ABSTRACT
This chapter uses language ideologies—understood as ideas about language varieties and their speakers (Irvine and Gal 2000)—as a key concept to understand different patterns of standardization across the three field sites (cf. chapter 2). Previous studies in Denmark show that Standard Danish—contrary to dialect—is perceived as an unmarked variety and associated with correctness, intelligibility, and prestige (Kristiansen 2009). Nevertheless, we argue that the existence of a predominant standard language ideology has not led to equal processes of language change throughout Danish society. On Bornholm, the dialect is conceived as a cultural heritage across all generations. Yet, members of the youngest generation who use virtually no dialect in spoken interaction generally perceive Standard Danish as the “normal” way of speaking—also in local everyday settings. In Southern Jutland, use of local dialect is linked to strong and positive ideological values that have been passed on from generation to generation and have formed a speech community in which the local dialect holds a relatively strong position against Standard Danish. In between these various levels of standardization, in Northern Jutland, combining Standard Danish with linguistic features of a larger regional area is referred to as “normal” in local everyday contexts but is vested with negative social associations when it travels outside local contexts; for example, in media representations.
By comparing metalinguistic commentaries from interview data the chapter investigates a) how language ideologies influence the ways in which particular linguistic forms and practices are ascribed social meanings; b) to what degree Standard Danish is associated with similar social values across places and generations, and c) to what extent local dialects and Standard Danish can be said to carry multiple social meanings depending on perspective, context, and place. We find that standard ideologies and ideologies about local languages co-exist within peripheral areas and we demonstrate how competing language ideologies are re-articulated and contested to reinforce and counter divisions between social groups, and between the local community and Danish society at large.
