Variation in Standard Persian: A Sociolinguistic Study
Zamir, Jan Roshan
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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/69817
Description
Title
Variation in Standard Persian: A Sociolinguistic Study
Author(s)
Zamir, Jan Roshan
Issue Date
1982
Department of Study
Linguistics
Discipline
Linguistics
Degree Granting Institution
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Degree Name
Ph.D.
Degree Level
Dissertation
Keyword(s)
Language, Linguistics
Abstract
This research aims to investigate variation in Tehrani Persian (Standard) in relation to its socio-cultural dimensions. The primary objective is to investigate stratification of glottals and glides and the general tendencies of these features towards linguistic change, as well as the social mobility of speakers. The secondary objective is to investigate the sociolinguistic properties of two social dialects of Persian in Tehran, which until now have gone virtually undescribed: Jaheli and Armenian Persian.
The analysis is based on quantitative measurements of the data collected from seventy-eight native speakers with consideration to age, education, sex, religion, and ethnic membership.
To account for variabilities, four variable rules were advanced: (y)-insertion, (?)-insertion, change of glottal to glide, and (?)-deletion rules. Style and religion most strongly covary with the linguistic variables; education and age also closely correlate. In comparison, sex shows a lesser degree of correlation with the variables.
This inquiry further offers a number of interpretations for certain previously unresolved issues in Persian linguistics: (a) Two types of glides--"underlying" and "derived" are distinguished. (b) A distinction is also advanced for "underlying" and "derived" glottals. Derived glottals can change to glides; the underlying cannot. (c) The two rules of (y)-insertion and (?)-insertion appear to reflect a functional unity of P-rules and provide a case example of a "conspiracy of phonological rules" (Kisseberth, 1979). (d) The change of glottal to glide is a new innovation and still is "in progress."
The social dialect of Jahels is shown to make use of an elaborate speech of give-and-take with overt phonological characteristics. Some features of Jaheli are emulated by other members of the community also to express certain values and chauvinistic sentiments.
Armenian Persian appears to provide a rather "marked" sociolinguistic case study. Unlike that of all other subsequent generations of dialect speakers in Tehran who yield to the prestigious dialect of Tehran, this variety has remained unbending.
Finally, the results here could be used for the preparation of teaching materials and bilingual lexicographical works.
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