Variation in speech - Key Terms

Factors that affect the way you speak (e.g. age, where you live, etc.)

• Idiolect

• Extra-linguistic variables

• Idiom

• Sociolect

True or False: Sociolect is a variety of language that is characteristic of the social background or status of its user

• True

• False

Idiolect is....

• The distinct pronunciation patterns of a group of people

• A form of common non-literal expression

• Your own individual way of speaking

• A prestige form of English pronunciation

The divisions that linguists draw between regions according to different dialects

• Diagloss

• Sociogloss

• Idiogloss

• Isogloss

Trudgill stated the following: 'There are no linguistic reasons for saying that any language is superior to any other.'

• True

• False

Mainstream dialect is spoken by people in a particular region

• True

• False

Translate the following: Bout Lunnen then divent ye myek sic a rout.

• A bout of lung disease makes you sick as a rat

• About London then don't you make such a roar' (A Newcastle Song)

• A bit of lemon can prevent you feeling sick

• The roundabout at Luton takes you on a terrible route

Welsh is a dialect

• True

• False

An attitude to language that suggests that some forms of language are more valuable than others

• Prescriptivism

• Descriptivism

In the exam, you are expected to know how 'bath' is pronounced differently in the north and south of England.

• True

• False