#language and dialects

[whalesfall]

Why We Speak More Weirdly at Home

When people share a space, their collective experience can sprout its own vocabulary, known as a "familect."

[2tokyo]

LANGUAGE AND DIALECTS

Key notes for Language and dialects

Language: a system of communication used by a particular country or community (seperate countries= language)

Dialects: non-standard variety of a language (same country= dialect)

Dialect atlas: map on which dialect differences are plotted

Isogloss: line between areas with regard to one particular linguistic item

Dialect boundary: number of isoglosses

Dialects can differ in terms of:

Accents: Regional phonological distinctions

Lexis: lift VS elevator, nappies VS diapers

Standard language: dominant or prestige dialect

Celticity: the use of Irish lexis woven into English

[thebibliosphere]

Dinnae Fash.

So, just to address something because this has been brought to my attention. I’ve had a follower message me about my use of AAVE (African American Vernacular English) and how it makes them uncomfortable because although I am Nice and they love me, I am a White Woman and should not be using it.

And like, at first I thought they were kidding because ???? and there was some minor annoyance and hurt that occurred when I tried to protest that I have never intentionally used AAVE in my life, until it escalated and I was linked to a post and then embarrassed hilarity ensued when I was forced to point out, I was not in fact using AAVE, I was using SCOTS DIALECT.

So.

Just to clarify.

You’re not always going to see Perfect English on this blog, because while I am indeed a White Woman, I am also not American, nor am I English. I am Scottish, and sometimes slip into a phonetic way of typing because that’s the way me and my fellow Scottish friends talk to each other. It’s the way we speak. I have been informed several times by my husband that my text messages to my mother are largely illegible because they are mostly composed in Scots with smatterings of “proper” English thrown in just to keep things interesting..

And while I can understand the confusion, I just need to be really clear that what you are in fact seeing in some posts, is not AAVE but West Coast Scots.

I am most definitely not trying to appropriate from anyone else, and if I ever do it is not intentional and you should feel free to come and correct me because the last thing I ever want to do is hurt someone unintentionally or otherwise.

Sae dinnae fash yersels, tumblr wains, tumblr mam isnae tryin tae be nout else than hersel. Though I ken thas nae worth muckle at maist lol.