Ngôn ngữ học XH

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Question 1: What is meant by the term “ Language Variation”?

Differences in phonology, grammar or the lexical choices within one language

Question 2. What are the variables in the category of dialectal variation?

- Dialectal variation includes the following dialects:

- Geographical/ Regional ( regional differences)

- Temporal ( differences in different periods of time)

- Social ( differences between people from different social classes)

- Standard/ Non - standard ( Standard/ Non-standard differences)

- Idiolect ( differences of individuals)

Question 3. Diatypical variation results from the interaction between the following
3 variables of situation:
+ Fieled of discourse ( topics about which language is use to talk)

+ Mode of discourse ( relationships between the language user and the mode of
delivery

+ Tenor of discourse ( the relationships between the speaker/writer and the listener/
reader)

Question 4: What is meant by: “field of discourse?”

Topic about which language is use to talk

Question 5. What is meant by “ mode of discourse”?

Spoken language Written language


Shared situation No share situation
Online interaction ( two way ) Delay interaction ( one way )
Verbal an nonverbal editing Verbal means
No care editing Resisting, editing possible
Time pressure No time pressure
Question 6. What is meant by “ Tenor of discourse”?

The relationships between speaker/ writer and the listener/reader

Question 7. What are some cause of differences in the way people speak?

Here are some of the main causes of differences in the way people speak:

- Geography and culture: Each region, country or community has different


traditions, customs, and languages, which influence the way language is used.
- Education and income: People with different educational backgrounds and
economic conditions often have distinct pronunciation, intonation, and vocabulary.
- Age: Different generations may use different words, grammatical structures, or
speech patterns.
- Gender: Males and females often have some unique linguistic features, such as
word choice, politeness levels, and vocal quality.
- Preferences and personality: Each person can develop their own ways of speaking
that reflect their interests, character, and style.
- Communication context: The environment (e.g., workplace, family, friends)
affects the way we use language.

The diversity in language use makes communication rich and interesting. Understanding
and respecting these differences can help us communicate more effectively.

Question 8. How can the dialects of a single language be defined?

Let me explain how the dialects of a single language can be defined in the context of
English:

- Phonetics/Pronunciation: Differences in how sounds and words are pronounced,


such as the "r" sound in words like "car" or the vowel sounds in words like "bath".
- Vocabulary: Differences in the words used, their meanings, and the way they are
used idiomatically. For example, "soda" vs "pop" for a carbonated beverage.
- Grammar: Differences in grammatical structures, verb tenses, sentence structures,
etc. For instance, the use of "y'all" in some Southern US dialects.
- Semantics: Differences in the meanings associated with certain words or phrases.
For example, the word "wicked" can mean "very good" in some Boston dialects.
- Pragmatics: Differences in language use and communication styles, such as the
degree of directness or politeness.

The dialects of English are often defined by geographic regions, socioeconomic factors,
ethnic influences, and historical developments. As long as these linguistic differences are
stable and consistent within a group, they can be considered distinct dialects of the
English language. The point at which a dialect becomes a separate language is often
debated, as there is typically a continuum rather than clear-cut boundaries.

Question 9: True or False?

Change in the grammar do take the place all at once within speech community. They
take place very fast, often originaing in one region and quickly spreading to others, and
often taking place throughout the lives of several generations of speaker.

→ False

Question 10: Dialect differences tend to increase proportionately to the degree


communicative _____ between two groups

→ isolation

Part 2.

Here is a historical overview of changes in the English language:

- Old English: 449 – 1066


+ Old English evolved from Germanic languages such as Englisc, Saxon and Jute, which
migrated to Britain in the 5th century AD.
+ Old English had a complex grammatical structure with 4 word cases, 3 numbers and 2
genders.
+ The vocabulary of Old English was mainly Germanic, with some loan words from
Latin and Celtic.
- Middle English: 1066 – 1500
+ After England was invaded by the Normans in 1066, English came under significant
French influence.
+ The grammatical structure becomes simpler, with fewer word cases. Vocabulary also
receives many words borrowed from French.
+ Pronunciation characteristics also change, contributing to the creation of many new
words.
- Modern English: 1500 - present

+ This period saw an explosion in vocabulary, with many words borrowed from other
languages such as Italian, Spanish and Indian.
+ The grammatical structure is as stable as it is today, with few grammatical changes.
+ The Modern English language became widespread throughout the world, becoming the
main international language.

In short, English has undergone significant developments from Old English to the present, with
many influences from other languages. This is a continuous process of language change.

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