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Questions and Answers
What is sociolinguistics primarily concerned with?
What is sociolinguistics primarily concerned with?
- The study of ancient languages.
- The formal structure of language.
- The physiological aspects of speech production.
- The relationship between language and society. (correct)
Which of the following best exemplifies a 'variant' in sociolinguistics?
Which of the following best exemplifies a 'variant' in sociolinguistics?
- The underlying grammatical rules of a language
- Different ways of pronouncing the word 'car' (correct)
- The concept of needing an automobile
- The abstract idea of needing sustenance
What is the focus of synchronic language variation?
What is the focus of synchronic language variation?
- The reconstruction of proto-languages.
- Language change over long historical periods.
- The evolution of writing systems.
- Language variation at a single point in time. (correct)
What does 'diachronic' language variation primarily concern?
What does 'diachronic' language variation primarily concern?
In sociolinguistics, what does the term 'variable' refer to?
In sociolinguistics, what does the term 'variable' refer to?
Which concept is central to understanding how language reflects social identity?
Which concept is central to understanding how language reflects social identity?
What is a key consideration in sociolinguistic research, according to Labov?
What is a key consideration in sociolinguistic research, according to Labov?
What does the term 'language variation' refer to?
What does the term 'language variation' refer to?
Which social factor can influence language variation?
Which social factor can influence language variation?
What is the primary focus when examining the 'language use' aspect?
What is the primary focus when examining the 'language use' aspect?
What is the main focus of the 'first wave' of sociolinguistics?
What is the main focus of the 'first wave' of sociolinguistics?
What methodology is highly characteristic of the 'second wave' of sociolinguistics?
What methodology is highly characteristic of the 'second wave' of sociolinguistics?
Which perspective defines the 'third wave' of sociolinguistics?
Which perspective defines the 'third wave' of sociolinguistics?
What does the concept of 'doing things that have value in the community' imply in the context of language variation?
What does the concept of 'doing things that have value in the community' imply in the context of language variation?
What is the term for regional or social varieties of a language?
What is the term for regional or social varieties of a language?
What can social and regional language variants be precursors of?
What can social and regional language variants be precursors of?
How does language reflect social relationships?
How does language reflect social relationships?
Which of the following describes the main concern of sociolinguistics?
Which of the following describes the main concern of sociolinguistics?
What does 'language use' refer to?
What does 'language use' refer to?
Which social factor is LEAST likely to influence synchronic language variation?
Which social factor is LEAST likely to influence synchronic language variation?
What is meant when language is described as a social phenomenon?
What is meant when language is described as a social phenomenon?
What might 'not doing things that are not appreciated' reflect in language use?
What might 'not doing things that are not appreciated' reflect in language use?
Who is mentioned as having laid the foundation for sociolinguistics?
Who is mentioned as having laid the foundation for sociolinguistics?
According to the material, what is a key aspect of language?
According to the material, what is a key aspect of language?
What does the course aim to help students understand?
What does the course aim to help students understand?
What should students be able to do after completing the course?
What should students be able to do after completing the course?
According to the final exam details, what is the scope of chapters covered?
According to the final exam details, what is the scope of chapters covered?
What does the course material include beyond the textbook?
What does the course material include beyond the textbook?
What kind of material is part of the examination, besides the lectures and course material?
What kind of material is part of the examination, besides the lectures and course material?
According to the information, what is considered a politically neutral endeavor?
According to the information, what is considered a politically neutral endeavor?
What does the 'portfolio' refer to of the course?
What does the 'portfolio' refer to of the course?
Which factor is mentioned that can be crucial for memory formation and encoding new information?
Which factor is mentioned that can be crucial for memory formation and encoding new information?
What are the plenary lectures?
What are the plenary lectures?
Whose book is used for the course content?
Whose book is used for the course content?
How are the student expected to orient themselves?
How are the student expected to orient themselves?
What do lecturer hope the student do?
What do lecturer hope the student do?
How much time should the student invest every week?
How much time should the student invest every week?
In what situation can harm be ensured avoided?
In what situation can harm be ensured avoided?
Which of the following elements is considered in synchronic language variation?
Which of the following elements is considered in synchronic language variation?
What is a 'variant' in sociolinguistics?
What is a 'variant' in sociolinguistics?
What do the seminars primarily focus on?
What do the seminars primarily focus on?
For this course, what percentage does the final exam account for in the overall assessment?
For this course, what percentage does the final exam account for in the overall assessment?
What must be considered to ensure harm is avoided?
What must be considered to ensure harm is avoided?
Flashcards
What are Variants?
What are Variants?
The different forms a variable can take in language.
What is a Variable?
What is a Variable?
An abstract concept that can be expressed in different forms (variants).
What is Sociolinguistics?
What is Sociolinguistics?
The study of language in its social and cultural context.
What is Synchronic Variation?
What is Synchronic Variation?
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What is Diachronic Variation?
What is Diachronic Variation?
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What is Language Variation?
What is Language Variation?
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What is the first wave of sociolinguistics?
What is the first wave of sociolinguistics?
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What is the second wave of sociolinguistics?
What is the second wave of sociolinguistics?
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What is the third wave of sociolinguistics?
What is the third wave of sociolinguistics?
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What is the Observer's Paradox?
What is the Observer's Paradox?
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Study Notes
Sociolinguistics Basics
- Sociolinguistics was first used by Haver Currie in 1952.
- Sociolinguistics examines language within its social and cultural context
- Sociolinguistics studies the interplay between language and society.
- Sociolinguistics is the study of how language is used in social and cultural contexts.
- It also studies the relationship between language and society
- Language reflects and shapes social relationships between people.
- Language use is defined as how and why people use language.
- Language variation includes different language varieties and their use in differing situations.
Variables and Variants
- Variants are the different ways a variable can be realized.
- The difference in proportion of variants is relative, not absolute.
- The envelope of variation is the context of the variable.
- A variable is an abstract representation of the source of variation.
- Lexical variables involve words and their meanings.
- Syntactic variables include the combination of words into sentences.
- Morphological variables concern word formation.
- Phonological variables relate to sounds.
- In statistics, a variable is the dependent variable.
Language Variation
- Language variation can occur synchronically, concerning gender, social class, ethnicity, age, registers, styles, and place.
- Language variation can occur diachronically
- People use language to show group belonging and to differentiate themselves.
- Language is used to express community values
- Language is used to follow or disregard social conventions
- Language helps express concerns and opinions
Language Change
- Language change originates from synchronic variation
- The completion of change is different than the process of change
- Social and regional language variations can be precursors to language change
Waves of Sociolinguistic Practice
- First wave: Macrosociological Categories as explored in Labov's "The Social Stratification of English in New York City" (1966).
- Second wave: Ethnographic Approach is shown in Rickford's "Ethnicity as a Sociolinguistic Boundary" (1985).
- Third wave: Stylistic Perspective exemplified in Bucholtz's "Why be normal?": Language and identity practices in a community of nerd girls" (1999).
Research Considerations
- Qualitative and quantitative sociolinguistics need to be considered
- The observer's paradox is about people behaving differently when observed
- Researchers intention to do no harm is important.
- The production of knowledge is not politically neutral
Course Objectives and Assessment
- Gain knowledge of basic concepts, theories, figures, and insights in sociolinguistics.
- Understand complex relationships between language and society.
- Identify, analyze, and research sociolinguistic problems.
- Participate in debates on sociolinguistic matters.
- The midterm exam is 25% of the grade, covering Chapters 1-4 plus course materials
- The final exam is 50% of the grade, covering Chapters 1-12 (except 5), plus course materials
- A portfolio is 25% of the grade, consisting of seminar assignments and two research reports.
- Lectures and seminars cover topics not in the textbook.
- All textbook material is examinable except chapter 5.
- Plenary lectures will be in English
- Seminar groups 1 and 3 will be in Dutch, led by Dr. Anne-France Pinget.
- Seminar groups 2 and 4 will be in English, led by Dr. Sanne Ditewig.
- Exams, assignments, and reports are completed in your seminar group's language.
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