Unit Five: Language and Context

Language varies according to social class, ethnic group, and gender. It also varies according to the social context or situation. The same speaker uses different linguistic varieties in different situations for different purposes. The total number of linguistic varieties used by a particular community is called its verbal repertoire. Test Your Understanding What are the factors according to which language varies? The total number of linguistic varieties used by a particular community is called its Register When linguistic varieties are linked to particular occupations or sub!ects, they are called registers. Style "tyle is what an individual speaker does with a language in relation to other people. "tyle is essentially interactive and social. It deals with interpersonal and intergroup relations. "tyles are classified into formal style and informal style. Formal style is the official or structural conversation used in public meetings, work places, or used while speaking to elders. Informal style is the casual way of speaking among members of the family or among friends. It is also the type that is used in common places. Slang #ocabulary that is extremely informal is called slang. Test Your Understanding What are the two types of style? Informal style is what we use while speaking to elders. $True or %alse& #ocabulary that is extremely formal is called slang. $True or %alse& .

Situational Code-S it!"ing "peakers switch $change& from one style to another depending on the situation. It may be from a formal to an informal style or vice'versa. This is called situational !ode-s it!"ing. Language S it!"ing When a speaker switches from one language to another, it is called language s it!"ing. (xample) In Luxembourg, Fren!" is the official language and is the language of public signs and notices. It is also the language of higher education. #erman is the early medium of education and also the language of books and newspapers. Luxembourgis" is used mostly for children*s literature. "o, in Luxembourg, a speaker often has to indulge in language switching depending on the situation. $iglossia This term was coined by +harles %erguson. ,iaglossia is two distinct varieties of a language that exist side by side in society. The two varieties are the high variety and the low variety. The high variety is found in sermons, formal letters, political speeches, university lectures, and broadcasting. The low variety is used in conversation with family and friends, in folk literature, and in soap serials. Test Your Understanding Who coined the term diglossia? What are the three languages spoken in Luxembourg? ,iglossia involves two varieties and .

When a speaker switches style depending on the situation it is called . When a speaker switches language depending on the situation, it is called . The low variety diglossia is used in broadcasting and in university lectures. $True or %alse&