Glossary

Leveling. The reduction of distinct forms within a grammatical paradigm, as in the use of was with all subject persons and numbers for past tense be

(e.g. I/you/(s)he/we/you/they was).

Canadian raising. The raising of the nucleus of the /aI/ and /aV/ diphthongs to /q/, as in /rqIt/ for right or /qVt/ for out.

Creole language. A special contact language in which the primary vocabulary of one language is superimposed upon a specially adapted, somewhat restricted grammatical structure; this language system may be used as a native language.

Cultural difference theory. An approach to language and gender that views differences in men’s and women’s speech as a function of differential socio-cultural experiences by men and women.

Deficit theory. With reference to language and gender studies, the theory that considers female language traits as deficient versions of male language.

Dialect. A variety of the language associated with a particular regional or social group.

Dialect awareness programs. Activities conducted by linguists and community members that are intended to promote an understanding of and appreciation for language variation.

Dominance theory. With respect to language and gender, the consideration of male-female language differences as the result of power differences between men and women.

Double modal. The co-occurrence of two or even three modal forms within a single verb phrase, as in They might could do it or They might oughta should do it.

Flap. A sound made by rapidly tapping the tip of the tongue to the alveolar ridge, as in the usual American English pronunciation of t in Betty /bFdi/ or d in ladder /lxdq^r/.

Formal Standard English. The variety of English prescribed as the standard by language authorities; found primarily in written language and the most formal spoken language (e.g. spoken language which is based on a written form of the language).

Gender. The complex of social, cultural and psychological factors that surround sex; contrasted with sex as biological attribute.

Generic he. The use of the masculine pronoun he for referents which can be either male or female; for example, If a student wants to pass the course, he should study. The noun man historically has also been used as a generic, as in Man shall not live by bread alone.

Hypercorrection. The extension of a language form beyond its regular linguistic boundaries when a speaker feels a need to use extremely standard or “correct” forms.

Informal Standard English. The spoken variety of English considered socially acceptable in mainstream contexts; typically characterized by the absence of socially stigmatized linguistic structures.

Multiple negation. The marking of negation at more than one point in a sentence (e.g. They didn’t do nothing about nobody.). Also called double negation, negative concord.

Network Standard. A variety of English relatively free of marked regional characteristics; the ideal norm aimed for by national radio and television network announcers.

Nonstandard. With reference to language forms, socially stigmatized through association with socially disfavoured groups.

Nonstandard dialect. A socially disfavoured dialect of a language.

Pidgin language. A language used primarily as a trade language among speakers of different languages; has no native speakers. The vocabulary of a pidgin language is taken primarily from a superordinate language, and the grammar is drastically reduced.

Prescriptive standard English. The variety deemed standard by grammar books and other recognized language “authorities”.

Regional standard English. A variety considered to be standard for a given regional area; for example, the Eastern New England standard or the Southern standard.

Schwa. A mid central vowel symbolized as /q/; for example, the first vowel in appear /q`pir/. Generally occurs in unstressed syllables in English.

Socially prestigious. Socially favoured; with respect to language forms or patterns, items associated with high-status groups.

Socially stigmatized. Socially disfavoured, as in a language form or pattern associated with low-status groups (e.g. He didn’t do nothing to nobody).

Standard American English. A widely socially accepted variety of English that is held to be the linguistic norm and that is relatively unmarked with respect to regional characteristics of English.

Superstandard English. Forms or styles of speech which are more standard than called for in everyday conversation (It is I who shall write this).

Superstrate. A language spoken by a dominant group which influences the structure of the language of a subordinate group of speakers. Often used to refer to the dominant language upon which a creole language is based.

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