Scope of Sociolinguistics - Psau · PDF fileThe Scope of Sociolinguistics? Sociolinguists study: 1. The relationship between language and society. 2. Why People speak differently in

Scope of Sociolinguistics

What do sociolinguists Study

The Scope of

Sociolinguistics?

Sociolinguists study:

1. The relationship between language and society.

2. Why People speak differently in different social contexts.

3. The social functions and methods of using language.

27/06/36Abdulaziz Assanosi

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Example

A: Why are you slowing down?

B: That bastard asked us to stop. I think he’s gonna give us a ticket.

A: He has arrived already.

C: hello

A: Hello sir, What can I do for you?

ON TELEPHONE:

I am sorry sir, traffic patrols stopped us and I think I will be a little late


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The way people talk is influenced by the social

context in which they are talking.

Social context includes:

Who can hear us.

Where we are talking.

How we are feeling.

C

The rest of the conversation:


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C: Can I see your license and registration please.

A: Sure sir. Here you are. What is the problem sir?

C: You ran the red light, don’t you know.

A: I am not sure. I don’t think so.

C: You did, I am sure.


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People are normally aware of the social factors that make them choose the suitable language.

Sociolinguists study the social context and its influence on language.


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That bastard rubbish

stopped usThis sentence suggest the

following:

The feeling of the speaker.

His relationship with the

participants.

The information (the situation).


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Social Identity

Our language indicate our social identity as follows, It

tells others about:

Where we come from.

Who we are.

What social/cultural experience we have.

Language provides a variety of ways of saying the

same things.


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Example

In one day, Margaret Walker was called the following:

At office : her partner: (good bye Margaret)

Secretary: see you tomorrow.

Caretaker: Bye, Mrs. Walker

Her daughter: Hi, Mum

Her mother: Hello dear, Have a good day?

Her husband: You are late again.

Customer service agent: Good evening, Mrs. Walker.

Her best friend : Hello Meg, Sut wyt ti?


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Checkpoint

What do sociolinguists study?

What does the social context include?

how can our language indicate our social identity?

What are the components of social identity?

Give example of different way of saying the same

thing.


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Different Ways of Saying

Things

( شحالك -مرحبا بِيك –هال –ازيك –شلونك –كيفك –مرحبا-(كيف داير-الباس عليك

( بسالمة–وداعا –في امان هللا –يلال –باي –مع السالمة)

Differences in saying the same thing occur at many

levels:

At vocabulary level: (bastard – rubbish, sir – traffic

patrols)


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Things

On phonology level”

Sam drops the (letter H). This is the language of coal-

miners.


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Things On grammar and vocabulary level:

Refuse should be deposited in the receptacles provided. (Directive, Passive,

Formal)

Put your rubbish in the bin, Jilly. (Directive, Active, Informal)

Please tender exact fare and state destination.

Give me the right money and tell me where you are going.


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Things Sometimes the difference is in all levels.

In this case the difference is considered as two different dialects:

Examples:

Norwegian has two dialects (Ranamal and bokmal)

Ranamal is used for social interaction and bokmal for politics, academia, and with

strangers.

Standard Arabic and Regional Arabic (Gulf, Moroccan, Nile countries Arabic)


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Things The term variety or code refers to different language used in different

situation.

DEFINITION: Variety or Code is

Any set of linguistic forms

which patterns according

to social factors.


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Social Factors Influencing

Code Choice

The reason for choosing certain dialect is one (or all) of the following:The participants.

The social settings.

The topic.

The purpose of the interaction


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Checkpoint

What are the levels of difference in saying the same

thing?

Give example of difference in vocabulary level in

saying the same thing.

What happens if the difference occur in all the levels

of the language?

What is Variety or Code?

What are the social factors influence variety choice?


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Social Dimensions

Beside the social factors

mentioned before, we have social

dimensions which also affect

variety choice as well.

These dimensions are:

Social distance Scale.

Status Scale.

Formality Scale27/06/36Abdulaziz Assanosi

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Social distance Scale.

Intimate

High solidarity

Distant

Low Solidarity

Intimate use (names,

local dialect, simple

language) e.g. Meg.

rubbish)

Distant use (title,

standard dialect, High

language e.g. Mr.

Walker, sir, Excuse me)


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Status Scale

Superior

High Status

Subordinate

Low Status

Superior use high

language, no dropping,

standard dialect

(English in Arabic

Discourse)

Subordinate use simple

language (title, polite,

dropping, common

language)


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Formality Scale

Formal

High Formality

Informal

Low Formality

This scale relate to

setting not to

participants.

In formal setting we use

formal language

language: (in college,

mosque, bank,

meetings,)

IN informal setting we

use informal language

(home , chat with

friends)


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Checkpoint

What are the three scales that form the social dimension.

What is difference between superior and subordinate language.

Explain the formality scale.

Give an example of formality scale in Arabic.


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Blackboard Activity

Make a list of all names YOU are called by when you are greeted by people who know you ( SEE PAGE 9)

Include:

Your family members

Your friends

Your classmate

Your teachers

While shopping

In social gathering

In the bank

Etc.

Upload your work in blackboard (Click on Assignments) Link


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Thank YOU

End of Lecture 1.


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Documents

Scope of Sociolinguistics - Psau · PDF fileThe Scope of Sociolinguistics? Sociolinguists study: 1. The relationship between language and society. 2. Why People speak differently in