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Language Characteristics ◽  
The One ◽  
Linguistic Engineering ◽  
The 19Th Century

The weakening of the SFRY (Socialist Federative Republic of Yugoslavia) which was followed by its dissolution, had an impact on a wide range of issues, one of them being the degradation of the so called Serbo-Croatian language. Not only did the external political influences contribute to the dissolution of the SFRY, but they also play a part in the linguistic profiling of new standard varieties today. However, as the dissolution of Yugoslavia couldn't have been imagined without consequences for Serbs primarily, the transformation of the 'Serbo-Croatian' language into a series of new language norms-successors of the old ones, cannot take place without challenging the rights of the great number of Serbs who live outside of Serbia. These are the rights that primarily refer to the linguistic and social identity - therefore the national identity. The best illustration of this are the external influences in the domain of linguistic engineering today, and these influences can basically be divided into extensive (e. g. commercials, radio and TV programmes) and intensive (textbooks, handbooks etc). The aim of this study is the analysis of those different kinds of pressures put on the standard variety of the language of Serbs. From the domain of the extensive influences (commercials) there is an example of the instruction given on a tube of toothpaste (Vademecum laboratories, Perfection 5 - Schwarzkopf & Henkel, Dusseldorf - Germany), and as an example of the intensive influences of this type, there is an American textbook (R. Alexander, E. Elias-Bursa} Bosnian, Croatian, Serbian, a Textbook, With Exercises and Basic Grammar, The University of Wisconsin Press, 2006). Both of these language materials proved to be highly compatible when it comes to the characteristics that should become an integral part of the standard language variety of Serbs, and apparently only the Serbs who live in Serbia. Among the language characteristics which are 'typically Serbian' the most prominent are: ekavian dialect ('lepa deca', not: 'lijepa djeca'), the 'da + prezent' construction ('moram da citam', not: 'moram citati'), the prepositional form 'sa' ('sa limunom', not: 's limunom'), as well as many other characteristics like interrogative sentences beginning with da li ('Da li si student?', not 'Jesi li student?') etc. As it follows the newly formed political borders in the area of the former SFRY, the contemporary linguistic engineering has engaged itself in creation of the new standard language varieties, including the one (or should we say, primarily the one) that belongs to the Serbs. However, the Serbs don't have the need for the re-standardization of their language (which became widely familiar to the European community since the 17th century, and it underwent the process of standardization at the beginning of the 19th century owing to the work of Vuk Karadzic) after the dissolution of SFRY, especially if it would be carried out from the outside and not take into account all the entities of this nation, e. g. the Serbs in Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro etc. Because it is those Serbs who have always contributed significantly to the culture, science, and the overall identity of the Serbs generally, doing an immense favor to the European and even the world culture, and science in general. That is why the European culture - if it seeks to remain multiethnic and democratic - and other cultures similar to her, must allow the Serbs to preserve their cultural and national identity, wherever they may live - and the best proof of this will be its attitude towards the standard language variety which was established by Serbs almost two centuries ago.

Mutual Intelligibility of Standard and Regional Dutch Language Varieties

2008 ◽  
Vol 2 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 101-117 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leen Impe ◽  
Dirk Geeraerts ◽  
Dirk Speelman
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Study ◽  
Lexical Decision ◽  
Lexical Decision Task ◽  
Decision Task ◽  
Standard Language ◽  
Language Varieties ◽  
Language Variety ◽  
Computer Controlled ◽  
Dutch Language

In this experimental study, we aim to arrive at a global picture of the mutual intelligibility of various Dutch language varieties by carrying out a computer-controlled lexical decision task in which ten target varieties are evaluated – the Belgian and Netherlandic Dutch standard language as well as four regional varieties of both countries. We auditorily presented real as well as pseudo-words in various varieties of Dutch to Netherlandic and Belgian test subjects, who were asked to decide as quickly as possible whether the items were existing Dutch words or not. The experiment's working assumption is that the faster the subjects react, the better the intelligibility of (the language variety of) the word concerned.

scholarly journals Over de tweestrijd tussen taalnorm en taalrealiteit : Hoe NT2-leerkrachten uit een Gentse school worstelen met niet-standaardtalige variatie in het NT2-onderwijs

2019 ◽  
Vol 57 (3) ◽  
pp. 205-224
Author(s):  
Chloé Lybaert ◽  
Ella van Hest ◽  
Sara Van Cleemputte
Keyword(s):  
Second Language ◽  
Empirical Study ◽  
Official Language ◽  
Standard Language ◽  
Language Varieties ◽  
Regional Dialects ◽  
Language Variety ◽  
Daily Interactions

Abstract Flanders, the Dutch-speaking part of Belgium, shows a strong presence of non-standard language varieties, such as tussentaal (lit. ‘in-between language’) or regional dialects. However, Dutch as a second language (L2) education in Flanders mainly focuses on (Belgian) Standard Dutch, the official language variety in Flanders. Newcomers settling in Flanders seem to experience a large gap between the standard language advocated in policy and education and the multitude of non-standard language varieties they encounter in daily interactions. L2 teachers in Flanders are thus dealing with students who often struggle to communicate with L1 speakers of Dutch. In this empirical study, we address this issue by probing the opinions of L2 teachers: do they believe tussentaal and dialects form a communication threshold for their students? To what extent do they focus on non-standard language during their lessons, and what reservations or doubts do they possibly have about teaching non-standard language in the classroom? To answer these questions, we draw on fieldwork conducted in the East Flemish city of Ghent.

scholarly journals Augschburgerisch auf Facebook: Enregisterment und Mediatisierung eines urbanen Dialekts

2020 ◽  
Vol 73 (1) ◽  
pp. 239-268
Author(s):  
Konstantin Niehaus
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Urban Space ◽  
Local Identity ◽  
Local Variety ◽  
Local Dialect ◽  
Close Proximity

AbstractThis article examines language and local identity in an urban space analysing the enregisterment of a local variety at one of the most relevant dialect borders in Germany: the Bavarian city of Augsburg which is in close proximity to both Upper Bavaria and Bavaria’s capital Munich. The local dialect of Augsburg mixes Swabian-Alemannic and Bavarian features and it is because of this mix that Swabians, the group to which the Augsburgians are generally deemed to belong to, are often regarded not to be ‘proper’ Bavarian speakers. Augschburgerisch has become a stylized register with authenticated sociolinguistic features and can thus be employed to construct local identity and index a stereotyped group of speakers, e. g. that local dialect speakers are down-to-earth but grumpy and close-lipped towards strangers. This study examines Augsburgian on social media by qualitatively analysing posts from a local Facebook group. In these posts, authentification practices are used to resolve the ambiguous nature of what it means to be ‘Bavarian’ and the intricacies imposed on the speakers by the border situation while also highlighting the users’ creativity via ironic role alignments.

scholarly journals Variation in the input: a case study of manner class frequencies

2012 ◽  
Vol 40 (5) ◽  
pp. 1091-1122 ◽  
Author(s):  
ROBERT DALAND
Keyword(s):  
Frequency Variation ◽  
Natural Background ◽  
Frequency Distributions ◽  
Language Varieties ◽  
Ergodic Processes ◽  
Language Variety ◽  
Sources Of Variation ◽  
Manner Of Articulation ◽  
Discourse Topic

ABSTRACTWhat are the sources of variation in the input, and how much do they matter for language acquisition? This study examines frequency variation in manner-of-articulation classes in child and adult input. The null hypothesis is that segmental frequency distributions of language varieties are unigram (modelable by stationary, ergodic processes), and that languages are unitary (modelable as a single language variety). Experiment I showed that English segments are not unigram; they exhibit a ‘bursty’ distribution in which the local frequency varies more than expected by chance alone. Experiment II showed the English segments are approximately unitary: the natural background variation in segmental frequencies that arises within a single language variety is much larger than numerical differences across varieties. Variation in segmental frequencies seems to be driven by variation in discourse topic; topic-associated words cause bursts/lulls in local segmental frequencies. The article concludes with some methodological recommendations for comparing language samples.

scholarly journals Effects of Language Variety and Word Availability in Commercial Advertisements on Listener’s Lexical Recall

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 167-177
Author(s):  
Munerah Algernas ◽  
Yahya Aldholmi
Keyword(s):  
Future Research ◽  
Modern Standard Arabic ◽  
Standard Arabic ◽  
Language Varieties ◽  
Arabic Speakers ◽  
Language Variety ◽  
Key Word ◽  
Dialectal Arabic ◽  
Better Than ◽  
Modern Standard

Commercial advertisements in Arabic-speaking regions tend to alternate between dialectal Arabic and Modern Standard Arabic, but it is not yet clear whether language variety has any impact on listener’s lexical recall. Insight into this issue should help enterprises design their commercial advertisements in a linguistically intelligent manner. This study addresses two questions: 1) How does language variety (dialectal vs. standard) affect listener’s lexical recall in commercial advertisements? 2) Do listeners recall words that have appeared in dialectal advertisements better than those that did not appear in advertisements using the same variety? Fifteen Saudi participants responded to a forced-choice memory test with 24 yes-no questions (3 per advertisement) asking participants to report whether they heard a specific key word in eight advertisements that utilized different language varieties. The findings show that Arabic speakers tend to perceive both Modern Standard Arabic and dialectal Arabic in commercial advertisements similarly, but tend to recall the presence of a key word in an advertisement better than its absence. Future research may increase the sample size and examine more Arabic varieties.

scholarly journals LANGUAGE VARIATIONS IN DEPOK: A STUDY OF LINGUISTIC LANDSCAPE AND DIALECTOLOGY

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sri Munawarah ◽  
Frans Asisi Datang
Keyword(s):  
Local Government ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Regional Variation ◽  
Language Use ◽  
Written Language ◽  
Linguistic Landscape ◽  
Language Varieties ◽  
Language Variety ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Public Landscapes

Written languages are present in various media in public landscapes, such as notice boards, banners, or bumper stickers. Studying these simple signs is the starting point in observing how a language variety exists and interacts with other languages. It is interesting to study how the instances of written texts found in public landscapes can be an indicator of what language variety is actually used by the inhabitants of Depok. Based on its history and its geography, a hypothesis states that many speakers of Betawi language and Sundanese reside in Depok. The study is aimed at demonstrating the written language varieties found in Depok public landscapes based on written evidence which are compared with language varieties based on the regional variation (dialectology). This qualitative study used the sociogeolinguistic approach combining sociolinguistics, linguistic landscape, and dialectology (geolinguistics). The results show there are two language use distributions in Depok, the Sundanese and the Betawi language. From the landscapes, Betawi language is used in billboards, restaurant signboards, and local government banners. The study is useful for the local government in their efforts to confirm the identity of Depok people.

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