3.2.1 Language variation

Idiolect

The distinctive speech of an individual

Sociolect

A variety of speech associated with a particular social group

Dialect

A regional or social variety of language distinguished by pronunciation, grammar and vocabulary

Register

Variations in language dependent on context. Also known as codes

Code switching

The practise of moving back and forth between two languages or two registers or dialects of the same language

Macro-level approaches

The study of large categories of social groups such as social classes, age or gender

Micro-level approaches

The study of individuals or small-scale interactions

Overt prestige

A prestigious variety of language associated with standard form such as received pronunciation

Covert prestige

A prestigious variety of language associated with non standard or vernacular forms

Vernacular language

Non-prestigious way of speaking by ordinary people

Extralinguistic variable

Independent variables like social class, age, sex, ethnic group or contextual style

Sociolinguistic variable

Two ways of saying the same thing

Neologisms

A new word or phrase

Blending, clipping and and compounding

• Blending: two words coming together, usually involving the elimination of some letters such as brunch, smog, motel

• Clipping: shortening words for speaking purposes such as exam/examination, phone/telephone

• Compounding: Putting two words together to create a new meaning such as software, boyfriend, breakfast

Hypocorisms

Words contracted and suffixed to become more familiar such as Amanda/Mandy and chip shop/chippy

Acronyms

Phrases, names or words shortened into initials such as E.U or laser (light amplification by the stimulated emission of radiation)