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Understanding Language Dialects and Prestige

The document discusses standard and non-standard varieties of language. It notes that while the standard variety is associated with prestige in society, no dialect is inherently superior. The distinction between standard and non-standard is political rather than linguistic. Judging or discriminating against those with non-standard dialects can lead to harm. As English has spread globally, it has developed many diverse varieties worldwide in addition to standard American and British dialects.

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Sibgha
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11 views2 pages

Understanding Language Dialects and Prestige

The document discusses standard and non-standard varieties of language. It notes that while the standard variety is associated with prestige in society, no dialect is inherently superior. The distinction between standard and non-standard is political rather than linguistic. Judging or discriminating against those with non-standard dialects can lead to harm. As English has spread globally, it has developed many diverse varieties worldwide in addition to standard American and British dialects.

Uploaded by

Sibgha
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Assignment

4/24/2020
One of the common misunderstandings of speakers of any language is the question of standard
and non-standard varieties of the language. The latter and people who speak it are considered to
be inferior to the speakers of the standard variety.

It is incorrect to believe that the standard variety is the ‘correct’ one. Every language has
dialects, and no dialect is substandard to other dialects. We all speak a dialect and we all have an
accent.

The issue of standard vs. non-standard variety of a language is not a linguistic one, but political.
The standard dialect is associated with prestige in the society. That is why many people prefer it
to other varieties. Some people feel pressured to use the standard dialect to conform to the rules
of the society.

However, people are often unaware of their own dialects/accents, and sometimes they negatively
judge those whose ways of speaking differ from their own. Often, people who speak non-
standard dialects are erroneously marked as being uneducated, not knowing English or having a
speech pathology. This can lead to discrimination in professional and educational settings.

The English language varies not only on individual and national levels but also even more on the
global level. It is becoming the language of international communication and is acquiring the
status of a global language. English is a major language because Britain and the United States
have been powerful militarily, politically, and economically. Standard American and standard
British English are just two of many varieties of the language. Many other varieties of English
(so called Englishes) can be found in countries across the world, as well as within each country
where it is widely spoken.

The speaker of standard variety cannot control people through the language but the can use in to
make people believe they are inferior and pressure people to do their bidding

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