Languages Change.
Why are people reluctant to acknowledge this?
A Giulia, che mi illumina sempre con le sue argomentazioni.
Let’s think of language, in its broadest sense, as a series of concentric circles, the largest one being Language. Now let’s imagine that within Language there is a smaller circle called Accent, encompassing regional sounds and words. Inside Accent lies Dialect, the distinct expressions of a given geographical area.
Delving deeper, we find Sociolect, which reflects the language of specific social groups, like that of lawyers, children, and so on. At the center of it is “idiolect,” an individual’s unique way of speaking, deeply rooted in personal experience.
The myth of a standard language
Recently, I engaged in quite a heated discussion with a friend who feels bothered when people don’t speak “correctly.” Her position reflects a common sentiment, especially in Italy, where regional dialects coexist with one “standard” Italian taught in schools.
Even though standardization is necessary to bring some unity into a vast geographical area, it is only to be expected that there are variations. We have seen that variability is an intrinsic feature of language. So, why is the general tendency to judge certain ways of speaking as right or wrong? More importantly, who…
