ENG510 Midterm Important Terms

ENG510

➡️What is Sociolinguistics?

Sociolinguistics studies the relationship between language and society, examining how language use varies across social contexts.

➡️Some Definitions of Sociolinguistics

The study of language in social contexts The examination of language variation and change The analysis of language as a social phenomenon

➡️Sociolinguistics and Linguistics

Sociolinguistics complements linguistics by focusing on language use beyond structural analysis.

➡️Sociolinguistics and the Sociology of Language

Sociolinguistics overlaps with sociology of language, but focuses on language-specific issues.

➡️Sociolinguistics and Other Disciplines

Anthropology Sociology Psychology Education

➡️Sociolinguistic Phenomena include:

Language variation Language change Language contact

➡️Varieties of Language include:

Dialects Registers Jargons Idiolects

➡️Linguistic Items

Phonological Morphological Syntactic Lexical

➡️Variety and Lect

Variety: a language subset Lect: a specific language variety

➡️Varieties of language:

Occupational dialects Ethnic dialects

Prestige Stigma Neutral

➡️Speech Communities

Speech communities are:

Groups sharing language norms Social networks Language repertoires

➡️Intersecting Communities

Communities intersect through:

Overlapping membership Shared language practices

➡️Rejecting the Idea of Speech Communities

Critics argue speech communities are: Too broad Too narrow Too static

➡️Networks and Repertoires

Describe language use Explain language variation

➡️Access to the Codes

Influences language use Affects language change

➡️Rigidity of the Social Matrix

Restricts language change Maintains language norms

➡️Variables and Variants

Describe language variation Explain language change

➡️Synchronic Variation

Studies language variation at a single point

➡️ Diachronic Variation

Studies language change over time

➡️ Some Examples of Dialects

Dialects:

Regional (e.g., Southern American) Social (e.g., African American Vernacular) Occupational (e.g., Medical jargon)

➡️ Standard Languages

Official recognition Widespread use