Understanding Linguistic Diversity: Varieties, Standards, and Taboos

Understanding Linguistic Diversity

Linguistic Communities: A linguistic community is a group of people who share the same language. However, not all members of a community speak identically.

Types of Linguistic Varieties:

• Historical Varieties: These result from changes over time.
• Geographical Varieties: Language differences develop in different regions as a language spreads across a territory.
• Social Varieties: Certain social groups (e.g., based on age, sex, or social position) align with specific language patterns.

Speakers adapt their language usage to different communicative situations.

Standard Language

The cultural level of inhabitants within a language community explains linguistic differences. Certain groups have more prestige and are seen as models of correct language use. These norms form the basis of standard language.

Characteristic Features of Standard Language:

• Rules determine what is considered correct.
• It is influenced by the speech of social groups.
• It is disseminated through teaching and media.
• It is documented in grammars and dictionaries.

Vulgar Language (Slang)

Ignorance of standard language results in slang, which includes various inaccuracies affecting different levels of language:

• Pronunciation: (e.g., vowel replacements, additions, or omissions, contractions)
• Morphology and Syntax: (e.g., laísmo, dequeísmo, loísmo)
• Vocabulary: The most common inaccuracies are due to confusing the meanings of words.

Taboo Language

Taboo words, often considered vulgar or obscene, are used in informal situations and relate to topics like sex, physiology, scatology, religion, and the supernatural.

Euphemisms

A euphemism replaces a taboo word with a more socially acceptable term, either by directly relating to the referent or by softening the negative connotations. Taboo words are avoided to prevent negative reactions from listeners.

Slang Terms

Slang terms often resort to euphemisms for taboo subjects. These terms are generalized through colloquial use and are considered part of vulgar language. They express the speaker's emotions and tensions.