contents

Intro to speech repertoires

contents
• Intro to speech repertoires
• Speech community
• Multilingual setting
• Global significance of multilingualism
• Examples of multilingual country
• How do individuals navigate speech repertoires
Introduction to speech repertoires
• “The set of language varieties used in the speaking and writing
practices of a speech community” defined by (Finegan 2004)
• E.g dialects, register,
• Another definition of speech repertoires that it includes all the
linguistic varieties (register,dialects,styles,accents)
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• In a multilingual settings, "speech repertoires refers to the diverse
linguistics resources and capabilities that individual possess within a
given linguistic context.
• E.g. speaking two or more than two languages.
• Bloomfield and backs,” Repertoire became the word we use to
describe all the means of speaking i.e. all those means that people
know how to use and why while the communicate.”
Why speech repertoires is important.
• Adapting to different situations.
• Expressing identity.
• Enhancing persuasion and influence.
• Fostering creativity and expression.
•
Speech community
• What is speech?

• Speech community. Group of speakers who share and use similar

linguistic signals and repertoires.

• where the speech repertoires can be found?

Multilingual settings
• Poudel P P(2010) defines multilingualism as “ a condition in which
more than two languages are used in the same setting for similar
purposes.”
• Multilingualism involves the ability of individuals or societies to use
and understand multiple languages.
• It can manifest at various levels from individuals being proficient in
more than one language to communities where several languages
coexist.
How do speech repertoires influence
multilingualism ?
• There are many ways that speech repertoires influence multilingualism .
1. Register selection. In this case, if a person uses informal language in his or her language might
lean towards informality in their non-native languages too.

2. Accent and pronunciation. speech repertoires can influence an individual’s accent and
pronunciation in their non-native languages. E.g. pronunciation of( F) of Balochi speakers as (P)
sound in their non-native languages.

3. Code-switching .speech repertoire can also influence the speakers to do coe-switching while
having a single conversation.E.g. switch to English while speaking mother tongue after seeing
your English language teacher.
• Adding different registers. Each language brings a new set of registers i.e formal and informal,
technical which allow multilingual speaker to use them according to the situation by virtue of
speech repertoires .
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• Code-mixing . It is also easy for the multilingual speakers to mix different words of
different languages while speaking.
• Adding different registers. Each language brings a new set of registers
i.e formal and informal, technical which allow multilingual speaker to
use them according to the situation by virtue of speech repertoires .

• Question for the audience.

• Do you have any specific aspects of this relationship you would like to
explore further? Do you have any example ?
Global significance of multilingualism

• In a global context , multilingual environment can facilitate

international
• Communication
• Trade
• Diplomacy
• Business
• Breakdowning barriers
• Fostering collaboration .
• Promote culture understanind
Examples of multilingual countries.
• Pakistan is a multilingual country. No less than 60 languages are spken
by the people of Pakistan.
• There are five regional languages i.e Punjabi,sindhi,Pushto, Balochi ,
and Kashmiri .
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• India ..
• India has got 418 languages ,where 407 are living langauges.
• 11 languages are extinct.
• 18 languages are constitutionally recognized written in varieties of
scripts.
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• South Africa which has 11 official languages
• E.g. Afrikaans, English,isiNdebele,siswati so on.

• Switzerland has four official languages

• E.g German,French,Italian,and Romanish
How do individuals navigate speech
repertoires in multilingual settings?
• Navigating speech repertoires in multilingual settings is a dynamic
process which is influenced by various factors.
• Factors
1. Formality. Formal settings generally call for the use of a formal or
professional language E.g. job interview, academic
presentation ,teaching and so on .. While with friends individuals try
to use informal communication system.
2. Participants. Here comes the question of (Who). Who you are
interacting with E.g with a native or non-native .
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1. Topic .. It is also necessary for the speaker that there are some
topics which need a particular topic to make others understood . E.g
language teacher in classroom .
2. Comfort and fluency. Mostly we choose those languages we feel
most comfortable, proficient in, ensuring clear and effective
communication.
3. Emotional connection .individuals can choose a language based on
the desired emotional impact on themselves or interlocutors.