Understanding Language Varieties and Linguistic Registers

Language Varieties and the Standard Model

Language exhibits many variations in its use. These varieties occur for several reasons:

• Diastractic varieties: Determined by social and cultural circumstances.
• Diaphasic varieties: Indicated by circumstances derived from the speaker's intention and the specific situation.
• Diatopic varieties: Related to different geographical areas.

The standard language (the ideal language) is considered the model that all speakers must know and use. It represents the set of rules that are considered correct.

Characteristics of Learned Language

The learned language represents a higher degree of adherence to the standard language. Its main features include:

• Correct pronunciation: Avoiding phonetic vulgarisms.
• Structured syntax: Using well-structured sentences to allow for the orderly expression of ideas.
• Lexical richness: An abundance of diverse and precise vocabulary.

Features of Colloquial Language

The colloquial language is used to communicate with people with whom there is a relationship of emotional closeness. It is the most common register in daily life. While mistakes are common, it generally tends to follow the rules.

The main linguistic features of colloquial language are:

• Relaxed pronunciation: For example, "cansao" instead of "cansado".
• Use of fillers: Words used as crutches for support (e.g., "or," "well").
• Shortened forms: Such as "uni" for university or "institutional" for institutionalized.
• Emotional charge: Use of augmentative, diminutive, and derogatory suffixes (e.g., "silly").
• Abuse of general-purpose words: Overusing words like "having" or "thing".
• Frequent use of idioms: Phrases like "the mountain is not all oregano".
• Deictic expressions: Pointing to space and time (e.g., "I'm fine here").
• Exclamations and interjections: "Oh, as you know!"
• Repetition: "It is terribly, terribly difficult."
• Vocatives: "What say you, friend!"
• Simple syntax and expressive emphasis.

The Vulgar Tongue and Common Solecisms

The vulgar tongue deviates significantly from the standard language. Due to a lack of adherence to rules, mistakes occur; these are often called vulgarisms or solecisms.

These errors are diverse and affect all levels of language:

• Phonetic level: Confusion of consonants and vowels.
• Morphosyntactic level:
  • Incorrect verb forms: "you comed" or "you wented" (instead of "you came" or "walked").
  • Use of the infinitive instead of the imperative: "to sit" instead of "sit down".
• Lexical-semantic level: Confusion regarding the meaning of words.

Professional Jargon and Social Slang

Jargon is the particular form of expression used by specific social or professional groups. We can distinguish two primary types:

• Professional jargon: Linguistic varieties specific to various societal activities. These include technicalities, which are terms specific to a trade or profession.
• Social jargon (Slang): Employed by specific or marginal social groups to create a sense of identity or exclusion.