Performing registers and registering performance: Young children's linguistic practices during play in the Greek Cypriot context

Abstract

The current paper explores language use among a group of preschool Greek Cypriot children during their play time at home. Based on theories of performance and register-formation the paper draws on ethnographic data in order to investigate the way Standard Modern Greek and the Cypriot Greek are used in children's micro-interactions. The methodology adopted was case study research of a network of five children for a period of eighteen months and the main data collection techniques were participant and non-participant observation of the children during their play activities, with audio recordings and rich field notes. Data analysis indicated that the two varieties were used in a dynamic way by the children to form collaborations during play time, to enact social roles, to reflect cultural values and ultimately to contribute through their performances in register (re)formation.