‘Embarrassing Decisions’ about a Necessary Evil: The Nature and Effects of Language Standardization
No Thumbnail Available
Date
2016-09-14
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
Whilst language standardization and standard languages are common knowledge, at least, amongst those who have experienced some formal education, the notion of a standard language being a necessary evil, that the processes involved in creating one invariably entail embarrassing decisions, and that it has negative effects on behaviour, might not necessarily be so common. It is that disparity in the conceptualization of standard languages that this paper sets out to discuss. It opens with a brief orientation towards sociolinguistics, the linguistics branch that is best equipped to deal with languages as complex social phenomena. The paper will present the classic model of the processes of language standardization and proceed to discuss some of their inevitable social effects – the stigmatization of most varieties of a language and the subsequent creation of a culture whereby constant moral and aesthetic sociolinguistic value judgements become the norm. It will be reiterated that language is primarily speech and that the notion of a standard language is a myth, an imposed ideological construct. The conclusion takes up the main ideas discussed and ends on the note that standard languages are a necessary evil, but that understanding the issues surrounding them has the potential to enhance social tolerance and harmony.
Description
Seminar
Keywords
language, speech and writing, ideology of standard, sociolinguistic value judgements, linguistic self-hatred, loss of identity, diversity and variability, self-appreciation, social tolerance