Sociolinguistics Sesson 2

LING1113

What is style-shifting?

When a speaker vary their speech based on context, audience, or situation

What was the main findings of Labov’s NYC department store study?

Use of post-vocalic /r/ increased with store prestige and formality: middle-class speakers shifted styles most

What does post-vocalic /r/ mean?

The pronounciation of /r/ after a vowel, like in ‘fourth floor’

What are overt and covert prestige?

Overt prestige: Socially approved, standard forms.
Covert prestige: non-standard forms valued in peer groups or subcultures

What is audience design (Bell, 1984)?

A theory suggesting speakers design their speech based on the audience’s identity or role.

What are the four types of audiences according to Bell?

Addressee, Auditor, Overhearer, Eavesdropper

How does audience design challenge earlier models of style?

It argues that speech changes are driven by who is listening, not just speaker attention or formality

What is speaker design?

A theory that emphasizes speakers’ active role in shaping their identity through language choices

Why is style important in sociolinguistics?

It shows how individuals use language to signal identity, affiliation, and social meaning.

How did Labov’s study prove social meaning in style?

Middle-class speakers increased /r/ use in formal settings, showing awareness of its social value