Language Variation

Language variation means that a given language is not one uniform or homogenous system, but that it contains many varieties which differ with respect to their grammar, pronunciation and vocabulary. The varities are normally referred to as dialects.

Langauge variation influences language change. Language use varies because of a number of social factors which include social identities of the people engaged in the speech acts, their socially defined purposes for interacting, as well as the social setting within which the interaction takes place.

Different languages are spoken in different geographical locations. For example, people in Spain, Cuba, Venezuela, and Mexico speak Sapnish , but the Spanish spoken in each country is somewhat different from that spoken in the other countries.

No language is spoken in exactly the same way when used. As a language evolve, one particular dialect becomes dominant. This is due to the fact that it is the dialect spoken by the people with the economic power or greatest social influence in that society. This dialect now becomes the standard variety and becomes the one used for writing and other formal purposes and is often given prestige over other varities.

Depending on whon you are speaking or writing to, you instinctively vary the way in which you express yourself. This type of language variation is known as code switching.

Of importance is the fact that choice of register also generally reflects teh speaker's or writer's relationship with his or her audience.