Language Variation
A dialect is a variety of a language spoken by a group of people that is systematically different from other varieties in both structure and lexical features. All speakers of a language speak a dialect of the language. Variation is a natural part of language. The term accent, however, refers to differences in pronunciation. Many dialects involve accent or phonological differences, but they also involve morphologic, syntactic, and lexical differences.
Standard English is the target variety of English taught in education. It is also the language of the wider communities, media, and government. Nonstandard varieties are linguistically equal to standard varieties on both a structural and communicative level. However, they are often viewed as "bad," "uneducated," or "ungrammatical." These judgements about prestige are often socially and politically motivated. Linguistically all varieties are all equal. Speaking a nonstandard variety may be warranted in different contexts as speakers use language to express membership in a social group, to show solidarity, or to display cultural pride.
Speech communities are groups of speakers who share linguistic norms. They involve speakers who share a common region, race, or ethnicity. More specifically, communities of practice are people who come together for a purpose (e.g. a college). Language contributes to shaping this group's identity. Many factors such as age, gender, socioeconomic class, race, geography, and ethnicity effect language variation within speech communities.
Code-switching (or mixing) occurs when a speaker moves from one language to another or from one variety to another depending on the social situation. Code-switching is the result of a language-contact situation where speakers of two different languages come into contact over a purpose. Although, code-switching is often viewed as insufficient bilingualism, it actually requires a high proficiency in both languages.
Standard English is the target variety of English taught in education. It is also the language of the wider communities, media, and government. Nonstandard varieties are linguistically equal to standard varieties on both a structural and communicative level. However, they are often viewed as "bad," "uneducated," or "ungrammatical." These judgements about prestige are often socially and politically motivated. Linguistically all varieties are all equal. Speaking a nonstandard variety may be warranted in different contexts as speakers use language to express membership in a social group, to show solidarity, or to display cultural pride.
Speech communities are groups of speakers who share linguistic norms. They involve speakers who share a common region, race, or ethnicity. More specifically, communities of practice are people who come together for a purpose (e.g. a college). Language contributes to shaping this group's identity. Many factors such as age, gender, socioeconomic class, race, geography, and ethnicity effect language variation within speech communities.
Code-switching (or mixing) occurs when a speaker moves from one language to another or from one variety to another depending on the social situation. Code-switching is the result of a language-contact situation where speakers of two different languages come into contact over a purpose. Although, code-switching is often viewed as insufficient bilingualism, it actually requires a high proficiency in both languages.
American Dialects
All speakers of American English speak a dialect of American English. Few people speak pure Standard American English. Some speakers' dialect is closer to Standard American English, but it still may have accent or distinctive features. In addition, many people control more than one dialect as the result of schooling, working, relocation, etc.
American English includes both regional and social dialects. The map at the top of the page highlights a few of the United States regional dialects (northern, southern, midland, western). These large regional dialects also include smaller dialect regions within them. For example, New York City is its own dialect area within the northern region.
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Learn more about the linguistic features of regional dialects at this web site.
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Social and cultural factors can create distinct speech communities as well. These dialects may include local variation, but generally are spoken by members of the social group regardless of location. Examples include: Standard English, African American English, and Chicano English.