1.

State the concept of language varieties properly

2. Discuss the concept of variation in sociolinguistics

3. Distinguish between written and spoken varieties of a language

4. Explain that variation in language is determined by social situations

5. Identify the variations of language in a given social setting

Summary

1. State the concept of language varieties properly

The concept of language variation is central in sociolinguistics. The English language varies on
individual, regional, national and global levels. Unfortunately, some people are unaware of
various social and regional dialects, and different varieties of English in the world.
Understanding variation within a language is important for every member of our community, and
especially for those who receive a college education. Sociolinguistics investigates all these
language variations.

Different factors affect how a language is spoken within a country. They can be regional
(geographical), ethnic (national and racial), and social (class, age, gender, socioeconomic status
and education). All these factors are interconnected. They are reflected in every language
variety’s pronunciation, vocabulary, grammatical constructions and syntax.

One of the common misunderstandings of speakers of any language is the question of standard
and non-standard varieties of the language. The latter is often called a dialect, and people who
speak it are considered to be inferior to the speakers of the standard variety.

It is erroneous 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.
All varieties of a language are systematic in their use, have a large number of speakers and thus
have their right for existence. The term dialect refers to any variety of a language, and from the
point of view of sociolinguistics, all dialects are equally correct, systematic, logical, and
meaningful

2. Discuss the concept of variation in sociolinguistics

Variation is a characteristic of language: there is more than one way of saying the same thing.
Speakers may vary pronunciation (accent), word choice or morphology and syntax (sometimes
called “grammer”). But while the diversity of variation is great, there seem to be boundaries on
variation – speakers do not generally make drastic alterations in sentence word order or use
novel sounds that are completely foreign to the language being spoken. Linguistic variation does
not equate with language ungrammaticality, but speakers are still (often unconsciously) sensitive
to what is and is not possible in their native lect.
Variationists study how a language changes by observing it. This is accomplished by looking at
authentic data. For example, variation is studied by looking at linguistic and social environments,
then the data is analyzed as the change occurs. Variation in research programs must be malleable
due to the nature of language itself. This is because language is also fluid in transition and does
not shift from one state to another instantaneously.
Language variation is a core concept in sociolinguistics. Sociolinguists investigate whether this
linguistic variation can be attributed to differences in the social characteristics of the speakers
using the language, but also investigate whether elements of the
surrounding linguistic context promote or inhibit the usage of certain structures.

3. Written and spoken language differ in many ways. However some forms of writing are
closer to speech than others, and vice versa. Below are some of the ways in which these two
forms of language differ:

 Writing is usually permanent and written texts cannot usually be changed once they
have been printed/written out.

Speech is usually transient, unless recorded, and speakers can correct themselves and
change their utterances as they go along.

 A written text can communicate across time and space for as long as the particular
language and writing system is still understood.

Speech is usually used for immediate interactions.

  Written language tends to be more complex and intricate than speech with longer
sentences and many subordinate clauses. The punctuation and layout of written texts
also have no spoken equivalent. However some forms of written language, such as
instant messages and email, are closer to spoken language.

Spoken language tends to be full of repetitions, incomplete sentences, corrections and

interruptions, with the exception of formal speeches and other scripted forms of speech,
such as news reports and scripts for plays and films.

4. Explain that variation in language is determined by social situations

Varieties of language develop for a number of reasons: differences can come about for
geographical reasons; people who live in different geographic areas often develop distinct
dialects—variations of standard English. Those who belong to a specific group, often academic
or professional, tend to adopt jargon that is known to and understood by only members of that
select group. Even individuals develop idiolects, their own specific ways of speaking.

Dialect The word dialect—which contains "lect" within the term—derives from the Greek words
dia- meaning "across, between" and legein "speak." A dialect is a regional or social variety of a
language distinguished by pronunciation, grammar, and/or vocabulary.

Register is defined as the way a speaker uses language differently in different circumstances.
Think about the words you choose, your tone of voice, even your body language. You probably
behave very differently chatting with a friend than you would at a formal dinner party or during a
job interview. These variations in formality, also called stylistic variation, are known as registers
in linguistics.

Jargon refers to the specialized language of a professional or occupational group. Such language
is often meaningless to outsiders. American poet David Lehman has described jargon as "the
verbal sleight of hand that makes the old hat seem newly fashionable; it gives an air of novelty
and specious profundity to ideas that, if stated directly, would seem superficial, stale, frivolous,
or false."

In other words, jargon is a faux method of creating a sort of dialect that only those on this inside
group can understand. Jargon has social implications similar to dialect prejudice but in reverse: It
is a way of making those who understand this particular variety of language more erudite and
learned; those who are members of the group that understands the particular jargon are
considered smart, while those on the outside are simply not bright enough to comprehend this
kind of language.

5. Identify the variations of language in a given social setting

In the effort to fulfill his daily need, he has to work together between one and another. This
cooperation can only be conducted in a community. When he needs rice, for instance, he is not
necessary to plant in a field by himself. Rice planting is the farmers’ business. Someone who
needs rice, he can buy it.

Based on the example above, we have a clear picture that all the members of a community need
help from one to another. They cannot live alone and try to fulfill their daily need such as food
and clothes by themselves. This is to say that they need working together

The cooperation among the members of a social group will run well if a a means of
communication known as language is used. By using a language man can express his ideas and
wishes to other people such as when he needs their help. There will be a close cooperation
among members of the group

The three elements mentioned above; human beings, community, and language are closely
related to each other. When there are human beings in any part of the world, there will be a
social community in which the same members of the group use a given language as a means of
communication. The existence of a language for the community is very important. This is
because, in reality, men as social beings always live in a community and need a language as a
means of interaction among them.

In the social context, language is not only a means of communication but also it is a means of
creating and maintaining social relationship among speakers of the language. As an illustration,
take an example, there are two persons in the waiting room of railway station. At first, they do
not know one and another. They, then, begin to make a talk to avoid their boredom. They talk
many things. They give information to one and another. This is the function of the language as a
means of communication and at the same time as a means of creating social relationship.