Posted: October 9th, 2022

Phonology, Language Use, and Variation

Phonology, Language Use, and Variation
In a playground, people participate in many activities. There are players and supporters of the different teams. Here, the features of both standard and non-standard English are noticeable often. For instance, players in the pitch use non-standard language which differs in vocabulary and pronunciation of different words (Kerswill, 2014). The vocabulary used by one team may have a different meaning when interpreted by the other team. However, when addressing a member of the other team in the playground, the players use standard language so that they can understand each other.
Notable incidences when the characteristics of standard and non-standard English are apparent include when one of the teams scores a goal. The scoring team uses different language to celebrate the win. In this situation, the players use non-standard English to convey a feeling of excitement and disappointment from losing (Kashima, 2019). Furthermore, when there are disputes among the players, each team uses different components of both standards and non-standard language to explain their perspective.
One of the reasons why the distinct features of language are noticeable in this scenario is because the users of language perceive Standard English as a set of rules (Falcke, Lackner, Schwan, & Kallus, 2010). The specified grammar, pronunciation, and use of vocabulary particularly in speaking are guidelines that make the standard language more complex. People prefer to speak the non-standard language as long as the communication will be effective and there is understanding from either side. Additionally, the players are from different social setting thus variance in grammar and vocabulary.
Phonology is one of the occurring non-standard characteristics of the varieties of English language. It is the combination of speech sound to produce a meaningful sound pattern. Each language has specific individual sounds that make up a speech stream. When these small segments of sounds are misplaced, the word acquires a new meaning. Contrasting sounds are different from each other and have influence on the meaning of a string (Dechaine, Burton, & Vatikiotis-Bateson, 2011) Combining these sounds helps in developing more signs which have a meaning. Therefore, the sound segments in language form words which when combined produce meaning in a sequence.
Language use is the meaning of language brought by communicating. It includes writing and speaking using the skills which have been acquired through knowledge. Language use through speaking is characterized by a common ground in which the speaker and the listener share knowledge in thinking and making assumptions (Kashima, 2019). The coordination of communication is achieved through the ability to align the actions of others at the various levels of language use. They include lexicon, syntax, speech rate and accent which create meaning of language.
Language variation is linked to pragmatics which is one of the features of standard language. Social structure and dialects are some of the factors which define the variation of a person’s language. The norms of a community develop the different linguistic values which members observe (Dechaine, Burton, & Vatikiotis-Bateson, 2011). Additionally, the difference in varieties of vocabulary and grammar also causes variation in the way people pronounce words. Moreover, the meaning of words also varies with other groups of people. Some communities may prefer speaking in non-standard language but maintain the standard language rules in writing.
The use of languages is different in informal settings because the communicators differ in terms of audience and social structure. As mentioned above, the social structure causes variation in language which directly reflects in language use (Kerswill, 2014). Similarly, people who are communicating through speaking focus on the type of audience to decide on how to use language.

References
Dechaine, R., Burton, S., & Vatikiotis-Bateson, E. (2011). Linguistics For Dummies. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons.
Falcke, L., Lackner, I., Schwan, M., & Kallus, R. (2010). Standard English vs. Non-standard English. Global English.
Kashima, Y. (2019). Language and Language Use. Noba textbook series: Psychology. Retrieved from http://noba.to/gq62cpam
Kerswill, P. (2014). Standard English, RP and the standard-non-standard relationship. ResearchGate, 1-18.

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