The Development of Language in the
Caribbean.
Last class we covered:
Definition\s of Language as defined by a
multiplicity of persons\ sources and deduced
our own definition by combining several.
Described features\ characteristics of
language.
Discussed Purposes of language.
Established that language is symbolic and
arbitrary-sounds, signs represent an idea.
Language is linked to identity.
COUNTRY
IDENTITY
RACE, RELIGION,
EDUCATION
LANGUAGE
The scientific study of language and its many,
complex components is called Linguistics.
According to Language Files Lingusitics is
subdivided into various specialty fields:
1. Phonetics, Phonology
2. Morphology and Syntax
3. Sociolinguistics (Creole linguistics)
4. Psycholinguistics (language based on
human psyche.)
Language is diverse
- Many forms
- Many structures
- But most (if not all) are accepted.
- In the Caribbean there are two dominant
language forms that are used:
STANDARD PIDGIN Dialectical
ENGLISH Variation (Creole)
Language identifies a specific country,
specific region Eg. Trinidad, Commonwealth
Language also associated with one’s social
identity. Eg. Someone from Trinidad vs
Jamaica vs USA. OR someone within Trinidad
from Penal vs West Moorings.
This is where dialects are imperative.
Language Variation:
Varieties of language.
The varieties of language are dependent on:
1. Geography (different continents speak diff
languages)
2. History (depending on colonization some countries
in diff parts of the world speak the same language
because they were once colonized and hence adopted
the language of the mother-country. Eg English
Speaking Caribbean, Spanish Speaking Central, South
America, Cuba were once ruled by Spain, French –
Martinique, Guadeloupe.)
3. Ethnic\ Culture.
Within these different languages eg. English
there are further varieties of English spoken
by diff groups.
Pidgin-new languages that develop from and
deviate from the original (native) language.
Eg. The development of creole from standard
English
Dialect- different varieties of language
spoken by particular groups of people
(structures of language.)
Accent- variations in pronunciation.
Source 1:
Edlin Rochford. Preparing Students for Cape
“A dialect is any variety of a language characteristic of a
particular group of speakers. The term is defined by other
factors eg. Geograpical, ethnic, socio-economic or gender
group speech patterns. A dialect is distinguished by its
particular vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation.”
Oxford Dictionary
“A lesser known language especially one that is unwritten.”
(not standardized)
Ashmini Motilal. AP Communication Studies.
“ A separate language that is mutually intelligible with
another.” It varies according to class, region, ethnicity,
situation and attitudes\ societal perception.
V. Simon and Sandra Osborne
Each language has MANY dialects
Eg. Standard English, Trinidadian standard English, J’can
standard English.
Hindustani-hindi, bougpouri etc.
Rochford assesses that for this reason every speaker of
every language is bilingual.
Ashmini Motilal assesses
Dialects distinguish one social group from another (upper
vs lower class <called a sociolect>, educated vs grass
roots, geographical vicinities.)
Dialects have commonality. Dialect refers to speech patterns
where persons speak and can understand each other. (as
opp to persons who speak diff languges and cannot
understand each other.
It is non-standard, “broken” English.
According to Merle Hodge in The Knots in
English, dialect is commonly associated to 3
types of persons-poor, uneducated, rural.
Many other Linguists reiterate the negative
stereotypes associated to dialect. Persons
often view dialect as lacking prestige and
prevent using it for fear of being
discriminated against.
Use different dialect from one situation to the next is
known as dialectical variation.
Some egs.
STANDARD ENGLISH –British Standard English eg. Go
out
-American Standard English eg. Hang
out
-Caribbean Standard English eg. Lime
PIDGIN
DIALECT
CREOLE
*Differences: vocabulary (lexicon), spelling,
pronunciation, syntax.
Generally Standard English is deemed by G’ovt, Institutions
(schools), Academia (published books) and history to be
the generally accepted (hence standard), “correct” “proper”
form of language.
Dialect is seen to be inferior, inappropriate vs superior,
appropriate SE.
This is NOT the case.
Each Language (SE, Pidgin, Dialect) has its unique
vocabulary, grammar, syntactical structures.
Since language is constantly changing, dialects are a living
form of language.
Pidgin also reflects the diversity in society (different
historical and cultural influences.)
Creole and Pidgin adheres to the rule that one’s language
depends on context. (diff people in diff places understand
each other better)
Come up with a conclusive statement based
on what we just learned.
