Sociolinguistics Chapters 1 and 2

Sociolinguistics

The study of how language varies and changes in social groups.

Dialects

Regional variations of a language that are distinguished by pronunciation, grammar, or vocabulary.

Social dialects

Variations of language associated with social factors such as class, ethnicity, or age.

Ebonics

A vernacular form of English spoken by some African American communities.

Linguistics

The scientific study of language and its structure.

Descriptive approach

An approach to linguistic analysis that describes how language is used without making judgments about correctness.

Prescriptive approach

An approach to language that establishes rules and standards for correct usage.

World Englishes

Different varieties of English used around the world, each with its own rules and norms.

Political correctness (PC)

Language that seeks to minimize offense to various groups, particularly those relating to social identities.

Micro Sociolinguistics

The study of how language functions in interpersonal communication.

Macro Sociolinguistics

The examination of the relationship between language and societal factors, including status and planning.

Language reform

Efforts to change language use in order to promote social justice or inclusivity.

Reproduction of Power

The process through which societal norms and power dynamics are maintained and reinforced through language.

Language as a System of Representation

Language can represent reality in various ways, where choices dictate what to include or omit.

Langue

The systemic aspect of language, shared by all speakers, representing competence.

Parole

The performance of speech, allowing access to the codes of langue.

Signifier

The sound pattern that represents a concept in the linguistic sign.

Signified

The concept that is represented by the sound pattern in the linguistic sign.

Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis

The theory that suggests language influences thought, with strong (determinism) and weak (relativism) interpretations.

Linguistic Determinism

The strong interpretation of the Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis that language determines thought.

Linguistic Relativism

The weak interpretation of the Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis that language influences thought.

Semiotics

The study of signs and symbols and their use or interpretation.

Political Correctness (PC)

Language and behavior that seeks to minimize offense to marginalized groups.

Marked ideology

An ideology that challenges the normative assumptions of a hegemonic ideology.

Communicative Competence

The ability to use language correctly and appropriately in various contexts.

Modality

The linguistic and paralinguistic means of expressing modality, including necessity, possibility, and permission.

Dialect

A variety of language that may reflect regional or social differences.

Prescriptive vs. Descriptive

Prescriptive refers to how language should be used, while descriptive refers to how language is actually used.