5.8 Language Diversity--1数字时代的商务英语写作.pdf

Verbal Communication 5.8LanguageDiversity--1 Welcome back to our course. In this section, we’ll cover languagediversity. Peoplewhousethe same language are different in a sense all speak differently. Which language each of them chooses to use depends, to a certain extent, on their cultural background. Language diversity includes several aspects. They are dialects and sociolects,taboo and euphemism,Pidgin andLinguaFranca, idioms. Now,let’sfirsthavealook at dialectsand sociolects. Dialects are versions of a language with distinctive vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation that are spoken by particular groups ofpeople or within particular regions.Dialects are geographically different and nationally,regionally or locally different. For example, American English and British English are different, Northern English dialects and Southern English dialects are different, English used in London and Manchester are different. Usually these linguistic differences include pronunciation and intonation, so they are often referred to as accent differences;however, if they also include vocabulary and grammar,they involvedialect differentiation. Dialects can play an important role in intercultural communication because people who say the same dialect often regard each other asfellowsand sharean intimaterelation. Examples of different dialects can be seen all around the world. China is no exception. Each province in China has its own dialect.Most of the time, dialects are material of cross talk and sketches,which areverypopular amongtheyouth. Sociolects are also another form of linguistic variation. In fact, some people consider a sociolect as a social dialect referring to a particular social class. Indeed, one’s social background does influence one’s choice of linguistic forms and one’s languagereveals one’s identity.In this aspect, accent is an important marker of sociolects. For example, the so-called “Received