Sociolinguistics LLA M02 Chapter Three Real Time and Apparent Time PDF

**Module: Sociolinguistics** **Specialty: LLA** **Level: Master 02** **Instructor: Dr. Amina RABEHI** **Chapter Three: Real Time and Apparent Time** *Textbook Reference*: Meyerhoff, Miriam. Introducing Sociolinguistics, 2nd Edition Date: 20/11/2024 **Lecture Overview** This lecture explores...

**Module: Sociolinguistics** **Specialty: LLA** **Level: Master 02** **Instructor: Dr. Amina RABEHI** **Chapter Three: Real Time and Apparent Time** *Textbook Reference*: Meyerhoff, Miriam. Introducing Sociolinguistics, 2nd Edition Date: 20/11/2024 **Lecture Overview** This lecture explores how sociolinguists study language change over time using *real-time* and *apparent-time* methodologies. Real-time studies observe language evolution by comparing data collected at different times, while apparent-time studies infer changes by analyzing age-related variation within a single timeframe. We will examine key case studies, including Labov's work on /r/ in New York City, Tagliamonte's analysis of grammatical shifts, and revisitations of Martha's Vineyard. The session also discusses profiles of change, such as the S-curve, and highlights challenges like the assumptions of apparent-time studies and the resource demands of real-time studies. Examples from Algerian linguistic contexts will be used to enhance understanding. **Key Topics** 1. **Real-Time Studies of Change** - Longitudinal analysis of language change over actual time. - Methods: Panel and Trend Studies. - Example: Labov's study of /r/ in New York City. 2. **Apparent-Time Studies of Change** - Inference of change through age-based variation. - Case Studies: Tagliamonte (1998), Cameron (1998), Blondeau et al. (2003), Martha's Vineyard Revisited (2003). 3. **Profiles of Change** - Patterns of linguistic evolution, e.g., S-curve and linear progression. 4. **Challenges in Sampling** - Real-time: Time and cost issues. - Apparent-time: Assumptions about age-stable language use. 5. **Relevance to Algeria** - Application of these methods in multilingual and diglossic contexts. **Key Terms** - **Language Change**: Is the process by which linguistic features evolve over time in a speech community. It refers to the gradual evolution of linguistic features---such as sounds, words, grammar, and meanings---within a speech community over time. This process is influenced by various factors, including social interactions, cultural shifts, technological advancements, and contact with other languages. For example, new vocabulary may emerge due to technological innovations, as seen with terms like *email* or *smartphone*. Similarly, grammatical structures can shift over generations as speakers simplify or regularize patterns, such as the gradual decline in the use of *whom* in English. Pronunciation also evolves, often reflecting regional or social distinctions, as in the historical shift from Middle English to Modern English during the Great Vowel Shift. An example is the evolution of the long vowel in the word *bite*. In Middle English, the word was pronounced as \"beet\" (with a long \[iː\] sound), but by the time of Modern English, it shifted to \"bite\" with the diphthong \[aɪ\] Language change is a natural and ongoing phenomenon, highlighting the dynamic and adaptive nature of human communication. Sociolinguists study these changes to understand how languages respond to and reflect the societies in which they are used. - **Real-Time Studies**: observe language change by collecting and comparing data from the same community at different points in time. This approach directly tracks how linguistic features evolve, such as changes in pronunciation or grammar over decades. While reliable for documenting change, real-time studies require significant time, resources, and consistency in methodology. - **Apparent-Time Studies**: infer language change by analyzing speech from different age groups at a single point in time. Older speakers are assumed to represent earlier language stages, while younger speakers show newer trends. This method is quicker and more cost-effective but relies on the assumption that an individual's linguistic patterns remain stable after adolescence. **Learning Objectives** By the end of this session, you should: 1. Understand the distinction between real-time and apparent-time studies. 2. Be familiar with notable case studies and their findings. 3. Recognize the challenges associated with these methodologies. **2. Real-Time Studies of Change (Trend Studies) (30 minutes)** **What Are Real-Time Studies?** - Real-time studies compare language data from the same or similar speech communities across different time periods. - **Two Types**: 1. **Panel Studies**: - Follow the same individuals over time to track changes in their speech. - Example: Examining how a child's language develops into adulthood. 2. **Trend Studies**: - Collect data from different speakers in the same community at different times. - Example: Analyzing the speech of 20-year-olds in 1970 and comparing it to 20-year-olds in 2000. **Example from Meyerhoff (2018): Labov's Study in New York City** **Labov\'s Study on /r/ Pronunciation**\ William Labov\'s influential study, conducted in 1966, focused on the pronunciation of the post-vocalic /r/ (the \"r\" sound in words like *car* and *farm*) in New York City. He observed that this feature was used differently across social classes: higher socioeconomic groups used the rhotic /r/ more frequently, while working-class speakers tended to drop it. Labov's research highlighted how linguistic choices were tied to social prestige, as the rhotic /r/ was seen as a symbol of higher status. **Follow-up Study**\ In a follow-up study conducted decades later, Labov found that the use of the post-vocalic /r/ had increased across all social classes, suggesting a broader societal shift. This change reflected a growing prestige of rhotic speech, indicating that linguistic patterns were influenced by societal factors such as education, media, and changes in social attitudes. **Strengths and Limitations of Real-Time Studies** **Strengths**\ Real-time studies, such as Labov's, offer **direct evidence of language change** because they track how linguistic features evolve over actual time. By comparing data from different time periods, these studies can identify long-term **linguistic trends** and document how a community\'s speech patterns shift. This method provides a clear picture of how language reflects broader social changes, as seen in the shift toward increased use of the rhotic /r/ across social classes in Labov's study. **Limitations**\ However, real-time studies also come with significant challenges. They can be **time-consuming and expensive**, as they often require years or even decades of data collection and analysis. For example, following up with the same participants over several decades can be logistically difficult. Another limitation is **attrition**: in panel studies, where the same individuals are studied over time, participants may drop out due to personal reasons, moving away, or simply losing interest, which can affect the consistency of the data. In trend studies, which compare data from different speakers at different times, there may be **differences in sample representativeness**. Over time, the community may change in ways that affect the linguistic data, such as demographic shifts or migration, making comparisons across time periods less reliable. **3. Apparent-Time Studies of Change (35 minutes)** **What Are Apparent-Time Studies?** - Apparent-time studies analyze the speech of individuals from different age groups to infer language change. - Assumption: Older speakers reflect an earlier stage of the language, while younger speakers reflect current trends. - Example: If older speakers use a traditional dialectal form more frequently than younger speakers, it suggests the form is declining. **Advantages** - Cost-effective and faster than real-time studies. - Useful for studying communities where long-term data collection is impractical. **Limitations** - Relies on the assumption that older speakers do not significantly change their speech after adolescence. - Does not account for lifespan change, where individuals might adopt new features as they age. **Case Studies from Meyerhoff (2018)** 1. **Tagliamonte (1998)**: In her 1998 study, Sali Tagliamonte investigated grammatical variation in English, focusing on how speakers of different age groups use forms such as *have got* and *have*. This variation provides insight into language change over time, as it reflects the evolution of linguistic preferences across generations. Tagliamonte found that younger speakers tended to favor the newer form *have got*, while older generations showed a preference for the more traditional *have*. For example, when discussing possession, younger speakers might say, \"I've got a car,\" whereas older speakers are more likely to say, \"I have a car.\" This generational difference suggests that *have got* is becoming more prevalent in contemporary English, signaling an ongoing shift in grammatical usage. The study highlights the value of examining age-related patterns to understand broader processes of language change in real-time and apparent-time frameworks. - Investigated grammatical variation in English, such as the use of *have got* versus *have* in different age groups. - Found generational differences in preference, showing how younger speakers adopt newer forms. 2. **Cameron (1998)**: In her 1998 study, Deborah Cameron explored the intersection of gender and linguistic variation in Spanish-speaking communities, shedding light on the role of women in driving linguistic innovation. Cameron\'s research found that women often serve as leaders of linguistic change, adopting and spreading new forms of speech within their communities. For instance, in a Spanish-speaking context, women may favor innovative phonological or syntactic forms over traditional ones, such as the adoption of less stigmatized regional accents or newer grammatical structures. This phenomenon has been observed across various sociolinguistic studies and reflects broader social dynamics where women's language use often aligns with greater social mobility or prestige. Cameron's findings highlight the intricate link between gender roles and language evolution, emphasizing that linguistic change is not just a mechanical process but one deeply embedded in social interactions and gendered experiences. - Explored gender and linguistic variation in Spanish-speaking communities. - Demonstrated how women's speech often leads linguistic change, reflecting their role in adopting innovative forms. 3. **Blondeau et al. (2003)**: In their 2003 study, Helen Blondeau and colleagues examined phonetic variation in Montreal French, focusing on the pronunciation of the rhotic consonant /r/. They found that younger speakers were increasingly adopting a more standardized uvular pronunciation of /r/ (as in \[ʁ\]), replacing the traditional apical or trilled variant (as in \[r\]). This shift reflects broader societal changes, including the influence of education, media, and social mobility, which often promote standardized linguistic forms. For example, in words like *rue* (street), younger speakers were more likely to pronounce the /r/ with a uvular articulation, aligning with prestige norms in modern Quebec French, whereas older speakers might use a more regional or traditional pronunciation. This generational trend underscores how phonetic changes can serve as markers of evolving social values and linguistic norms, illustrating the dynamic relationship between language use and societal transformation. - Analyzed phonetic variation in Montreal French. - Found younger speakers adopting more standardized forms of /r/, reflecting societal changes. 4. **Jane Pope (2003) Revisiting Labov's Martha's Vineyard Study**: In 2003, Jane Pope revisited William Labov's groundbreaking 1963 study on Martha's Vineyard, offering fresh insights into how linguistic features reflect social identity. Labov\'s original study revealed that fishermen on the island deliberately emphasized traditional vowel pronunciations, such as centralized diphthongs in words like *house* (\[həʊs\] becoming more like \[hɐʊs\]) and *time* (\[taɪm\] becoming closer to \[tɐɪm\]). This speech pattern was a marker of local identity, as the fishermen used these features to differentiate themselves from tourists and to assert their connection to the island's traditional way of life. Pope's follow-up study discovered that younger speakers were re-adopting these distinct features, despite the increasing influence of mainland norms. This revival suggests a renewed pride in local identity, as younger generations reclaimed these linguistic markers to express solidarity with their community and its cultural heritage. Pope's findings illustrate how language can cyclically serve as a tool for reinforcing social identity, particularly in the face of external cultural pressures. - Labov's original study (1963) showed how fishermen emphasized their traditional vowel pronunciation to assert island identity. - Pope's follow-up found younger speakers re-adopting these features, reflecting renewed pride in local identity. **4. Profiles of Change (20 minutes)** **Definition** - Profiles of change track how specific linguistic variables evolve across time or generations, often illustrating patterns such as: - *S-curve*: Slow adoption, rapid uptake, then stabilization. - *Linear progression*: Steady increase or decrease. Profiles of change are a tool used in sociolinguistics to trace how specific linguistic variables develop over time or across generations, revealing distinct patterns in language evolution. These profiles often illustrate trends such as the *S-curve*, where a linguistic feature is adopted slowly at first, followed by a period of rapid uptake, and then stabilizes as it becomes widely accepted. Alternatively, change may follow a linear progression, with a feature steadily increasing or decreasing in use over time. **Example** For example, in Algerian urban centers, the shift from traditional dialects to Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) provides a clear case of linguistic change. Generational profiles in such settings might show that younger speakers increasingly use MSA forms, particularly in formal contexts or when engaging with media, while older speakers continue to favor regional dialects that reflect their local heritage. For instance, a younger speaker might say *ana adrusu* ("I study") using MSA, whereas an older speaker might use the regional form *naqra* for the same meaning. These profiles highlight not only the dynamics of language change but also the social factors driving these shifts, such as education, urbanization, and the influence of national identity. **Interactive Discussion:** - *What profile of change do you think best describes language variation in multilingual Algerian communities? Why?* The profile of change that best describes language variation in multilingual Algerian communities is likely a **combination of the S-curve and linear progression**, depending on the linguistic feature and context. This complexity arises from Algeria's unique sociolinguistic landscape, shaped by the coexistence of Arabic dialects, Modern Standard Arabic (MSA), Berber languages, and French. 1. **S-curve for Standardization**: The gradual adoption of MSA in urban centers, influenced by education and media, can resemble an S-curve. Initially, MSA was used sparingly, primarily in formal or official contexts, but its use expanded rapidly among younger, educated speakers. Now, it is stabilizing as a marker of formality and national identity, though it is not fully integrated into daily communication due to the dominance of regional dialects in informal settings. 2. **Linear Progression for French Influence**: The influence of French in Algerian communities shows a more linear trend, especially among older generations and urban elites. While younger speakers continue to use French, its prominence might be slowly declining in favor of English as a global lingua franca, particularly in academic and professional fields. 3. **Why This Fits**: Multilingual Algerian communities reflect a dynamic interplay of factors such as education, globalization, and regional identity. Younger generations adopt standardized or globalized forms (like MSA or English) due to their association with modernity and upward mobility. At the same time, regional dialects and Berber languages persist, especially in rural areas, as symbols of cultural heritage and local identity. This multifaceted variation highlights how linguistic change in Algeria is not uniform but influenced by generational, educational, and regional dynamics, making it a blend of both the S-curve and linear progression profiles. **Challenges Associated with Real-Time and Apparent-Time Sampling** **1. Challenges in the Real Time Studies** Real-time studies examine linguistic variation by collecting data from the same community over an extended period, often spanning years or decades. While these studies provide valuable insights into language change as it occurs, they present several challenges: - **Time and Cost Constraints**: Conducting long-term research requires significant resources, including funding and personnel, which may not be sustainable over decades. - **Maintaining Consistency Across Decades**: Methodological consistency can be difficult to achieve as researchers, tools, and technologies evolve. For example, the recording equipment used in the 1980s differs significantly from modern digital tools, potentially affecting data quality and analysis. - **Impact of Social Changes**: Shifts in the community, such as migration, economic transitions, or changes in social norms, can affect language use and make direct comparisons across time problematic. For instance, if a formerly rural community becomes urbanized, language use may shift due to new influences, complicating interpretations of change. 3. **Challenges in Apparent-Time Studies** Apparent-time studies analyze language variation by comparing the speech of different age groups at a single point in time, assuming that differences reflect historical change. However, this approach also has limitations: - **Lifespan Changes**: Speakers' language can evolve throughout their lives due to societal pressures, education, or exposure to different linguistic environments. For example, an older speaker may adopt younger speech patterns to fit in with their community, blurring the apparent-time snapshot. - **Misinterpreting Stable Differences**: Apparent-time studies might incorrectly interpret stable generational differences as evidence of change. For instance, younger speakers' preference for slang could be seen as a linguistic shift, when it might simply reflect a temporary stage of life rather than a permanent change in the language. These challenges highlight the need for careful interpretation and, where possible, a combination of real-time and apparent-time methods to achieve a more comprehensive understanding of language variation and change.