An Analysis of the Possible Non-Pluricentricity of German in Relation to Other Languages
Karan Chawla
Abstract
How relevant is the idea, for instance, that pluricentric variation has been largely associated with separate nation-states and the political demarcation between them, to regional variants with varied degrees of recognition or to minority languages (autochthonous and immigrant) spoken inside or beyond governmental entities? A more dynamic interpretation of dominance may be required to explain new, emerging power relations between pluricentric varieties in various parts of the world, or the well-established distinction between dominant and non-dominant varieties of pluricentric languages, with its implicit assumption of asymmetric relationships, still holds true. If so, how should one account for shifting power dynamics in ex-colonial situations or which dialect of a certain language ought to be encouraged in contexts where foreign languages are taught and learned? Such concerns are ideological in nature, which emphasizes their importance for constructing identities. In language studies, pluralism is the acceptance of different educational goals and student outcomes as well as the acceptance of both new varieties and their native norms. A pluricentric language is one that is used in at least two nations and has official status as a state language, co-state language, or regional language. It goes without saying that German is a pluricentric language. However, others contend that it may also be seen as pluralistic in other areas, such as enregistrement or the plurality of German reality. This review paper is a cumulation and analysis of the possible case for the non applicability of the pluricentricity approach the German Language. The term "plurareality" has been used mostly in the context of a historical dialect continuum in the German language, and it has occasionally sparked a contentious controversy between its proponents and those who support a pluricentric approach. The distinction between the two should not be overemphasized, though. Both approaches, while from distinct ideological vantage points, focus on the systematic variance in language production.
Full Text: PDF DOI: 10.15640/ijlc.v11n1a4
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