Diasistematicity vs pluricentrism. An approach to German variety linguistics

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to offer a summarized presentation of the model known as variety linguistics. This model, developed by the Freiburg School, is deeply rooted in the Prague School’s functionalist structuralism and may be seen as an optimal model for the categorisation of linguistic variation according to its discursive functions. Through a solid conceptual and terminological apparatus, this model describes the interaction dynamics of the various dimensions of variability (diatopic, diastratic and diaphasic). The location of this diversity of forms in relation to the communicative situation allows us to assess its functional status, which may diverge – despite the phenomenological identity of the evaluated trait – from its diasystematic or normative consideration within the scope of the pluricentric languages.

Keywords: German variety linguistics, diasystematic variation, pluricentrism, language codification and standardisation, linguistic standard.