Questions and Answers
Jim displays the same pronunciation features as Sam.
False
Linguistic variation only occurs at the level of phonetic differences.
False
Vocabulary choices have no impact on conveying social information.
False
Dialectal differences do not affect linguistic styles in different social contexts.
Signup and view all the answers
Dialects can change depending on the topic of discussion and social factors.
Signup and view all the answers
The term 'variety' in sociolinguistics refers to a set of linguistic forms associated with social circumstances.
Signup and view all the answers
Linguistic variation can occur in grammar and vocabulary simultaneously.
Signup and view all the answers
University students in Hemnesberget used Bokmål consistently, regardless of the topic they discussed.
Signup and view all the answers
Ranamål is a standard dialect used universally in Norway.
Signup and view all the answers
Linguistic variation can provide insight into a person's social class.
Signup and view all the answers
The difference in speech between Sam and Jim reflects their different social backgrounds.
Signup and view all the answers
The term 'h-dropping' refers to the omission of the letter 'h' in speech.
Signup and view all the answers
Vocabulary choice can be influenced by the social class of the speaker.
Signup and view all the answers
Phonetic differences are irrelevant in understanding linguistic variation.
Signup and view all the answers
Different linguistic styles are used in the same social situations by all speakers.
Signup and view all the answers
All speakers of a language must use the same grammatical rules.
Signup and view all the answers
Using different dialects in various contexts reflects linguistic variation.
Signup and view all the answers
In monolingual communities, only a single style of communication is used regardless of the situation.
Signup and view all the answers
All dialects are equal in their grammatical structures and vocabulary choices.
Signup and view all the answers
Switching dialects is a conscious choice made by speakers at all times.
Signup and view all the answers
The woman's use of German effectively isolated her husband from his friends.
Signup and view all the answers
Distinctive linguistic repertoires do not affect interpersonal communication within communities.
Signup and view all the answers
Grammatical structures remain unchanged regardless of the social context in which they are used.
Signup and view all the answers
An individual's linguistic repertoire includes only the standard language of their community.
Signup and view all the answers
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.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Description
This quiz explores the concepts of sociolinguistics, focusing on social influences on language choice and linguistic variation. Participants will analyze examples of vocabulary and expression reflecting social factors. Test your understanding of how language varies within different social contexts.
