This document discusses language choice, diglossia, bilingualism, and multilingualism in multilingual communities. It defines language choice as the option for communities speaking multiple languages to choose which language to use based on factors like who they are speaking to, the context, and purpose. Diglossia refers to two varieties of the same language used for different functions, with one being high and formal and the other being low and informal. Bilingualism is the ability to speak two languages, which may be used differently depending on the speech community, while multilingualism is the ability to speak more than two languages.
2. WHAT IS LANGUAGE CHOiCE?
Language choice in sociolinguistics refers to a situation where communities who speak
many languages have the option of choosing which language to use.When a community
speaks more than one language, it can select which one to use. This is known as a
language choice. According to whom they are speaking to, the situation in which the
conversation is taking place, the topic of the conversation, and the purpose or goal of
the conversation, speakers in these multilingual societies may pick which language to
use. For example, in certain societies, people might feel that speaking to their elders or
having an important family discussion in their first language is more suitable.
Alternatively, if a speaker is in a casual social context like a party with people speaking
in different first languages, they could use the host's language.
2
3. Diglossia is a situation in which two varieties
of the same language remain in society side by
side, and each of them performs a different
function. According to Ferguson (1959),
Diglossia refers to two varieties (high and low)
that coexist side by side and are used by the
same community.
3
Diglossia
4. Low Variety
The one that we speak most of our daily life or daily
communication. More flexible and is more likely to
change over time, because it’s not restricted by the
rules of the high variety
o Not learned formally
o The speakers don’t formally learn its grammar or
how to write in that language
o Merely learned as a spoken language
.
Two Varieties of Diglossia according to Ferguson
High Variety
Mostly used for more formal situations.
Considered the “correct” variety and
prevented from changing a lot.
o Learned at school, formally
The speakers learn how to write, and learn the
grammar rules of the language
4
5. Three crucial features of Diglossia
5
● Two distinct varieties of the same language are used in the community, with one
regarded as a high variety and the other as a low variety.
● Each variety is used for quite distinct functions; high and low complement each other.
● No one uses the High variety in everyday conversations
6. Bilingualism
The ability to speak and comprehend two languages or The use and mastery of multiple
languages by an individual or group is known as Bilingualism.
Three types of bilingualism:
● Horizontal bilingualism: when two languages are equal in official, social, and cultural
status in a certain country.
● Vertical bilingualism: the existence of two dialects of the same language, where one is
official, and the other is colloquial.
● Diagonal bilingualism: when a country uses a standard dialect of one language and a
colonial dialect of another language.
6
7. Bilingualism
▫ Refers to the ability to speak two
languages
▫ Has two different languages
▫ Are used according to the nature of
speech community
▫ Not only used in the same society
but also in different speech societies
▫ Experienced by one individual
.
The difference between Diglossia and Bilingualism
Diglossia
▫ Refers to the use of two varieties of
the same language in a speech
society
▫ Has two varieties of the same
language: high language and low
language
▫ There are domains, and according to
the domain, high or low is used
▫ Used to talk within the same speech
▫ Not experienced but by a speech
community
7
8. Multilingualism
It is sometimes referred to as polyglotism. It refers to the capacity of a person or a group of
people to master more than two languages. They either master a language actively or
passively.
Types of multilingualism:
● Official multilingualism: the selection of more than two languages to be named official
languages of a given country.
● De facto: the existence of more than the official languages selected from a country. It
refers to a society that masters the official languages of its country plus other languages
and/or dialects.
8
9. REFERENCES
9
YouTube. (2022). Sociolinguistics: Diglossia (Summary) Definition, Examples S5. YouTube. Retrieved October
12, 2022, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZMyqRiXU-d0.
YouTube. (2021). Sociolinguistics Part 6 : Bilingualism and Multilingualism. YouTube. Retrieved October 12,
2022, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6lP2QNCBzkk.
Gerandielle. (2022, July 13). What is the difference between bilingualism and diglossia. Pediaa.Com.
Retrieved October 12, 2022, from https://pediaa.com/what-is-the-difference-between-bilingualism-and-
diglossia/#:~:text=Bilingualism%20refers%20to%20the%20ability,language%20in%20a%20speech%20society
.
YouTube. (2020). Language Choice in Multilingual communities (Bagian 1). YouTube. Retrieved October 12,
2022, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d86ZvwsY1Hc.
