which language variety to teach?
Well, any self-respecting linguist knows the answer is pretty simple:
"You should teach variety "x", because variety "y" is not understood in countries "a", "b", and "c" - but the majority of the people who speak "a", "b", and "c" (and don't forget "d") understand variety "x". We have also always felt an acute attraction for dialect "z", so you might consider that as well. You must realize, however, that variety "x" might not be understood outside of that particular city, so you really should teach variety "x.1", which is not to be confused with dialect "x", due to the sensitive nature of vernacular discrimination and language identity. Did we mention the lack of codification for variety "x" in general? We hope you won't try to standardize variety "x.1" without the consent of the local populace, who might not even wish to consider "x.1" a real "language".
Simple, isn't it? :) Well, the truth is there is no straightforward answer to this question. It depends on various factors including your target group, their goal from learning this variety, whether you are talking about spoken or written varieties, etc. Actually, this issue was discussed in regards to teaching a spoken variety of Arabic in the States. Probably more than any other language, Arabic has so many varieties of spoken dialects which can be considered different languages in their own right. Of course, in such a discussion, Egyptian Arabic (to my pleasure) is generally mentioned as a favourite. Yet,
"Egyptian dialect is probably understood over a wider geographical area than the other dialects, because it has been "exported" from Egypt in Egyptian films, songs, and TV programs. But the Arabs who understand Egyptian Arabic do not speak it with each other and only use it when they meet Egyptians or foreigners. So this is not an especially good reason to choose Egyptian."
as Bill Young from University of Maryland says.
p.s.
he is right of course, still Egyptian Arabic Rules :)
Mai
"You should teach variety "x", because variety "y" is not understood in countries "a", "b", and "c" - but the majority of the people who speak "a", "b", and "c" (and don't forget "d") understand variety "x". We have also always felt an acute attraction for dialect "z", so you might consider that as well. You must realize, however, that variety "x" might not be understood outside of that particular city, so you really should teach variety "x.1", which is not to be confused with dialect "x", due to the sensitive nature of vernacular discrimination and language identity. Did we mention the lack of codification for variety "x" in general? We hope you won't try to standardize variety "x.1" without the consent of the local populace, who might not even wish to consider "x.1" a real "language".
Simple, isn't it? :) Well, the truth is there is no straightforward answer to this question. It depends on various factors including your target group, their goal from learning this variety, whether you are talking about spoken or written varieties, etc. Actually, this issue was discussed in regards to teaching a spoken variety of Arabic in the States. Probably more than any other language, Arabic has so many varieties of spoken dialects which can be considered different languages in their own right. Of course, in such a discussion, Egyptian Arabic (to my pleasure) is generally mentioned as a favourite. Yet,
"Egyptian dialect is probably understood over a wider geographical area than the other dialects, because it has been "exported" from Egypt in Egyptian films, songs, and TV programs. But the Arabs who understand Egyptian Arabic do not speak it with each other and only use it when they meet Egyptians or foreigners. So this is not an especially good reason to choose Egyptian."
as Bill Young from University of Maryland says.
p.s.
he is right of course, still Egyptian Arabic Rules :)
Mai
posted by Mai at 10:13 AM
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