Standard language

A standard language (also standard dialect or standardized dialect) is a particular variety of a language that has been given either legal or quasi-legal status. As it is usually the form promoted in schools and the media, it is usually considered by speakers of the language to be more "correct" in some sense than other dialects.

Usually, but not always, based on the tongue of a capital city, a standard language is defined by the selection of certain regional and class markers, and the rejection of others. This is the version of a language that is typically taught to learners of the language as a foreign language, and most texts written in that language follow its spelling and grammar norms.

A standard written language is sometimes termed by the German word Schriftsprache.

The creation of a prescriptive standard language, derives from the national (cultural, political, social) cohesion requiring an agreed, standardized tongue. Generally, standard languages usually are established upon:

A recognized dictionary (standardized spelling and vocabulary)

A recognized grammar

A standard pronunciation (educated speech)

A linguistic institution defining usage norms.

Constitutional (legal) status

Effective public use (court, legislature, schools)

A literary cano

In British English, the standard Received Pronunciation is based on the language of the London-area upper class, based upon the sociolect instilled in the British public school. The dialects of American English vary throughout the US, but the General American accent the unofficial standard language for being accentless; it is based on Midwestern English, and the), Nebraska, accent is the approximate mean.

Exercise 12. Translate the following words from Russian into English(use words from text 2A):

столица, отказ (отклонение), произношение, законный статус, высший класс, речь.

Exercise 13. Answer the following questions:

1. What is the difference between standard language and standard dialect?

2. How is standard language usually defined?

3. Which version of the language is usually taught to learners as a foreign language?

4. What standard languages are usually established upon?

WORD STUDY:

Memorize: