Sociolinguistics: Language and Society

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Questions and Answers

Jim displays the same pronunciation features as Sam.

False (B)

Linguistic variation only occurs at the level of phonetic differences.

False (B)

Vocabulary choices have no impact on conveying social information.

False (B)

Dialectal differences do not affect linguistic styles in different social contexts.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Dialects can change depending on the topic of discussion and social factors.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The term 'variety' in sociolinguistics refers to a set of linguistic forms associated with social circumstances.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Linguistic variation can occur in grammar and vocabulary simultaneously.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

University students in Hemnesberget used Bokmål consistently, regardless of the topic they discussed.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Ranamål is a standard dialect used universally in Norway.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Linguistic variation can provide insight into a person's social class.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The difference in speech between Sam and Jim reflects their different social backgrounds.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The term 'h-dropping' refers to the omission of the letter 'h' in speech.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Vocabulary choice can be influenced by the social class of the speaker.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Phonetic differences are irrelevant in understanding linguistic variation.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Different linguistic styles are used in the same social situations by all speakers.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

All speakers of a language must use the same grammatical rules.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Using different dialects in various contexts reflects linguistic variation.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In monolingual communities, only a single style of communication is used regardless of the situation.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

All dialects are equal in their grammatical structures and vocabulary choices.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Switching dialects is a conscious choice made by speakers at all times.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The woman's use of German effectively isolated her husband from his friends.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Distinctive linguistic repertoires do not affect interpersonal communication within communities.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Grammatical structures remain unchanged regardless of the social context in which they are used.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

An individual's linguistic repertoire includes only the standard language of their community.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Levels of Linguistic Variation

Linguistic variation is present not only in phonetics, but also in vocabulary, grammar, and other aspects of language.

Vocabulary and Social Information

Vocabulary choices significantly contribute to conveying social information about the speaker.

Dialect Adaptability

Dialects adapt based on the discussion topic and various social dynamics at play.

Variety (Sociolinguistics)

In sociolinguistics, it refers to a range of linguistic forms associated with specific social contexts.

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Speech and Social Background

Differences in speech patterns can be indicative of varying social backgrounds.

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'H-dropping'

This refers to the frequent omission of the /h/ sound at the beginning of words.

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Social Class and Vocabulary

A speaker's social class can influence the vocabulary they use.

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Linguistic Styles

Speakers use different linguistic styles depending on the social situation.

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Grammatical Rule Variation

Speakers of a language may adhere to different grammatical rules.

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Dialect Switching

Adopting different dialects based on the context exemplifies linguistic variation.

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Study Notes

Social Influences on Language Choice

  • Henry owns the biggest house in Halton, highlighting social status impacts on language perception.
  • Sociolinguists study linguistic variation influenced by social factors, including vocabulary, pronunciation, morphology, and syntax.

Linguistic Variation

  • Vocabulary choices reflect social information (e.g., “that bastard Sootbucket” vs. “my teacher Mr. Sutton”).
  • Pronunciation differences, such as Sam dropping his aitches while Jim does not, denote educational and occupational backgrounds.
  • Different social contexts require different linguistic styles, potentially involving distinct dialects or languages.

Example of Dialect Variation

  • In Hemnesberget, Norway, university students switch from their local dialect (Ranamål) to standard dialect (Bokmål) when discussing national politics, illustrating topic-related dialect variation.
  • Social factors—participants, setting, and discussion topic—motivate dialect choices.

Concept of Variety

  • "Variety" or "code" refers to sets of linguistic forms patterned by social factors, including accents, dialects, and styles.
  • A variety is used under specific social circumstances, affecting communication dynamics in different contexts.

Impact of Language on Relationships

  • An example involved a woman using German to confront her husband over his neglect of domestic duties, showcasing how language can isolate someone socially while conveying strong messages.

Repertoires in Speech Communities

  • Individuals possess distinctive linguistic repertoires comprising various styles and dialects appropriate for varying contexts.
  • In monolingual communities, linguistic repertoires may vary based on the relationship or situation (e.g., different speech with a baker versus a bank manager).
  • Each speech community offers members a selection of available linguistic varieties, influencing communication styles and expressiveness.

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