Standard Language Ideology

Definition

Standard language ideology refers to the belief that there is a single, correct form of a language that should be considered the standard, prestigious, and normative variety. This ideology often leads to the marginalization of other language varieties and dialects as being 'incorrect' or 'inferior.'

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Standard language ideology is often used to justify and maintain social, political, and economic inequalities by privileging the language variety of dominant groups.
2. The standard variety is typically associated with the language of the socioeconomic and political elite, while other varieties are stigmatized as 'incorrect' or 'uneducated.'
3. Standard language ideology can lead to discrimination and the marginalization of speakers of non-standard language varieties, particularly in educational and professional settings.
4. The promotion of a single standard language variety can erase the linguistic diversity and cultural richness of a society, as other varieties are suppressed or viewed as inferior.
5. Challenging standard language ideology is an important aspect of language activism and the fight for linguistic rights and social justice.

Review Questions

• Explain how standard language ideology relates to the concept of language and power.
  • Standard language ideology is closely tied to the concept of language and power because it privileges the language variety of dominant social, political, and economic groups. By establishing a single 'correct' form of a language as the standard, standard language ideology serves to maintain the power and status of those in positions of authority, while marginalizing and devaluing the language varieties of less powerful groups. This can lead to discrimination, social stratification, and the perpetuation of linguistic hierarchies that reinforce existing power structures.
• Describe the role of standard language ideology in the suppression of linguistic diversity.
  • Standard language ideology often leads to the suppression of linguistic diversity by promoting the idea that there is a single, 'correct' form of a language that should be the norm. This can result in the erasure or devaluation of other language varieties, dialects, and forms of expression, which are then viewed as 'incorrect' or 'inferior.' The dominance of the standard variety can lead to the marginalization of speakers of non-standard varieties, particularly in educational and professional settings, and can ultimately contribute to the loss of linguistic and cultural richness within a society.
• Evaluate the impact of challenging standard language ideology on issues of social justice and linguistic rights.
  • Challenging standard language ideology is a crucial aspect of the fight for social justice and linguistic rights. By questioning the notion of a single, 'correct' form of language and recognizing the inherent value and legitimacy of diverse language varieties, language activists and scholars can work to dismantle the linguistic hierarchies and discriminatory practices that perpetuate social, political, and economic inequalities. Promoting linguistic diversity and challenging the dominance of standard language ideology can empower marginalized communities, foster greater inclusion and representation, and contribute to the broader struggle for social justice and the recognition of linguistic rights as fundamental human rights.

Related terms

Linguistic Prescriptivism: The belief that there are correct and incorrect ways of using language, often based on arbitrary rules and the preferences of those in positions of power.

Language Variety: Any distinct form of a language, including dialects, registers, and styles, that differ in their grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation from the standard variety.

Language Hierarchy: The social and institutional ranking of language varieties, with the standard variety at the top and other varieties viewed as less prestigious or 'proper.'