'Diastratic variation'

Abstract

The purpose of this chapter is to investigate evolving diastratic variation in contemporary Italy, where Italian is increasingly supplanting traditional dialects, particularly within familial settings, while expanding its functional range in advertising and digital communication. Diastratic variety functions as a tool for navigating social dynamics, prioritizing flexibility over a rigid reflexion of social status. After reviewing fundamental assumptions of models based on the concept of variation and ‘speaker variables’, the chapter explores the subjunctive mood through classic variationist frameworks. The focus then shifts to pronunciation and processes of restandardization. Finally, the chapter briefly addresses the emergence of new sociolinguistic variables arising from interactions with foreign languages due to immigration