Linguistics 1020: Language and Environment

These flashcards cover vocabulary from the 'Language and Environment' course, focusing on key concepts related to sociolinguistics and communication styles.

Addressee

The person to whom speech is directed, influencing speech style.

Motherese

Simplified speech used by adults when talking to infants or young children.

Accommodation theory

The idea that speakers alter their speech style to become more similar to their conversational partner.

Speech convergence

The process of adapting speech to become more like that of the addressee.

Speech divergence

Deliberately not accommodating to the speech style of another, often indicating negative attitudes.

Stylization

When someone alters their speech significantly to perform or imitate a style.

Hypercorrection

Using forms of speech that extend beyond standard language norms due to linguistic insecurity.

Stereotypes

Linguistic features that are negatively evaluated and stigmatized.

Markers

Linguistic features that indicate social class and identity.

Indicators

Linguistic features without overt social evaluation; they indicate social or regional variation.

Social distance

The perceived psychological distance between speakers, affecting their speech styles.

Register

Specialized language used within particular occupational or social groups.

Audience design

The influence of the audience on a speaker's style and choices in communication.

Vernacular

The language or dialect spoken by the ordinary people in a particular region.

Formal contexts

Settings where the social roles dictate the appropriate linguistic forms.

Informal contexts

Casual settings where speech styles may vary significantly from formal ones.

Social status

A person's standing in society that can influence their language use.

Linguistic insecurity

Uncertainty about language usage that can lead to hypercorrection.

Politeness

Linguistic strategies employed to show respect or deference to another speaker.

Bilingualism

The ability to use two languages fluently, which can affect speech accommodation.

Speech community

A group of people sharing a common language or dialect.

Intonation

The rise and fall of voice pitch in speech that can convey different meanings.

Vernacular grammar

Non-standard grammatical features that can indicate local or social identity.

Pantomime

A dramatic performance that can include aspects of stylization in speech.

Language variation

Differences in language use among speakers from different social, cultural, or regional backgrounds.

Cultural context

The circumstances surrounding the use of language that inform the style and meaning.