L23B: Sociolinguistics 2005-2006 Please Turn off all cellular phones & pagers L23B Website: www.mona.uwi.edu/dllp/courses/l23b 2/23/2019

Course Assessment Incourse Test (40% of total grade) TEST DATE: MONDAY, APRIL 3, 2006 (2-4pm) Final Exam (60% of total grade) 2/23/2019

Topics for this Session Review: Linguistic Variables Extra-linguistic Variables Data Collection & Analysis 2/23/2019

Labov distinguishes Linguistic Variable as: Indicators - little or no social significance attached Markers/Socially diagnostic variables – carries social significance.             Stereotypes – popular and conscious characterization of the speech of a particular group. 2/23/2019

Causes of Variation Extra linguistic variables 3 main types: Speaker variables Group Variables Situation Variables 2/23/2019

Speaker variables Characteristics of the individual, such as: Age Gender Ethnic origin Social background Regional origin Level of education Occupation 2/23/2019

Group variables Factors that are external to the speaker: Prestige Stigma Correctness 2/23/2019

Situation variables (DIATYPIC VARIATION) Context Environment Formality 2/23/2019

Dyatypic Variation Eg. A Politician The linguistic variation might be seen in: the manner of address the use of colloquialisms, jargons the selection of topic and examples the level of detail presented      2/23/2019

Social Groups Primary assignment based on: social class membership, sex, age, ethnicity, etc. Secondary assignment: – church membership - leisure-time activities - community involvement 2/23/2019

Can you quantify… Sex? Age? Race? Ethnicity? 2/23/2019

Social Class How do you determine someone’s class ranking? How precise can you get? Upper Working Class Lower Middle Class Middle Middle Class Upper Middle Class 2/23/2019

Social class cont’d Problems determining class: (a) Classifying someone based on statistics (b) The designations used- eg. MMC? (c) Are criteria applicable to all in the society? 2/23/2019

Social Class cont’d How do you determine the social class ranking of children? 2/23/2019

Variation Studies - Micro Process – identify: linguistic variables social variables relationship between (1) & (2) data collection method sample to be used 2/23/2019

Data Collection Problem: Observer’s Paradox investigation method may affect outcome. injecting personal bias. 2/23/2019

Types of collection method: Self–reported method: Questionnaires or Interviews (structured or open-ended) Audio/Visual recording Overt or covert Observation 2/23/2019