English language in the context of diglossia in the modern world
Abstract
The article examines the transformation of the concept of diglossia from the moment of its introduction by C. Ferguson to denote a stable language situation to the comprehension of the phenomenon of polyglossia, which is characteristic of many countries in the modern world. It is noted that code-switching between the H-variety and the L-variety may occur in any social domain, the most significant of which are family, religion, education, and work. The basis for the analysis of diglossia is the theory developed by C. Ferguson and further elaborated in the works of his followers, such as J. Fishman, J. Holmes, D. Deterding, K. Myers-Scotton, A. Pakir, and others. The relationships between diglossia and bilingualism are demonstrated, manifesting in such language situations as the presence of both diglossia and bilingualism, bilingualism
without diglossia, diglossia without bilingualism, and the absence of both diglossia and bilingualism. As an example of diglossia in the modern world, the article considers the language situation of the use of English in Singapore, where the speech continuum of the Singaporean variety of English includes the basilect (as the lowest variety), the mesolect, and the H-variety — a non-British acrolect significantly different from Standard English, which creates certain linguistic and sociocultural problems in Singaporean society. The study of diglossia is relevant in the training of specialists for work in those countries where a diglossic (polyglossic) situation influences the establishment of intercultural dialogue and economic business contacts.