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A. INTRODUCTION

a.1 Background Knowledge

In the past few decades, linguistics the systematic study of languagehas expanded
dramatically. Its findings are now of interest to psychologists, sociologists, philosophers,
anthropologists, teachers, speechtherapists and many others who have realized that
language is of crucialimportance in their life and work. A branch of linguistics which
studies properties of language and languages which require reference to social,including
contextual, factors in their explanation is called Sociolinguistics.One of such properties is
variation. The study of language variation is an important part of sociolinguistics, to the
extent that it requires reference to social factors. Languages vary from one place to
another,from one social group to another, and from one situation to another.
Nowadays, sociolinguistic attitudes are prevalent and the need for a term which can
include the investigation of the urban population of a language from a social point of view
became evident. The neutrality of the term variety must be stressed. It simply refers to a
distinguishable variant of a language. This means that there are a large number of
varieties of any given language, indeed the number is theoretically infinite. The sole
criterion to be fulfilled by a particular variety is delimitation via other varieties. People do,
indeed, differ in language and custom. Language is closely linked with the members of
the society in which it is spoken, and social factors are inevitably reflected in their
speech.Language can be studied as a social phenomenon. This has brought about
language variation and the variation runs along ‘fault lines in social factors’, such as
divisions between social classes, the sexes and different ethnic groups (Downes, 1998).
Generally, language differs so much.The part of sociolinguistics, the descriptive
sociolinguistics is todisclose the general or normative patterns of language use within a
speech network or speech community so as to show the systematic nature of the
alternations between one variety and another among individuals who sharea repertoire
of varieties. Meanwhile we will talk about languages, dialects, sociolects, styles,
registers, speech levels, lingua franca, pidgins and creoles, vernacular and standard
language. But none of these terms can be taken for granted and many of them are
difficult to define in a satisfactory way. Therefore, we need to start our discussion with a
terminology that does not take very much for granted.

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B. DISCUSSION

Actually, language variety refers to the various forms of language triggered by social
factors. Language may changes from region to region, from one social class to another,
from individual to individual, and from situation to situation. This actual changes result in
the varieties of language. Well the language variety is phenomenon social which arises
there different background.

b.1 A Lect

In sociolinguistics, a variety, also called a lect, is a specific form of a language or

language cluster. And also it is a general term for any distinctive form of a language or
linguistic expression. Linguists commonly use language variety (or simply variety) as a
cover term for any of the overlapping subcategories of a language. The use of the word
"variety" to refer to the different forms avoids the use of the term language, which many
people associate only with the standard language, and the term dialect, which is often
associated with non-standard varieties thought of as less prestigious or "correct" than the
standard. Linguists speak of both standard and non-standard (vernacular) varieties.
"Lect" avoids the problem in ambiguous cases of deciding whether two varieties are
distinct languages or dialects of a single language. The lect stands for “isolect” where iso
= variety and lect = language, so that is variation of language that are not given name
and do not have status, just given name if it has been fixed by what factor caused
variation.

 Types of Lects

In addition to the distinctions discussed previously, different types of lects also echo
the types of language varieties:

 Regional dialect: A variety spoken in a particular region.

 Sociolect: Also known as a social dialect, a variety of language (or register)
used by a socioeconomic class, a profession, an age group, or any other
social group.
 Ethnolect: A lect spoken by a specific ethnic group. For example, Ebonics, the
vernacular spoken by some African-Americans.

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 Idiolect: the language spoken by each individual. For example, if you are
multilingual and can speak in different registers and styles, your idiolect
comprises several languages, each with multiple registers and styles.

b.2 Geographical Dialect

Varieties of language develop for a number of reasons: differences can come about
for geographical reasons; people who live in different geographic areas often develop
distinct dialects variations of standard English. Those who belong to a specific group,
often academic or professional, tend to adopt jargon that is known to and understood by
only members of that select group. Dialects within a variety framework are frequently
referred to as regional varieties and sociolects as social varieties, though the label
dialect can be retained if used objectively.Even individuals develop idiolects, their own
specific ways of speaking.

According O'Grady defined dialect “A regional or social variety of a language

characterized by its own phonological, syntactic, and lexical properties”. It means that a
dialect is a regional or social variety of a language distinguished by pronunciation,
grammar, and vocabulary. The term dialect is often used to characterize a way of
speaking that differs from the standard variety of the language. Every dialectal feature
has its own boundary line, called an isogloss (or sometimes heterogloss). Isoglosses of
various linguistic phenomena rarely coincide completely, and by crossing and
interweaving they constitute intricate patterns on dialect maps. Frequently, however,
several isoglosses are grouped approximately together into a bundle of isoglosses. This
grouping is caused either by geographic obstacles that arrest the diffusion of a number
of innovations along the same line or by historical circumstances, such as political
borders of long standing, or by migrations that have brought into contact two populations
whose dialects were developed in noncontiguous areas.

b.3 Social Dialect (Socialect)

It should have come as no surprise that language varies geographically. We are not
surprised to hear that people who live far from each other speak more differently than
people who live close to each other, because those who live close to each other have
more contact with each other than those who live far away from each other. And also a
variety of languages with regard to status, class, and the social class of the speakers
include acrolect,basilect, etc.

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b.4 Styles

Of course each people have different style to deliver of though other people.

Types of style :

a) standard / frozen style or variety => styles that have never been used change from
by anyone who speaks. Ex: sermons in mosques and prayers

b) official / formal style or variety => style whose pattern and rules have been
established firmly as a standard and its use is designed in the official situation. Ex:
state speech

c) style / variety of business / consultative => style that lies in between the formal
style and informal style. Ex : lecturer who is teaching

d) relaxed style or casual variety => allegro ; the shortened shape style is good at
level of words, phrases, or sentences. Ex : style of language is commonly used by
speakers at coffee shops, in recreational places, on the roadside, and in talks other
relax.

e) intimate style or variety=> style commonly used by speakers and their

relationships is very familiar where allegro is outrageous so that it is impossible for
others to understand without knowing the situation. Ex : This intimate style is
commonly used by family members, close friends, and others.

b.5 Register

Register is defined as the way a speaker uses language differently in different

circumstances. Think about the words you choose, your tone of voice, even your body
language. You probably behave very differently chatting with a friend than you would at a
formal dinner party or during a job interview. These variations in formality, also called
stylistic variation, are known as registers in linguistics. They are determined by such
factors as social occasion, context, purpose, and audience. Registers are marked by a
variety of specialized vocabulary and turns of phrases, colloquialisms, the use of jargon,
and a difference in intonation and pace. Registers are used in all forms of
communication, including written, spoken, and signed. Depending on grammar, syntax,
and tone, the register may be extremely rigid or very intimate. You don't even need to
use an actual word to communicate effectively. A huff of exasperation during a debate or
a grin while signing "hello" speaks volumes.

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b.6 Speech Levels

Styles, tones and even syntax that will differ according to the purpose of the
communication or the persons being addressed. Examples: formal (respectful, polite),
educated, familiar (friendly, intimate) and slangy/coarse.

b.7 Lingua Franca

The term "lingua franca" classifies a speech form by its function. Such a language is
similar to a pidgin, in that it is used as an interlanguage, often without any predominant
native-speaker community to serve as a "standard" referent. However, it is often a
variety of a vernacular language, whose standard referent is a native-speaker community
in another locale.

b.8 Pidgins and Creoles

Whereas most vernaculars have a history and heritage like a nation or people, in a
family of languages, a pidgin is spoken among speakers of different languages who need
a common language to communicate. Pidgin is communication by combining vocabulary
used by the different speakers, mostly content words, minimal grammar and no native
speaker. But then so is a world or regional language. A pidgin develops where there is a
predominance of non-native speakers using that language among themselves, who
speak the language in a manner determined by their mother tongues, limiting intelligibility
with native speakers of the "interlanguage." There are several pidgins of Swahili in East
Africa. Speakers of standard Swahili can sometimes understand the pidgin speakers,
but pidgin speakers (who call their language Swahili also) often cannot understand the
standard speaker.

While when a form of pidgin becomes the home language of a second generation, it
is called a creole. Creole is language variety that has been greatly influenced by another
languages. It takes on the social character of an ethnic language, and may become a
vernacular. This often occurs in urban settings, so a creole may have a literature and be
consciously "developed" by its speakers into a full culture-bearing medium. It would
usually be classified by comparative linguists according to the structural features. Thus
a French creole might be classed as an Atlantic, not an Indo-European, language. In
Nigeria, it appears that "Pidgin" is actually a creole.

b.9 Vernacular vs. Standard Language

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In order to assess the relative claims of different languages it is necessary to look at

their status and the functions which they serve. Sociolinguists have developed a number
of ways of categorizing languages, according to their status and social functions. The
distinction between a vernacular language and a standard language is a useful place to
start.

 Vernacular (non-standard language)

The term "vernacular" refers to the form of speech, or language, of a certain people
or "tribe," an ethnic language. There are many languages that are spoken by numerous
ethnic groups, and there are some ethnic groups that have more than one language
within the same ethnicity. Such a language thus shares in the ethnic history and identity
of the people who speaks the language. Even if a language is now the mother tongue of
several ethnic groups, we can probably trace its linguistic genetics to an earlier time in
history. English is a good example, having spread over the world from its German home
as a set of dialects of some West Germanic tribes. Even geographically limited
languages may become the mother tongue of different ethnicities. Vernacular is the
language or dialect spoken by the ordinary people of a country or region. Furthermore
this language or dialect spoken by the ordinary people in a particular country or region.
In addition, the language use spoken as one’s mother tongue; not learned or imposed as
a second language. Vernacular language use in speech or written works, using the
mother tongue of a country or region. Vernaculars; another name used to refer to
languages, especially to the ones regarded as the local varieties. It generally refers to a
language which has not been standardized and which does not have official status.
Vernaculars are usually the first languages learned by people in multilingual
communities; in addition, they are often used for a relatively narrow range of informal
function.

 Standard Language

Language may also be varied according to whether it is perceived to be correct or

not. In regard to this view, terms ‘standard’ and ‘non-standard’ variety of a language are
applied. A standard language is developed as a result of a sociopolitical process. It is not
entirely the same as the formal variety of a language. A standard variety of a language
includes both formal and informal or colloquial variety. However, the language used in
the formal occasions is often characterized with the use of standard forms. Thus, in
regard to the occasion where the variety is used, the standard language variety might be
associated with the formal variety. A Standard language is generally one which is written,

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and which has undergone some degree of regularization or codification (for example, in
a grammar and a dictionary). Furthermore, it is a language variety used by a group of
people in their public discourse. Alternatively, varieties become standard by undergoing
a process of standardization, during which it is organized for description in grammars
and dictionaries and encoded in such reference works. Furthermore, Standard
languages arise when a certain dialect begins to be used in written form, normally
throughout a broader area than that of the dialect itself. The ways in which this language
is use in administrative matters, literature, and economic life lead to the minimization of
linguistic variation. Standard language; the variety of a language that is considered as a
better one for its phonological, lexical, and grammatical correctness.

C. CONCLUSION

Well in the view of sociolinguistics, language is not only seen as individual

phenomenon, but is social phenomenon cause as the social phenomenon language and
language user are influenced by various types of social factors include social situation,
age, ethnic,geography, etc . Based on this factors, the language they use varities where
the variety with one another often has big different background. The lect stands for
“isolect” where iso = variety and lect = language, so that is variation of language that are
not given name and do not have status, just given name if it has been fixed by what
factor caused variation. And the language variation who used in the society and
community has different style, speech level, and register. The role of language as lingua
franca who create new language there are pidgin and creole with applied standard
language or vernacular..

References :

Downes, William. 1998. Language and Society. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press
Hudson, R, A. 2012. Sociolinguistics. University College London: Cambridge University
Press
O'Grady, William, John Archibald, Mark Aronoff, and Jane Rees-Miller. eds.
(2001) Contemporary Linguistics. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin's.
Peter, Trudgill.1978. Sociolinguistic Patterns in British English. Pennsylvania State
University: University Park Press
Raymond, Hickey. 2012. Standard Of English: Codified Varieties Around The World.
Cambridge: Cambridge University Press

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