Understanding Language Variation: Diatopic and Diastratic Variants
Understanding Language Variation
Diatopic and Diastratic Variants
Diatopic variants, often referred to as dialects or geographic variants, arise from the spatial distribution of language across different territories. These variations are fundamentally categorized into two types: local dialects and regional speech patterns.
Diastratic variants, on the other hand, are determined by the distribution of speakers across various social groups. These are influenced by social factors such as class, education, and occupation.
Language vs. Dialect
Language, in essence, is a shared psychic reality, a social sign system ingrained in the minds of its speakers, irrespective of temporary, geographical, or social factors. Within any historical or diasystemic language, there exist variants or functional languages. Each variant is distinguished by peculiarities at different levels: phonological, lexical, and grammatical.
When the focus of variation is spatial or geographical, we discuss geolects. Conversely, when examining changes at the social level, we refer to social dialects or sociolects.
Language as Diasystem
The boundaries delineating languages are defined by their ability to facilitate communication. Within a single language, functional variants exist, differentiated by factors of time, space, and the social structure of their users. Considering the Spanish language as a diasystem encompasses the Spanish spoken centuries ago, across various countries, and at all social levels. Functional languages, as Coseriu suggests, serve as diverse codes functioning in communication.
Language as Activity
Language activities or skills enable us to develop linguistic capabilities: speaking, understanding spoken language, reading, writing, and thinking. Thinking, though often a hidden activity, is also the most frequent. We use language to communicate with others and ourselves.
Language as a Product
Language as a product refers to what we create with language: oral and written texts. Oral texts are ephemeral, while written texts endure, gaining higher societal value and becoming part of the cultural heritage of human communities.
The Language and Technical Aspects
We possess language; it is ingrained in our minds and known to us.
Idiomatic Knowledge
Idiomatic knowledge involves understanding the language code at its three levels: phonological, lexical, and grammatical. Furthermore, it requires knowledge of general and specific rules, and respect for standard usage.
Discursive Knowledge
The technique of speech encompasses knowledge concerning the organization of discourse. A proficient user expresses thoughts clearly and consistently, without contradiction or assumptions.
Expressive/Interpellative Knowledge
Language not only conveys information but also emotion. It initiates actions, convinces, and inspires. One must know how to manage language in relation to context to ensure messages reach their intended targets.