68-96 Sociolinguistics

Key Idea: Multilingualism and Diglossia

Quote: “Multilingualism refers to the ability of an individual or community to use more than one language. Diglossia refers to the stable coexistence of high and low varieties within a community.”

Key Idea: Bilingualism is Not Confusion

Quote: “Bilingualism is not inherently problematic; bilinguals often demonstrate superior cognitive abilities because they manage more than one system of communication.”

Key Idea: Language and Identity

Quote: “Language is not merely a tool for communication; it is a crucial marker of identity and social belonging.”

Key Idea: Language Variation by Context

Quote: “When people communicate, they select from a repertoire of linguistic forms based on their social setting, relationships, and the context of their conversation.”

Key Idea: Power Dynamics in Language Use

Quote: “Languages can be dominant not because of their inherent qualities, but because of the social and political power of their speakers.”

Key Idea: Lingua Franca and Global English

Quote: “English is a modern example of a lingua franca, not because of its innate features, but because of the prestige and power associated with its speakers.”

Key Idea: Translation as Interpretation

Quote: “Every act of translation involves cultural and personal interpretation; there is no such thing as a purely neutral translation.”

Key Idea: Pidgin and Creole

Quote: “Pidgin languages develop as a means of communication between speakers of different languages, often simplified and grammatically incomplete. If these pidgins become nativized, they may evolve into creoles.”

Key Idea: Language Prejudice

Quote: “Nonstandard dialects, slang, and mixed languages like Spanglish are often stigmatized, but they reveal social hierarchies rather than linguistic deficiencies.”

Key Idea: Language as a Symbol of Group Identity

Quote: “Language acts as a boundary marker for communities; it signifies membership and exclusion, playing a symbolic role in defining ‘us’ versus ‘them.’”

Key Idea: English in Historical Context

Quote: “In the 16th century, English was seen as ‘worth nothing’ in many parts of the world, but through empire, commerce, and cultural dominance, it rose to global prominence.”

Key Idea: Nation and Language Connection (Renan)

Quote: “A nation is a soul, a spiritual principle. … The essence of a nation is that all individuals have many things in common, and also that they have forgotten many things.” (Ernest Renan, p. 77)

Key Idea: Language Change and Identity

Quote: “Language change is often rooted in social dynamics; as communities shift, so do their linguistic practices, which helps to reinforce new social identities.”

Key Idea: Dialect and Accent Prejudice

Quote: “Standard dialects are perceived as more competent and prestigious, while nonstandard varieties are often unfairly associated with lower status.”

Key Idea: Language's Role in Education

Quote: “The language of education is often standardized, leading to the exclusion of dialects and nonstandard forms that do not fit the ‘correct’ model.”

Key Idea: The Flexibility of Multilingual Speakers

Quote: “Multilingual speakers demonstrate cognitive flexibility, adjusting their language use based on the social and communicative demands of the situation.”