Sociolinguistics terminology

Grapheme

Smallest unit of writing

Phoneme

The smallest unit of sound that can change meaning

Accent

The way someone pronounces words (linked to region or social background)

Dialect

A variety of language including accent, grammar, and vocabulary

Overt Prestige

Status gained from using the “standard” or socially approved variety

Covert Prestige

Status gained from using a non-standard variety within a group

Idiolect

An individual’s unique way of speaking

Sociolect

A language variety associated with a social group

Dialect Convergence / Levelling

Dialects becoming more similar over time

Dialect Divergence

Dialects becoming more different over time

Ethnicity

A group identity based on shared culture, language, heritage, or nationality

Code switching

switching between languages or dialects

Heritage Language

A language spoken at home or tied to cultural identity, often alongside a dominant language

Patriarchy

A social system where men hold more power and dominance

Second Wave Feminism

1960s–80s movement focusing on equality in work, education, and rights

Third Wave Feminism

1990s–present movement focusing on diversity, identity, and intersectionality

Socialisation

The process of learning behaviours and norms of society (including gender roles)

Deficit Approach

View that women’s language is weaker or less effective than men’s

Dominance Approach

View that men dominate conversations and language reflects power imbalance

Difference Approach

View that men and women have different but equally valid communication styles

Hypercorrection

Overusing “correct” language forms to appear prestigious

Homogeneity

The idea that a group is uniform or similar

Heterogeneity

The idea that a group is diverse and varied

Constructionism / Constructionist

The idea that gender is socially created, not biologically fixed

Ideology

A set of beliefs or values that shape how people think

Gender Binary

The classification of gender into only male and female

Index / Indexicality

How language points to (indexes) social meanings or identities (e.g. accent indexing class)

Social Age

How old someone acts or is perceived socially

Sexuality

A person’s sexual identity or orientation

Heteronormativity

The assumption that heterosexuality is the default or “normal”

Linguistic Subordination

When one group’s language is seen as inferior

Linguistic Derogation

Using language negatively toward a group (e.g. “gay” as an insult)

Linguistic Reclamation

Reclaiming negative terms and using them positively (e.g. queer)

Cisgender

A person whose gender identity matches their biological sex

Communities of Practice (CoPs)

Groups who share activities and develop shared ways of speaking

Intersectionality

The idea that identity is shaped by overlapping factors (e.g. gender, race, class)

Enregister / Enregistering

The process by which language features become associated with a social group

Outgroup

A group someone does not identify with

Prestigious Minority Codes

Language varieties used by smaller groups that carry high status