Sociolinguistics⑧.ppt

Sociolinguistics⑧ Xiao Long-Fu Applied Linguistics Programme School of Foreign Languages SDNU 01-26-2013 Chapter 8 Standard nonstandard English “English is a fluid and democratic language in which meanings shift and change in response to the pressure of common usage rather than the dictates of committees.” (Bill Bryson, 1996?). 美国，《纽约时报》(New York Times)记者、《难词词典》(A Dictionary of Troublesome Words)编者比尔.布莱森(Bill Bryson)曾指出，英语是一种规则比较宽泛、自由度较大的语言。 Standard nonstandard English In as early as 1905，Otto Jesperson argued，English lacks effective authorities, and, compared with French, it seems not to be as rigid. In this field of English, you can run freely at will, and do not need to be afraid of any gardeners who will ask you to follow the rules. Indeed, both Britain and the USA have appealed to set up language research academy to normalize the standards of English, but quite many authoritative linguists or VIP do not take it seriously. Standard nonstandard English Joseph Priestly, a 18th century grammarian, is one of those who are against setting up such kind of research institute to normalize English language. He said: do not set up authoritative organizations to normalize people’s speeches. It is no good for developing the talents of a democratic country by doing things that way. The speech patterns will become perfect with the time going on. There are many debates over that, but history will have the final say. Though it may take time, it is better than the careless and inappropriate normalization made by the authoritative organizations. Standard nonstandard English What Priestly said has many followers. Thomas Jefferson then also thought that it is better not to set up language research institute to normalize the English patterns. The issue of normalizing English language often rely on the speeches of famous persons/liberties or the explanation in the dictionaries. This is surely effective. The Declaration