Notes on Sociolinguistics Lecture

Introduction to Sociolinguistics

• Sociolinguistics: Study of the relationship between language and society.
• Topics covered:
  • Differentiating between languages and dialects.
  • Dialect continuum.
  • Isoglosses and dialect boundaries.
  • Notion of an accent.
  • Slang.

Definition and Distinction

• Languages vs. Dialects:
  • Estimated 5,000 to 7,000 languages (including spoken and signed).
  • Distinction between languages and dialects can be unclear.
  • A single language can have multiple dialects with varying prestige.
• Descriptive vs. Prescriptive Approach:
  • No language or dialect is inherently better.
  • Social perceptions affect prestige of dialects.
  • Example: Received Pronunciation (higher prestige) vs. Southern American English (lower prestige).

Mutual Intelligibility

• Dialects: Generally mutually intelligible.
• Languages: Generally mutually unintelligible.
• Example:
  • Western American English and Southern American English are mutually intelligible.
  • Scottish English is not mutually intelligible with Western American English.

Dialect Continuum

• Concept of a Dialect Continuum:
  • A situation where contiguous dialects are mutually intelligible, but extremes are not.

Accent

• Accent: Neutral term, everyone has one based on:
  • Region (where you are from).
  • Social factors (age, gender, socioeconomic status).
• Negative connotation associated with having an accent is culturally driven.

Study by William Labov

• R-lessness Study:
  • Focus on the presence/absence of 'R' sound in New York department stores.
  • Higher prestige store (Saks Fifth Avenue) showed more use of 'R' compared to lower prestige store (S.Kline).
  • Supports the idea that speech varies by social status as well as geography.

Isoglosses and Dialect Boundaries

• Isogloss: Boundary separating different linguistic forms.
  • Often corresponds with geographic boundaries (mountains, rivers).
• Dialect Boundary: A bundle of isoglosses indicating where one dialect stops and another begins.
  • Example: Differences in word usage across geographic areas (e.g., use of "y'all" vs. "you all").

Slang

• Slang: Informal language used by younger speakers to reinforce group membership.
  • Language constantly evolves; slang terms shift from generation to generation.
  • Older speakers may resist these changes.
  • Example of fading slang: "tubular," "groovy" vs. current slang like "lit," "on fleek."
• Encourage audience to share examples of slang they use.

Conclusion

• Importance of understanding sociolinguistics.
• Invite comments and examples of slang usage.