A standard language (also standard dialect or standardized dialect) is a language variety used by a group of people in their public discourse.^[1] Alternatively, varieties become standard by undergoing a process of standardization, during which it is organized for description in grammars and dictionaries and encoded in such reference works.^[1] Typically, varieties that become standardized are the local dialects spoken in the centers of commerce and government, where a need arises for a variety that will serve more than local needs. A standard language can be either pluricentric^[2] (e.g. English,German, Persian, Serbo-Croatian, French, Portuguese and Spanish)^[3] or monocentric (e.g. Icelandic, Italian,^[4] Japanese,^[5]and Russian^[5]).^[6] A standard written language is sometimes termed by the German word Schriftsprache.

Contents

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• 1 Characteristics
• 2 List of standard languages and regulators
• 3 Examples
  • 3.1 Arabic
  • 3.2 Aramaic
  • 3.3 Armenian
  • 3.4 Cantonese
  • 3.5 Chinese
  • 3.6 English
  • 3.7 Filipino
  • 3.8 Finnish
  • 3.9 French
  • 3.10 Georgian
  • 3.11 German
  • 3.12 Greek
  • 3.13 Hindi
  • 3.14 Irish
  • 3.15 Italian
  • 3.16 Latin
  • 3.17 Malay
  • 3.18 Manchu
  • 3.19 Mongolian
  • 3.20 Norwegian
  • 3.21 Portuguese
  • 3.22 Serbo-Croatian
  • 3.23 Somali
  • 3.24 Spanish
  • 3.25 Tibetan
  • 3.26 Uzbek and Uyghur
• 4 See also
• 5 References
• 6 Bibliography

Characteristics[edit]

The only requirement for a variety to be standard is that it can frequently be used in public places or public discourse.^[1]The creation of a prescriptive standard language derives from a desire for national (cultural, political, and social) cohesion, with this considered requiring an agreed-upon, standardized language variety.^{[citation needed]} Standard languages commonly feature:

• A recognized dictionary (standardized spelling and vocabulary)
• A recognized grammar
• A standard pronunciation (educated speech)
• A linguistic institution defining usage norms; e.g. Académie française or Real Academia Española
• Constitutional (legal) status (frequently as an official language)
• Effective public use (court, legislature, schools)
• A literary canon
• Convenience speaking^[7]
• Popularity and acceptance in the community^[7]
• Population^[7]
• Used in the broad-casting and news media