Chapter 3 question sheet
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California State University, Fresno *
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Course
147
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Linguistics
Date
Jan 9, 2024
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docx
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3
Uploaded by LopezV97
Valerie Lopez
LING 147
Chapter 3 Languages in Society
1.
Define and explain clearly the following three terms:
Speech or Language Community
Speech or Language Community refers o the people who speak a minority language within a majority language setting.
Diglossia Diglossia refers to societal contexts with two languages. The community uses one language for certain situations and the other language for other situations. For example, a minority language may be used at home, whereas the majority language is used for work.
Transglossia
Transglossia refers to a dynamic communicative network with many languages that function in an interrelationship instead of being used in different situations.
2.
The combination of individual bilingualism and diglossia creates four different situations as presented in Table 3.2. (p. 46). Explain each of the four situations with one example. In your opinion, which of the four situations/labels fit our own community in Fresno? Would Transglossia be a more accurate description? Why or why not? The first situation refers to language communities that contain both diglossia and bilingualism.
An example of the first situation would be how Paraguay uses Spanish for official matters and
Gurani for identity situations. The second situation refers to two languages within a geographical
area. An example of the second situation is how the French language is used in Haiti; one
language community tends to hold more power than the other. The third situation refers to how
most people in a community are bilingual and won’t restrict a language for specific purposes. An example of the third situation is how immigrant languages are in the United States. The
fourth situation refers to mainly monolingual societies. An example of this situation is Cuba
where native languages were forced to give way to a majority language.
The third situation out of the four would best describe Fresno, but I do think Transglossia would
be a better description for our community. I think Transglossia is a better fit because languages
tend to work without penalty here or there isn’t a language noticeably more powerful than the
other.
Valerie Lopez
LING 147
3.
What is Territorial Principle and Personality Principle?
The Territorial Principle occurs when language rights or laws apply to a specific region. There are boundaries to where and when the languages can be spoken. The Personality Principle applies when recognition of the language given wherever speakers travel in a country.
4.
Explain these terms: Additive, Subtractive, Recursive, and Dynamic Bilingualism Additive Bilingualism
Additive Bilingualism is the addition of a second language and it is unlikely to replace the native
language or culture. An example of additive bilingualism is the English learners in China and Korea. These speakers do not lose their native language, rather, they gain the skills of an additional language.
Subtractive Bilingualism
Subtractive Bilingualism is when the second language and culture are learned under pressure to replace or have power over the native language. An example of subtractive bilingualism is how immigrants in the U.S., England, and Australia are pressured to learn and use English over their native language.
Recursive Bilingualism
Recursive Bilingualism refers to communities where the native, or original, language was suppressed and tries to become revitalized. An example of recursive bilingualism is the Hawaiian language in Hawaii.
Dynamic Bilingualism
Dynamic Bilingualism is the use of an entire bilingual’s linguistic resources to meet the needs to communicate in the communities with increasing migration. An example of dynamic bilingualism is how Cambodians communicate with other Cambodians while living in different countries in which they may use Khmer or English.
5.
Define language shift. What are the causes of Language Shift?
Language shift is a reduction in the number of speakers in a language or a loss of language
proficiency or usage. Language shift is caused by the death of a language, out-migration or in
migration of communities, or any economic or social opportunities.
6.
What is “three generation shift to English” in the US? How does this apply to yourself or your own family, or a someone you know?
The “three generation shift to English” is a common scenario for immigrants in the U.S where it starts with the first generation (the grandparents) mainly using their native language. This is then followed by the second generation (parents) who are typically born in the U.S. and are bilingual because the frequently speak the native language at home and the English language in social settings. The third generation (the grandchildren) are the final part of the shift where the speakers tend to be monolingual in English.
Valerie Lopez
LING 147
I feel that this shift perfectly explains my family. Both my maternal and paternal grandparents came to the US after both my parents were born in Mexico. My parents are bilingual in English and Spanish. However, although I should technically be the second-generation stage in this shift,
I am better at English than I am at Spanish.
7.
Why the English language is called “World Englishes” nowadays? In your opinion, what are the advantages and disadvantages of English as an international language?
World Englishes refers to the different varieties of English throughout the world. An advantage of having English as an international language would be an access to equal knowledge. A disadvantage to having English as an international language is the loss of cultures and languages.
I also feel that making English an international language is too forceful and would grant people their liberties.
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