40 language bond, which involves relatedness at the level
of linguistic forms Romaine, 1994: 23). Several scholars have defined of speech community indifferent ways. Below are some of the definitions. The speech community is defined by the participation in a set of shared norms…which maybe observed in behaviour and in the uniformity of abstract patterns of variation
Labov (1972: 120
ff) A speech community is made up of individuals who regard themselves as speaking the same language Corder (1973: 53) any human aggregate characterized by regular and frequent interaction by means of a shared body of verbal signs and set off from similar aggregates by significant differences in language usage. Gumperz (1971: 101) A community sharing rules for the conduct
and interpretation of speech, and rules for the interpretation of at least one linguistic variety. A necessary primary term. it postulates the basis of description as asocial,
rather than a linguistic, entity" Hymes (1972: 54
ff). A speech community is a group of people who do not necessarily share the same language, but share a set of norms and rules for the use of language. The boundaries between speech communities are essentially social rather than linguistic. A speech community is not necessarily coextensive with a language community" Romaine (1994: 22).
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