Tetiana V. Hromko
Doctor of Philology, Professor at the Department of English Philology
and Translation
Odessa Polytechnic National University,
Odessa, Ukraine
e-mail: hromkot@gmail.com
ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4661-4302
Olena M. Mitina
Candidate of Philological Sciences, Associate Professor at the Department
of English Philology and Translation
Odessa Polytechnic National University,
Odessa, Ukraine
e-mail: olenamitina@ukr.net
ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0442-6837
DOI: https://doi.org/10.24195/2616-5317-2024-39.7
SUMMARY
The article explores linguistic variation as an important aspect of modern sociolinguistics, in particular through the prism of the song «Let's Call the Whole Thing Off» by the Gershwin brothers. The authors point out that language differences not only identify a speaker or a social group, but also reflect cultural and social tensions. The article emphasizes the importance of perceiving these variations as a source of understanding rather than disagreement. An analysis of the phonetic and prosodic differences in the lyrics demonstrates how differences in word pronunciation can serve as a basis for mutual enrichment and communication. In addition, the article analyzes the cultural aspects of linguistic variation, pointing out that accents not only reflect linguistic diversity but also indicate the existence of cultural and social boundaries. Particular attention is paid to the issue of tolerance to linguistic diversity, as at the end of the song the characters decide «Let's call the whole thing off», which symbolizes acceptance and compromise. The article emphasizes that linguistic differences can be perceived with humor and tolerance, serving as a tool for cultural exchange. The study of patterns of linguistic variation emphasizes their dynamic nature, which is determined by social, cultural and historical factors. Patterns manifested in phonetic variations can vary depending on geographic location, social groups, and cultural influences. According to scientists, such patterns are not static but are subject to change under the influence of language mobility and globalization. They are becoming markers of social identity and cultural heritage, while serving to unite rather than divide. The authors of the article point out that the determination and stratification of language variants deepen the understanding of linguistic variation in the context of social structures. Researchers such as Basil Bernstein and Joshua Fishman emphasize that language patterns reflect cultural and ethnic identities, determining how social practices shape linguistic behavior. In this context, the article not only illustrates how linguistic variations can serve as a source of communication, but also emphasizes the importance of tolerance in today's globalized society, where diversity is a value rather than an obstacle to understanding.
Key words: sociolinguistics, communication, language variation, tolerance, linguistic patterns, phonetic differences, cultural identity, linguo-cultural features.
REFERENCES
Anderson L. (1986). Language Is a Virus. New York: Warner Bros. Retrieved from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1eTSL2kopP4.
Bernstein B. (1971). Class, Codes and Control. London: Routledge.
Bourdieu P. (1991). Language and Symbolic Power. Cambridge: Harvard University Press.
Cameron D. (1995). Verbal Hygiene. London: Routledge.
Cheshire J. (1982). Language in Society: The Sociolinguistics of Early Adolescents. Oxford: Blackwell.
Cruttenden A. (2014). Gimson's Pronunciation of English. London: Routledge. Eckert P. (2000). Linguistic Variation as Social Practice. Oxford: Blackwell, 2000.
Fasold R. (1984). The Sociolinguistics of Society. Oxford: Blackwell.
Fishman J. (1989). Language and Ethnicity. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Guthrie W. (1944). This Land Is Your Land. New York: Folkways Records. Retrieved from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IlaqPRCuRhU.
Holmes J. (1992). An Introduction to Sociolinguistics. London: Longman.
Labov W. (1972). Sociolinguistic Patterns. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press.
Lev-Ari Sh., & Keysar B. (2010). «Why Don’t We Believe Non-native Speakers? The Influence of Accent on Credibility». Journal of Experimental Social Psychology. Vol. 46, No. 6, pp. 1093–1096.
Milroy L, Milroy J. (2012). Authority in Language: Investigating Standard English. London: Routledge.
Sting (1987). Englishman in New York. New York: A&M Records. Retrieved from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d27gTrPPAyk.
Trudgill P. (1990). Dialectology. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Wells J. C. (1982). Accents of English. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.