Sociolinguistics sociolinguists study the relationship between language and society. They are interested in explaining why we speak differently in different social contexts. They are also concerned with social functions of languge and the way it is used to convey social meaning

Example 1 Ray: Hi mum. Mum: Hi you’re late. Ray: Yeah, the bastard Sootbucket kept us in again Mum: Nana’s here. Ray: oh sorry. Where is she? Example 2 Ray: Good afternoon, sir. Principal: what are you doing here at this time? Ray: Mr Sutton kept us in, sir.

The way people talk is influenced by the social context in which they are talking. It matters who can hear us and where we are talking, as well as how we are feeling.

Sociolinguistics is concerned with the relationship between language and the context in which it is used

Why do we say the same thing in different ways Language provides a variety of ways of saying the same thing – addressing and greeting others, describing things, paying complements.

Example 3 We often have different names of people when we are addressing them directly, as opposed to when we are referring to them in different contexts.

What are different ways we say things? Sociolinguists are also interested in the different types of linguistic variation used to express and reflect social factors. Vocabulary or word choice pronunciation Word-structure (morphology) Grammar (syntax)

Example 4 (a) refuse should be deposited in the respectable provided (b) put your rubish in the bin (c) please tender exact fare and state destination. (d) give me the right money and tell me where you’re going

Variety of language A variety is a set of linguistic forms used under specific social circumstnces Different accent Different linguistic styles Different dialects Different languages

Language varies according to: Its user as well as its users Where it is used (social context) To whom it is used (the addressees) Who is using it (the addresser) Why we use it

examples (a) Excuse me could I have a look at your photos too. (b) C’mon Jack, gizzalook, gizzalook. The better you know someone, the more causal and relaxed the speech style you will use to them. People use more standard form to those they don’t know well, and more vernacular forms to their friends. The speaker’s relationship to the addresses is crucial in determining the appropriate style of speaking.

People generally talk differently to children and to adults though some adjust their speech style or “accommodate” more than others.

Characteristics of speech used by native speakers to foreigners High frequency vocabulary Fewer contractions Use of nouns rather than pronouns. So, referents are clear. Shorter sentences with simple grammar. Use of tag questions.

Accommodation Theory Speech Convergence When people talk to each other, their speech often becomes more similar. When speakers like one another. When one speaker has an interest in pleasing the other Putting them at ease. Bargaining

Speech Divergence Deliberately choosing a language not used by one’s addressee. Accent divergence Working class to doctors Overconvergent behavior

What factors influence the use of variety of language? 1.Social factors (a)The participants (who is speaking and whom are they speaking to?) (b)Setting (social context) (where are they speaking?) (c)Topic (what is being talked about?) (d)Function (why are they talking?

2. Social dimensions (a) social distance Intimate Distant High solidarity Low solidarity (b) Status Superior Subordinate High status Low status (c) Formality High formality Low formaility Formal Informal

(d) Function(goal of the interaction) Referential High information content Low information content Affective High Affective content Low Affective content

Diaglossia Two distinct varieties of the same language are used in the community, with one regarded as a high (H) variety and the other is low (L) variety Each variety is used for quite distinct functions No one used the H variety in everyday conversation Classical Arabic (H) Regional colloqual varieties (L ) Religion (sermon, prayers) Literature (novel, non-fiction) Newspaper (editorial) Broadcasting (TV news) Education (written material, lectures) Education (lesson discussion) Shopping Gossiping

Code-switching or code-mixing When there is some obvious change in the situation, such as arrival of a new person Showing membership Showing ethnicity Status relations (situational code switching) (Metaphorical code Switching)

Linguistic varieties (a) Vernacular language A language which has not been standardized and which does not have offical status. The vernacular is the variety used in communication in the home and with close friendes. It is the language of solidarity between people from the same ethnic group. The style in which the minimum of attention is given to the monitoring of speech

(b) Standard language One which is written and which undergone some degree of regularization or codification Standard language is always a particular dialect which has gianed its special position as a result of social, economic, and political influences.

(c) Lingua Franca A language used for communication between people whose first languages differe. In some countries the most useful and widely used lingua franca is an official language or the national language

Pidgin Bipo tru igat wanpela liklik meri nau nem bilong em liklik Retpela Hat. Em I save slip wantaim Mama na Papa bilong em long wanpela liklik haus. Papa I save work long bus, I save katim paiawut na ol man save baim long em. Orait I gat lapun meri I stap long narapele haus. Dispela lapum emi tumbuna Mama. A long time ago, there was a little girl named Little Red Riding Hood. She lived with her mother and father in a little house. Father worked in the bush, cutting trees for firewood, which he sold to people. Now there was a very old lady who lived in another house. This old lady was little Red Riding hood’s grandmother.

Why do pidgin develop? A pidgin is a language which has no native speaker. Pidgin develop as a means of communication between people who do not have a common language. On slave plantations in the 19 th century, people were deliberately separated from others who used the same tribal language so as to reduce the risk of their plotting to escape or rebel. In order to communicate with each other, as well as their overseers, they developed pidgins based on the language of the plantation bosses as well as their own languages. Pidgins develop with a narrow range of functions such as trade. It is used for referential rather than affective functions. Pidgin has a simplified structure and a small vocabulary compared to fully developed languages No one uses a pidgin as a means of group identification, or to express social distance.

Pidgin languages are created from the combined efforts of people who speak different languages. Both sides generally contribute to the sounds, the vocabulary, and the grammatical features, and some additional features may emerge which are unique to the new variety. The prestige language tends to supply more of the vocabulary, while vernacular languages have more influence on the grammar of the developing pidgin.

So It is used in restricted domains and functions It has a simplified structure compared to the source languages It generally has low prestige and attracts negative attitudes, especially from outsiders. Pidgins often have a short life. If they develop for a restricted function, they disappear when that function disappears.

Creole A creole is a pidgin which has acquired native speakers. It has expanded in structure and vocabulary to express the range of meanings and serve the range of functions required of a first language. Once a creole has developed it can be used for all the functions of any language- politics, education, administration, literature, and so on.

(e) Dialect Variety of language used by people. People often use a language to signal their membership of particular group, social status, sex, age, and ethnicity