49. Varieties of English

Language and Dialect

Every language is a composite of dialects. Banjarese language comprises, at least, two dialects: Banjar Hulu and Banjar Kuala dialects. Although we may not say that one dialect is better than that of another, there is an assumption that one of the dialects is regarded as a prestigious one. It seems that Banjar Kuala dialect is viewed as the prestigious dialect. This assumption is based on the fact that a speaker of Banjar Hulu dialect feels ashamed when using his dialect in the environment of Banjar Kuala speech community. Moreover, the speakers of Banjar Kuala dialect often laugh at those who speak in Banjar Hulua dialect. Furthermore, Javanese language is often divided into some dialects: Surabaya, Solo-Yogya, Banyumas dialects. Solo-Yogya dialect is viewed as the prestigious pne.

The term style refers to a language variety that is divided based on speech or speaking situation into formal and informal styles. We can speak very formally or very informally; our choice of the styles is governed by circumstances. Ceremonial occasions almost require very formal speech; public lectures are somewhat less formal; casual conversation is quite informal; and conversation between intimates on matters of little importance may be extremely informal and casual. We may try to relate the level of formality chosen to a number of factors: (1) the kind of occasion, (2) the various social, age, and other differences that exist between the participants, (3) the particular task that is involved, e.g., writing or speaking, and (4) the emotional involvement of one or more of the participants (

Speech levels

Speech levels (of Javanese language) which are divided into: honorific speech levels (krama madya and krama inggil)and non-respective speech levels (ngoko). In this relation, Soepomo Poedjosoedarmo explains that speech levels (of Javanese language) are also referred to as codes. The speech levels have special characteristics according to the speakers’ social background, the relationship to their listeners, and the speech situation (1975:30). In this relation, Clifford Geertz discusses in the frame of linguistic etiquette. As stated before, in Javanese language we recognize the complicated speech levels. 

In a monolingual speech community, varieties of a given language may be dialects, speech levels, styles, or other varieties of the language. A monolingual speaker having only one language may use his language with some varieties of the language: dialects, styles, or speech levels.

In multilingual speech community, some languages together with their variations become parts of language varieties in the community. Therefore, we can say that varieties of language may refer to a single language and its varieties such as dialect, register, style, speech levels, etc.

50.special literary vocabulary: a) Terms are generally associated with a definite branch of science. They always come in clusters. Terms are characterized by a tendency to be monosemantic. A term has a stylistic function when it is used to create an atmosphere or to characterize a person. b) Poetic and highly literary words. Poetic words belong to a definite style of language and perform in it their direct function. Poetic language has special means of communication, i.e. rhythmical arrangement, some syntactical peculiarities and certain number of special words. Poetic words claim to be, as it were, of higher rank.

c) Archaic words The word stock of a language is in an increasing state of change. In every period in the development of a literary language one can find words which will show more or less apparent changes in their meaning or usage. 3 stages in the aging process of words: 1) the beginning of the aging process when the word becomes rarely used. Such words are called obsolescent; 2) archaic words -(obsolete) are those that have already gone completely out of use but are still recognized by the English speaking community. 3) Archaic proper - words which are no longer recognized in modern English. There is another class of words which is erroneously classed as archaic, historic words. Words of this type never disappear from the language.