Varieties of Language

1. Dialect
A dialect is a regional or social variety of a language distinguished by pronunciation, grammar,
and vocabulary. Dialects develop when a language is spoken in relative isolation from other
speakers of the same language. This isolation can be geographic, social, or both.
Examples:
● Regional Dialects: American English, British English, Australian English, and Indian
English are all regional dialects of the English language.
● Social Dialects: The language spoken by upper-class individuals in a society may differ
from the language spoken by lower-class individuals.
Key Points:
● Dialects are mutually intelligible, meaning that speakers of different dialects of the same
language can generally understand each other.
● Dialects are not inferior or substandard forms of a language. They are simply different
ways of speaking the same language.
● Dialects can be a source of pride and identity for speakers.
2. Register
A register is a variety of a language used for a particular purpose or in a particular social setting.
Registers can vary in terms of formality, vocabulary, and grammar.
Examples:
● Formal Register: Used in academic writing, legal documents, and other formal settings.
● Informal Register: Used in everyday conversation with friends and family.
● Technical Register: Used in scientific and technical fields.
Key Points:
● Registers are often associated with specific social roles or situations.
● Speakers may switch between different registers depending on the context.
● The ability to use different registers appropriately is an important part of communicative
competence.
3. Sociolect
A sociolect is a variety of a language spoken by a particular social group. Sociolects can be
based on factors such as social class, ethnicity, age, and gender.
Examples:
● Upper-class Sociolect: May use more formal vocabulary and grammar.
● Working-class Sociolect: May use more informal vocabulary and grammar.
● Youth Sociolect: May use slang and other informal language.
Key Points:
● Sociolects can reflect the social identity of speakers.
● Sociolects can change over time as social groups change.
● Sociolects can be a source of prejudice and discrimination.
4. Ethnolects
An ethnolect is a variety of a language spoken by a particular ethnic group. Ethnolects can
reflect the cultural and historical experiences of the group.
Examples:
● African American Vernacular English (AAVE): Spoken by many African Americans in
the United States.
● Chicano English: Spoken by many Mexican Americans in the United States.
● London Jamaican: Spoken by people of Jamaican descent in London.
Key Points:
 ● Ethnolects can be a source of pride and identity for speakers.
● Ethnolects can be a barrier to communication between different ethnic groups.
● Ethnolects can be influenced by other languages spoken by the ethnic group.
5. Idiolects
An idiolect is the unique way that an individual speaks a language. Idiolects are influenced by a
variety of factors, including dialect, register, sociolect, and personal experiences.
Key Points:
● Everyone has their own idiolect.
● Idiolects can change over time.
● Idiolects can be used to identify individuals.
6. Code-Switching
Code-switching is the practice of alternating between two or more languages or dialects in the
course of a conversation. Code-switching can be used for a variety of purposes, such as to
express identity, to communicate with different audiences, or to add emphasis.
Examples:
● A bilingual speaker may switch between English and Spanish in a conversation with
another bilingual speaker.
● A speaker may switch between a formal and informal register depending on the context.
Key Points:
● Code-switching is a common practice among bilingual and multilingual speakers.
● Code-switching can be a complex and subtle linguistic phenomenon.
● Code-switching can be a source of creativity and humor.
7. Religious Registers
Religious registers are specialized varieties of a language used in religious contexts. Religious
registers can vary in terms of vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation.
Examples:
● Liturgical Language: Used in religious ceremonies and prayers.
● Scriptural Language: Used in religious texts.
● Sermonic Language: Used in religious sermons.
Key Points:
● Religious registers can be very formal and archaic.
● Religious registers can be a source of identity and community for religious groups.
● Religious registers can be difficult for outsiders to understand.
8. Slang
Slang is informal language that is not considered standard. Slang is often used by young people
and in informal settings.
Examples:
● "Cool"
● "Awesome"
● "Chill out"
Key Points:
● Slang can change rapidly.
● Slang can be specific to a particular region or social group.
● Slang can be used to express identity and solidarity.
9. Creole
A creole is a language that develops from a pidgin. A pidgin is a simplified language that
develops when speakers of different languages need to communicate with each other. Creoles
are more complex than pidgins and are often spoken as a first language.
Examples:
● Haitian Creole: Spoken in Haiti.
● Jamaican Creole: Spoken in Jamaica.
● Louisiana Creole: Spoken in Louisiana.
Key Points:
● Creoles are often spoken in former colonies.
● Creoles can be based on a variety of languages.
● Creoles are full-fledged languages with their own grammar and vocabulary.
10. Mock Language
A mock language is a way of speaking that imitates or mocks another language or dialect. Mock
languages can be used for humorous or derogatory purposes.
Examples:
● Mock Spanish: Uses Spanish words and phrases in a humorous or derogatory way.
● Mock Asian: Uses Asian languages and accents in a humorous or derogatory way.
Key Points:
● Mock languages can be offensive to speakers of the languages being mocked.
● Mock languages can perpetuate stereotypes about different groups of people.
11. Lingua Franca
A lingua franca is a language that is used for communication between speakers of different
languages. Lingua francas are often used in trade and diplomacy.
Examples:
● English: A global lingua franca.
● French: A lingua franca in many parts of Africa.
● Swahili: A lingua franca in East Africa.
Key Points:
● Lingua francas can facilitate communication between different groups of people.
● Lingua francas can be a source of power and influence.
● Lingua francas can lead to the decline of other languages.
12. Style Shifting
Style shifting is the practice of adjusting one's speech to suit the situation or audience. Style
shifting can involve changes in formality, vocabulary, and grammar.
Examples:
● A speaker may use more formal language when giving a presentation than when talking
to friends.
● A speaker may use more technical vocabulary when talking to colleagues than when
talking to family members.
Key Points:
● Style shifting is a common practice in everyday communication.
● Style shifting can be conscious or unconscious.
● Style shifting can be a way to build rapport with others.
13. Argot
Argot is a specialized vocabulary used by a particular group of people, often to exclude
outsiders. Argot can be found in various groups, such as criminals, musicians, and athletes.
Examples:
● Criminal Argot: Used by criminals to communicate with each other without being
understood by the police.
● Musician Argot: Used by musicians to talk about music theory and performance.
● Athlete Argot: Used by athletes to talk about training and competition.
Key Points:
● Argot can be a way to create a sense of community and identity within a group.
● Argot can be difficult for outsiders to understand.
● Argot can change over time.
14. Diglossia
Diglossia is a situation in which two varieties of a language are used in a community, one for
high functions and one for low functions. The high variety is typically used in formal settings,
such as education and government, while the low variety is used in informal settings, such as
everyday conversation.
Examples:
● Arabic: Classical Arabic is the high variety, while various regional dialects are the low
varieties.
● Greek: Standard Modern Greek is the high variety, while Demotic Greek is the low variety.
Key Points:
● Diglossia can be a source of social stratification.
● Diglossia can lead to language change.
● Diglossia can be a challenge for language learners.
Genderlects
Genderlects are varieties of a language that are associated with a particular gender.
Genderlects can differ in terms of vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation.
Examples:
● Women's Language: May use more polite and indirect language.
● Men's Language: May use more assertive and direct language.
Key Points:
● Genderlects are often socially constructed.
● Genderlects can change over time.
● Genderlects can be a source of prejudice and discrimination.
Muhammad Asim: Pidgins¶
A pidgin is a simplified language that develops when speakers of different languages need to
communicate with each¶
https://slidetodoc.com/dialects-accents-intermezzo-what-is-dialect-what-is/