Standard American English and Dialects

The Social Nature of Language Groups and

Perceptions

The validity of communicated ideas lies not in the logic of the ideas

themselves but rather in the way in which they are communicated.

Language as a Social Construction

• Variations of Speech• Spoken and Written Sources• Community• School• Television

• Multidilectalism

“Many a cultured American is master of two levels of speech and uses them at his will.”

p.9 Krath, Hans. A Word Geography of the Eastern United States. United States, University of Michigan: 1970

Language as a Social Construction

• Speech continuum• Cultivated speech

• Common speech

• Folk speech

Language Perceptions

Just as language is socially constructed, so are the perceptions about speakers

of speech variations.

• Language boundary lines are socially created during early socialization.

• Language continuum blurs these lines.

Language Perceptions

• Identity groups• national • ethnic • racial• social• generational• regional• gender

• Stereotypes• intelligence• education• social status• manners• morality

Language PerceptionsDialectical Groupings• Stereotypes

• intelligence• education• social status• manners• morality

• SAE• high• positive

• Dialects• Low• negative

Social Stability

• “Recognizing that there is a direct link between language and the perception of social instability, scholars have given renewed attention to linguistic attitudes.”

p. 131 Preston, Dennis R. Needed Research in American Dialectics. Duke University, Duke University Press for the American Dialect Society: 2003

Social Stability

• SAE’s positive perceptions• Success• Education• Business• Politics• Media• Celebrities• Global community

• Discourages local dialects

Conclusion

• All dialects have the same functional value

• Dialects have unequal social value

The arbitrary and social nature of language construction with accompanying perceptions allows communication to be laced with multiple layers of meaning for speakers and listeners alike.

Standard American English and Dialects

The Social Nature of Language Groups and

Perceptions