Linguistic Varieties: Geographical, Social, and Situational Factors

Understanding Linguistic Variation

Diatopic (Geographical) Varieties

These relate the speaker to their territorial origin. A distinction exists between language, dialect, and local speech:

• Language: A system characterized by significant linguistic differentiation, often serving as an important vehicle for literary tradition. Sometimes, one language system has been imposed over others of the same origin.
• Dialect: A system of signs derived from a common language, with specific geographical limitations.
• Local Speech: Refers to linguistic peculiarities specific to a local character.

Diastratic (Social) Varieties

Diastratic varieties, also called sociolects, relate to the social distribution and stratification of speakers. These varieties are influenced by several factors:

• Habitat (Rural vs. Urban): Rural language may feature a more relaxed tone, less careful pronunciation, and more conservative vocabulary, whereas urban language tends to be more innovative.
• Age: Linguistic expressions often differ between younger and older generations.
• Sex/Gender: Historically, different societal roles played by men and women led to linguistic differentiation. Today's societal changes tend to equalize these linguistic roles.
• Profession/Work: Occupations contribute to differentiating language use, particularly at the lexical (vocabulary) and semantic (meaning) levels.
• Socio-cultural Level: This is a major factor contributing to different language uses and the formation of sociolects.

Diaphasic (Situational) Varieties

Diaphasic varieties, or registers, refer to how an individual speaker adapts their language use according to the specific situation or context. The choice of register is determined by several factors:

• Medium or Channel: A speaker expresses themselves differently when speaking compared to writing. Oral language is often more expressive and spontaneous, while written language is typically more structured and carefully considered.
• Subject Matter: The topic of discourse (e.g., discussing politics, philosophy, or sports news) influences language choice and style.
• Sender-Receiver Relationship: A formal, careful register is typically used when there is social distance or a need to show respect. A spontaneous, informal register is common in situations involving familiarity and close relationships.
• Speaker's Background: The speaker's personality, training, and cultural background influence their ability to choose an appropriate register. Only individuals with a sufficient command of the language code can effectively switch registers based on the circumstances.