Sociolinguistics Session 3

LING1113

How does language reveal aspects of a speaker’s identity?

Language provides cues about a person’s gender, ethnicity, region, and even perceived traits like competence or friendliness. These cues shape how speakers are socially evaluated.

What are language attitudes and why do they matter?

Language attitudes refer to how people think or feel about different language varieties. Those attitudes affect how speakers are treated - with real consequences in education, employment, and social inclusion.

What is the difference between semantic shift and semantic derogation?

Semantic shift is a neutral chane in a word’s meaning over time, and semantic derogation is a shift where the word gains a more negative meaning, often reflecting societal biases (e.g., ‘hussy’ or ‘wench’, or ‘gay’ (happy) and ‘gay’ (homosexual).

How does language reflect social attitudes towards gender and class?

Language often encodes prejudice. Words for women, black speakers, or working-class people tend to shift negatively, whereas terms for dominant groups often retain or gain positive connotations.

What does the Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis suggest about language and thought?

It proposed that language influences perception:

-Strong version: language determines how we think

-Weak version: language, thought, and culture shape each other.

Example: ‘fireman’ vs ‘firefighter’ suggests gender bias in role perception.

Can changing language combat social inequality?

Yes, according to linguistic relativity, using more inclusive language can shift perceptions over time. Critics argue that changing beliefs is more important, but Meyerhoff notes language plays a powerful role in shaping norms.

What does it mean to reclaim derogatory terms?

It means reappropriating a slur to express group pride or resistance.
Example: the term ‘queer’ has been reclaimed by LGBTQ activists. This challenges dominant norms and empowers marginalised voices.

What is Social Identity Theory (SIT) ?

Henri Tajfel’s theory explains how people derive identity from group membership. Language is a symbol of group boundaries, and when inequalities are seen as unjust or unstable, people are more likely to resist.

What is the difference between personal and group identity in speech?

Personal indentity varies with mood, personality, and situation.

Group identity leads to shared norms, including speech

When group identity is salient, people adjust their language to conform to group expectations.

What is Accommodation Theory?

Developed by Howard Giles, it suggests speakers adapt their language depending on their audience:
Convergence: Becoming more similar (to fit in or build rapport)

Divergence: Emphasising differences (to assert identity or resist norms)

When and why do people converge in their speech?

People converge to:

-Improve communication efficiency

-Express solidarity

-Build social bonds

Example: Employees adopting a local accent in a new city.

When and why do people diverge in their speech?

People diverge to:

-Maintain cultural or social distance

-Resist assimilation or stereorypes

Example: A tourist intentionally keeping their home accent in a foreign country.