Inter-generational And Regional Differences In The Northeast Dialect Words In Use And Language Attitude Study

In this study we look at language change in progress as reflected in the usage of three generations of speakers of the Northeast dialect.Language variation between generations—that is, variation due to age differences—include both changes that parallel age groups, and also changes in linguistic form among different age groups within a single generation. This paper explores inter-generational variation among three generations of speakers of the Northeast dialect:elderly, middle-aged, and youth.This research employs the methods of sociolinguistics and takes as its object the usage situations and linguistic bearing of the Northeast dialect. It examines the process of development of the Northeast dialect through an analysis of variations based on different social groups (gender, age, occupation, education, place of birth); describes the usage situation of the Northeast dialect; and explores the usage distribution, frequency, and usage characteristics and trends of the Northeast dialect. At the same time, through an investigation of usage attitudes, it takes an oblique look at the psychology of cultural communication.In recent years, following China's rapid development of economic and cultural life, education, and the rapidly growing influence of the World Wide Web and television, the Northeast dialect is changing as well. The most obvious changes appear in variations in word and phrase usage.Young people are influenced by many factors, and language changes happen ever faster, bringing about distinct differences in vocabulary from that of the elderly. This paper analyzes the causes of such intergenerational differences.Through five investigations of 151 subjects, the following conclusions were arrived at:(1) There are clear generational differences in mastery over the usage of different types of words and phrases.(2) By comparing agricultural areas, pastoral areas, common middle schools and Mongolian middle schools, relatively large differences in the mastery of different types of words and phrases exist between Mongolian and Han populations.(3) With the popularization of standard Mandarin, the Northeast dialect has been influenced by standard Mandarin, widening the gap between city and country, young and old. Even though the influence of standard Mandarin is less in the countryside, even there some old Northeast expressions are disappearing. In urban areas the influence of standard Mandarin is much greater, and it influences a larger age range. In addition the transition group of young people under study is identified with standard Mandarin. So with time, some pockets of Northeast dialect are disappearing completely.(4) Although some of the Northeastern dialect words are no longer used for communication, because of the influence of mass media, some Northeast expressions have entered standard Mandarin.(5) The appearance of generational variation in the usage of the Northeast dialect is the result of a combination of internal, external and psychological factors.(6) With respect to language attitude, even though the tendency is for youth and the elderly to be relatively alike, from a subjective and psychological viewpoint, youth identity is clearly more strongly oriented toward standard Mandarin. For this reason, in actual language usage, youth are becoming more and more oriented toward standard Mandarin, ultimately resulting in changes to the vocabulary system.