Articles

Language and Attitude

     Language is the primary means of human communication. It is a powerful social force that does more than convey intended referential information. It also indicates both personal and social characteristics of the speaker. Depending on the particular listener, a speaker’s accent, speech patterns, vocabulary, intonation etc. can serve as markers for evaluating that speaker’s appearance, personality, social status and character, among other things. Obiols defines attitude as a “mental disposition towards something”, it acts as a bridge between opinion and behaviour (Obiols 2002). Ryan define language attitudes as “any affective, cognitive or behavioural index of evaluative reactions toward different language varieties or speakers” (Ryan et al. 1982:7)

The study of language attitudes is important for sociolinguistics because it can, as Marina S. Obiols writes: ‘predict a given linguistic behaviour: the choice of a particular language in multilingual communities, language loyalty, language prestige...” (Obiols 2002). Suzanne Romaine says that the basis of attitude measurement is that there are underlying dimensions along which individual attitudes can be ranged. However, she also points out that “the translation of attitude from the subjective domain into something objectively measurable is a common problem in any research that involves social categorization and/or perceptual judgements” (Romaine 1980:213).

 Language attitudes are evaluative reactions to different language varieties. They reflect, at least in part, two sequential cognitive processes: social categorization and stereotyping. First, listeners use linguistic cues (e.g., accent) to infer speakers’ social group membership(s). Second, based on that categorization, they attribute to speakers stereotypic traits associated with those inferred group membership(s). Language attitudes are organized along two evaluative dimensions: status (e.g., intelligent, educated) and solidarity (e.g., friendly, pleasant). Past research has primarily focused on documenting attitudes toward standard and nonstandard language varieties. Standard varieties are those that adhere to codified norms defining correct usage in terms of grammar, pronunciation, and vocabulary, whereas nonstandard varieties are those that depart from such norms in some manner (e.g., pronunciation). (oxfordre.com)

People have attitudes/feelings/beliefs about language in general, their language, and the language of other people. They may feel that an unwritten language is not a ‘real’ language. They may feel shame when other people hear their language. They may believe that they can only know one language at a time. They may feel that the national language is the best language for expressing patriotism, the best way to get a job, the best chance at improving their children’s future. (sil.org)

Attitudes cannot be observed directly but are demonstrated through actual behavior – for example, how people treat speakers of other languages (avoidance, approach), or in their desire (or not) to learn another language. The convergence of one’s speech to conform to another’s speech suggests a “positive attitude” toward the other’s speech. By the same token, divergence suggests an intention for the opposite outcome

Language attitudes are opinions, ideas, and prejudices that speakers have with respect to a language. For example, it is often said that in order to learn a language, it often helps to have a positive attitude towards that language. language also contribute on how the world views your personality. Attitude is a settled way of thinking or feeling about something. The world can view somebody according to the language you speak.

References :

 Meyerhoff, M. (2006) Introducing Sociolinguistics.

Language Attitudes Evaluational Reactions to Spoken Language Linda Melander English C-essay Högskolan Dalarna April, 2003