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Georg Cornelissen: Muster regionaler Umgangssprache. Ergebnisse einer Fragebogenerhebung im Rheinland

The article is a preliminary evaluation of a questionnaire distributed in the Rhineland in 2000. In the answers received, the colloquial form of speech predominant in this area is described as "slang", "moderate Standard German" or "‘normal’ German, not Standard German". In the questionnaire itself, the term "Regional spoken language situated between dialect and ‘pure’ Standard German" was used.

The analysis provided numerous indications that there is a correlation between the degree of linguistic awareness on the part of the informants and the type of language used either by those answering the questionnaire or at least by the generation to which they belong. The answers to some of the questions reveal significant differences in usage between older informants and members of younger age groups. To a certain extent, we find a tendency here towards the reduction of idiomatic elements within the colloquial form of speech. Other non-standard linguistic elements tend to remain much more stable. Beside the informant’s age, it would appear that the individual ability to speak the local dialect is also an important factor.

The linguistic level between true dialect and standard speech touched upon in this enquiry is present all over the Rhineland, and not only in areas where dialect is no longer spoken (such as the Ruhr industrial area), but also in regions where – to differing degrees – dialect is still in use.

Some of the linguistic maps published here correspond quite closely to their counterparts in dialect atlases, whereas in other cases there is hardly any similarity whatsoever. Particularly interesting are those maps which show the formation of new local divisions within the regional colloquial forms of speech current in the Rhineland.

Unfortunately most informants refrained from providing really concrete information about their own personal linguistic behaviour. Individual comments show, however, that a wide variety of attitudes – from obvious rejection to an almost emphatic pride in using the regional colloquial idiom – can be expected.