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Wardhaugh Chapter 4

The document discusses several linguistic concepts: - Diglossia refers to situations where two distinct language varieties are used, with one (H variety) being used for formal contexts and the other (L variety) used informally. Examples given are Standard French vs. Haitian Creole. - Bilingualism and multilingualism refer to the ability to use more than one language, though abilities may vary. Language choice depends on context and social identity. - Code-switching refers to switching between language varieties within utterances. It can be situational, based on context, or metaphorical, based on topic. Code-switching is common worldwide.

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359 views2 pages

Wardhaugh Chapter 4

The document discusses several linguistic concepts: - Diglossia refers to situations where two distinct language varieties are used, with one (H variety) being used for formal contexts and the other (L variety) used informally. Examples given are Standard French vs. Haitian Creole. - Bilingualism and multilingualism refer to the ability to use more than one language, though abilities may vary. Language choice depends on context and social identity. - Code-switching refers to switching between language varieties within utterances. It can be situational, based on context, or metaphorical, based on topic. Code-switching is common worldwide.

Uploaded by

Jude
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Codes

- Code is a neutral term for any kind of system employed to communicate.

Diglossia
- A diglossic situation exists in a society when it has two distinct codes, one
code is employed in one set of circumstances and the other in an entirely
different set.
- High varieties and low varieties e.g. Haiti: Standard French (H) and Haitian
Creole (L).
- A key defining characteristic of diglossia is that the two varieties are kept quite
apart in their functions. One is used in one set of circumstances and the other in
an entirely different set.
- H variety can be used for sermons and formal lectures, political speeches, in
literature and for broadcasting news. L variety is used between familiars, in
giving instruction to workers in low prestige jobs or to house servants.
- The H variety is the prestigious, powerful variety; the L variety lacks prestige
and power.
- A considerable body of literature exists in the H variety while folk literature
written in the L variety does not have the same prestige.
- Children learn the L variety, sometimes they learn the H variety alongside this
but sometimes not, like in Haiti. The H variety is taught usually in a formal
setting while the L variety is learned.
- The linguistic situations in Haiti and Greece are intimately tied to power
relationships among social groups. Traditionally, in each country the H variety
has been associated with an elite and the L variety with everyone else. Diglossia
reinforces social distinctions.

Bilingualism and Multilingualism


- Monolingualism: the ability to only use one language.
- People who are bilingual or multilingual do not necessarily have exactly the
same abilities in the languages (or varieties).

- Context determines language choice. In a society in which more than one


language (or variety) is used you must find out who uses what, when, and for
what purpose if you are to be socially competent. Your language choices are
part of the social identity you claim for yourself.

Code Switching
- Most speakers command several varieties of any language they speak, and
bilingualism, even multilingualism, is the norm for many people throughout the
world rather than unilingualism.
- People are usually required to select a particular code whenever they choose to
speak, and they may also decide to switch from one code to another or to mix
codes even within sometimes very short utterances and thereby create a new
code in a process known as code-switching.
- Not all speakers are aware that they code switch.
- Situational code-switching occurs when the languages used change according
to the situations in which the conversants find themselves: they speak one
language in one situation and another in a different one. No topic change is
involved.
- When a change of topic requires a change in the language used we have
metaphorical code-switching.
There was a lot of info packed into this section with a lot of it being examples in
various language and countries.

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