Sociolinguistics

‘ Sociolinguistics is the field that studies the relation between language and society, between the uses of language and the social structures in which the users of language live. It is a field of study that assumes that human society is made up of many related patterns and behaviours, some of which are linguistic.’ (Spolsky, 1998: 3)

Sociolinguistics’ view is that all languages have a variation system that obeys to socially relevant strengths and facts, therefore it aims to explain language variation on to social conditions.

Sociolinguists look at ‘the complex connections between the variations within a language and the matching variation in the social groups that use it’ (Spolsky, 1998: 5).

Sociolinguistics studies language adopting two approaches the synchronic approach (variation of language at a specific point in time) and the diachronic approach (variation of language over time).

‘Micro-sociolinguistics focuses on the social aspects of language, while macro-sociolinguistics examines how linguistic features can provide explanations for certain social phenomena. In other words, micro-sociolinguistics investigates how society influences the way people communicate, while macro-sociolinguistics studies society in relation to language.’

http://www.bookrags.com/research/sociolinguistics-eci-03/

Language does not exist in a vacuum, it is a social phenomenon. The structure of a society has some impact on the language of the speakers of that society.

We will look in lesson at the ways in which languages:

1.vary internally, and at the factors which create/sustain such variation,

2.The relationship between language & society

3.Attitudes to language

Languages contain many levels of internal variation, related to such variables as:

Any variety of a language characterized by systematic differences in pronunciation, grammar, and vocabulary from other varieties of the same language is called a dialect.

Everyone speaks a dialect in fact, many dialects at different levels. The people who speak a certain dialect re called a speech community.

British English vs. American English vs. Australian English (along with others). Northern American English, Southern American English, etc.Brit/American: lay by/rest area, petrol/gasoline, lorry/truck, minerals/soft drinks

1. Geographical and social mobility: Changes of place and social status.

2. Gender and power: For example, the different accents that men and women have even from the same geographical area

3. Age: E.g. Older people use language differently

4. Audience: This is when speakers adjust their accent, style or language towards their addressees.

5. Identity: This aspect shows social and individual identity through language

6. Social network relations: When individuals have strong or weak ties to a group

Language creates society

David Crystal has defined language as “the systematic, conventional use of sounds, signs, or written symbols in a human society for communication and self-expression.” Thus, language is socially determined and its use is governed by social convention.

Questions of language and society:

Is E-mail ruining the language? Are we less literate than we used to be?

These questions reflect how language is a social phenomenon and how language is socially determined by social convention…

What are language attitudes?

Language attitudes are the feelings people have about their own language variety or the languages or language varieties of others. For example:

“Children can’t speak or write properly any more.”

‘’Everyone has an accent except me’’

Why are language attitudes important in ELT?

1. Language attitudes influence on language policy decisions According to Schiffman (1996) language attitudes are a part of linguistic culture and since language policy is often rooted in linguistic culture, attitudes cannot be ignored

2. Language attitudes may influence how teachers deal with pupils

3. Attitudes about language may affect second language learning

Have some fun looking at Hugh Laurie and Ellen Degeneres in an interview where they comment on some slang variations between American and British English:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wYmrg3owTRE&feature=related

Enjoy!!!!