1. L23B: Sociolinguistics 2005-2006
Lecturer: Emmogene Budhai-Alvaranga
Please Turn off all cellular phones & pagers
L23B Website:
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2. Objectives of the Session
Review some important concepts
Overview of Communication
Readings: Downes & Hymes
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3. What is sociolinguistics?
As defined by C&J (1997)
‘the study of language in its social context and the study of social life through linguistics’
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4. Sociolinguistics: Is it relevant?
(Downes)
language includes not just grammar but also social process
features of language linked to social aspects
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5. Arbitrariness: is a social phenomenon
label/lexical items/expressions dependent on our philosophies/culture
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6. Variability: requires social explanation
For example: (taken from Downes)
‘butter’ - meaning (edible, yellow, diary product)
- syntactic use: noun ‘a’ ‘the’ sub/obj
But different phonetic realizations
RP [b]
Canadian/American ‘budder’ [bdr]
British English/Cockney [br]
(working class)
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7. Sociolinguistics Allows us to:
Combine theoretical discoveries with social investigations
Concentrate on performance
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8. Relevance of Sociolinguistics (Hymes)
linguistic theory as a wholistic theory of language entailing the organization of speech and not just grammar.
Speech communities as organizations of ways of speaking not just the distribution of the grammar of a language
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9. Downes (Film 1961) Doreen: She got married yesterday. She
looked ever so nice
Arthur: What was the bloke like, could y’er
smell the drink? He must have
been drunk to get married.
What did she want to convey?
  make a statement
request for action
suggestion
broach the topic
   
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10. Analyzing Conversation
Points to consider…
1. Context
2. Several Interpretations possible
3.  Intentions may be incorrect
  4. Speaker can deny
5.  Vague
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11. Interaction: student to teacher at end of term
Will you be teaching another course in this programme?
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12. Politeness Salt! Pass the Salt!
Would you mind passing the salt please?
I think this food could use a little salt.
This meal is marvelous! Just a pinch
of salt and it would be perfect.
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13. Components of Communication
Linguistic Knowledge
Interaction Skills
Cultural Knowledge
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14. Linguistic Knowledge verbal elements non-verbal elements
patterning of elements
range of possible variants
meaning of variants
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15. Interaction Skills selection of forms interpretation of forms
discourse organization and processes
norms of interaction and interpretation
strategies for achieving goals  
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16. Cultural Knowledge
social structure
values and attitudes
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17. Communicative Competence
“underlying systems of knowledge and skill required for communication”
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18. Factors Influencing Selection of Variety/Code:
Speaker/Receiver
Competence
Situation
Topic  
Channel  
Tone
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19. Questions ????
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