1.3. Ferguson's complete definition of diglossia
The following definition has been quoted by Fasold (1984:38):
DIGLOSSIA is a relatively stable language situation in which,
in addition to the primary dialects of the language (which may include a
standard or regional standards), there is a very divergent, highly codified
(often grammatically more complex) superposed variety, the vehicle of a large
and respected body of written literature, either of an earlier period or in
another speech community, which is learned largely by formal education and is
used for most written and formal purposes but is not used by any sector of the
community for ordinary conversation.
1.4.
Summary
The relevant literature on diglossia has clearly shown how a
single language may be looked at in more than one linguistic variety displaying
some considerable differences specific to each variety.
When Ferguson conceived the very literature, he assigned each
of the two varieties -in accordance with diglossia- different qualifications.
He noticed that there was a variety that was mostly used for formal purposes.
He called it the «High variety» or H. In addition, the other variety
was mostly used in informal environments for amicable chats, homey talks and
the like. He termed it the «Low variety» or L.
Concerning Swahili spoken in Bukavu, it has been noticed that
it is a diglossic language. That is, it has two linguistic varieties. Its high
variety has been looked at, in this
study, as «Sarufi» (or S) and the low variety as
«Bukavu Swahili» (or B.S., for short).
Ferguson's description of diglossia in nine rubrics viz.
function, prestige, literary heritage, acquisition, standardization, stability,
grammar, lexicon, and phonology, showing how the low variety displays some
linguistic differences in comparison with the high variety, has been adapted to
the diglossic situation of Swahili spoken in Bukavu. This description has been
criticized in light of the way Swahili is handled in Bukavu.
In light of diglossia, some account on the methodology to use
in order to achieve this study will subsequently be the core of the next
chapter.
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