Introduction to Applied Linguistics

Lesson 3
1. SOCIOLINGUISTICS
2. LANGUAGE VARIATIONS (continuation):
- dialect, Pidgin/Creole
- slang,
- jargon,
- accent,
3.Appliations of SOCIOLINGUISTICS

Mgs. Nina Nesterenko

nnesterenko@utpl.edu.ec
 Branch of Linguistics which deals with the
study of language use in society and in
sociocultural context. In addition, it is the
study of the linguistic indicators of culture and
power (Schmitt, 2011).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eYIyMCoIAZY Video: Sociolingustics and language variations

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uEabSWeO02E Sociolinguistics and Dialects

SOCIOLINGUISTICS is the study of how language
and social factors are related ( 1960´s)
 It studies
LANGUAGE
Language CHANGE and It describes
variations explains WHY language varieties
(dialects, languages change between different
accents) ethnic, religious,
status and gender
groups

Socio-
linguistics It categorizes
It explains how
individuals in
educational level, age,
social or socio-
etc., may influence the
language differences economic classes
Language Variation
 linguistic variation, or linguistic
variability
VARIETY of a language is a “ SET
OF LINGUISTIC ITEMS WITH
SIMILAR DISTRIBUTION”

Linguistic variation is central

to the study of language use.
In fact it is impossible to study
the language forms used in
natural texts without being
confronted with the issue of
linguistic variability.
People differ in the manner in
which they speak their native
tongue.

Language variation is when a language

has multiple ways of expressing the same
meaning. It is a natural occurrence due to
cultural and language differences

Language variation refers to the

differences that exist in a particular
language. ( dialectic and regional
differences .
 Language variations
It is demonstrated by
linguistic differences in:

- sound(phonetics) and structure

(grammar)

- vocabulary

- the speech of men and women

- social classes

- age groups
 Language variations
• People will identify some • Some of these
of these features as differences may
marking the "best" or
impede intelligibility
most "beautiful" form of
the language, other and intergroup
features will be communication
considered nonstandard
or undesirable.
 LANGUAGE VARIATION
Slang Dialects

Jargon Standard vs
/Argot Non- standard
language

Accent
Code
switching
Pidgin
/Creole Register
Language Variation : DIALECT Mutually intelligeble
Dialect— "lect" within the term- derives from the Greek for the speakers of
words dia meaning "across, between" and legein "speak."
the same language
A form of a language that people speak in
a particular part of a country, or countries SOCIAL (socialect)
containing some different words and use
of grammar Social variaty of l.:
different social
REGIONAL conditions of the
( geographic ) speakers:
- CLASS
- RELIGION
- ETHNICITY
- EDUCATION
- AGE
- GENDER
 Dialects are based on
STANDARD
Language variation

STANDARD STANDARD AMERICAN STANDARD

BRITISH / NORTHAMERICAN AUSTRALIAN/
Australasian

Standard
Standard
BRITISH STANDARD
INDIAN
ISLES NEW ZELAND
Dialect can be defined as STANDARD language, or PRESTIGE DIALECT used in business, education, and media.

Dialects can be described at different levels

according to variations. These can be subdivided in

• Phonological - differences in pronunciation

ex: in Spanish llave (llave) – llave (shave)
• Morphological - word structure ( ex: night- nite )
• Syntactic - grammar differences; it can be represented by
different word order in sentences and may
depend on social status of speakers, age , gender)
(ex: You like coffee? My sister she work here)
• Semantic - differences in meaning(ex. football - soccer ; can- tin)
Discourse - differences in how conversation works
Video: Sociolinguistics and Dialects
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uEabSWeO02E
 IN CLASS: BrE or AmE ?
Soccer Football
Sidewalk Pavement
Gas Petrol
Jersey Sweater
Diaper Nappy
Elevator Lift
Can Tin
Lagguage Baggage
Eraser Rubber
Truck Lorry
 Language variations: PIDGIN and CREOLE
PIDGIN CREOLE

It is a simplified language that Simplified (pidgin) language

develops as a means of turns into active means of
communication between two or communication of speakers
more groups that do not have a who adopt it as their native
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qqJI7SdS9Gg
language in common. language

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qqJI7SdS9Gg Pidgin and

Creole l( video)
 PIDGINE and CREOLE languages
Simplified
No native Native
phonology
speakers speakers

PIDGIN
Reduced and Few
vocabulary CREOLE prepositions
range

Few
inflexional
morphemes
 It is a pattern or manner of
Accent pronunciation

Geographical a. Regional It can

accent indicate the
socio –
economic
status of its
speakers,
their
ethnicity or
Received social class
Pronunciation
 Accent
Received Pronunciation (RP) – refers to prestige or standard accent of
BrE
It is also known as The Queen` English, Public School Pronunciation,
BBC English, or Oxford English

• This accent is the model followed for pronunciation in the major

dictionaries and in the teaching of EFL in many parts of the world.
• Note: only 9 – 12 % of British population speaks it. But it is spoken in
Australia, New Zealand and South Africa
 ACCENT
• Accent can also allow to determine the speaker’s first language
( when the language in which the accent is heard is not his/her
native language). A person´ s accent can provide a strong clue
to his or her native (first ) language., since most speakers will
produce the same kind of pronunciation deviations.

VIDEO ( 21 accents) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3UgpfSp2t6k

 Accent
• Accents typically differ in quality of voice, pronunciation
of vowels and consonants, and stress pitch
Example:
the speech of people from Ecuadorian Coast and Sierra
regions

Non Standard language does not refer to ACCENT

“

A dialect is variation in grammar and vocabulary in addition to sound

variations.
Ex: if one person says 'John is a farmer' and another says the same thing
except pronounces the word farmer as 'fahmuh,' then the difference is one
of accent ( pronunciation).
But if one person says something like 'You should not do that' and another
says 'Ya hadn't oughta do that,' then this is a dialect difference because the
variation is greater. The extent of dialect differences is a continuum. Some
dialects are extremely different and others less so."
(Donald G. Ellis, From Language to Communication. Routledge, 1999)
 Accent vs Dialect

It refers to a broaderset of
LINGUISTICS DIFFRENCES, It refers to differences
such as GRAMMAR and IN PRONUNCIATION
VOCABULARY
 Dialect vs Accent
Dialect
-It is usually regional variation of language;
-it refers to standard form of a language
( including grammar, pronunciation, lexicon)
used by a group of speakers.
- If two speakers differ in grammar,
pronunciation and vocabulary, it can be
concluded that they speak different dialect.
Dialect is a product of the individual’s
geographical and class origin.
Remember that educational experience is also
- It typically differs in quality of voice,
significant.
Accent
- it
is a pattern or manner of
pronunciation, but NOT in grammar and
vocabulary
- It may identify the locality in which its
speakers reside. ( a geographical or regional
accent.)
- It can indicate the socio- economic status of
its speakers, or social class.
- It allows to determine the speaker’s 1st
language ( most speakers produce the same
kind of pronunciation deviations.)
pronunciation of vowels/consonants, stress
pitch( ( intonation in Spanish and English
questions!
 Jargon is "the technical terminology or
characteristic idiom of a special activity
occupational or social group.“
A standard term may be given a more precise or unique
usage among practitioners of a field. In many cases this
causes a barrier to communication with those not
familiar with the language of the field.

the term covers the language used by people who

work in a particular area or who have a common
interest.
Jargon is used to express ideas that are frequently
discussed between members of a group. Example:bit,
byte , are jargon terms relate to computing.
JARGON The Word JARGON
comes from Old French
jargoun, and dates back
to the mid 17th century.

JARGON-
Special words or
expressions used by a
profession or group that are
difficult for others to
understand, it may not be
well understood outside the
context.
Ex:
military, medical, legal,
computer, scientific, etc.-
YOUR IDEA?
JARGON
 Examples of EDUCATIONAL JARGON
• Warm Up Student´s progress Self/peer assessment
• B1 A1 Multiple Intelligences
• Flipped Learning ( GP )
• Term Test
• Mid Term
• Flash test
• Summative/ Formative Assessment
• TOEFL
 Jargon is used with these purposes

Provide speakers of Provide speakers of a

specialized domains with subgroup with a means
clear, well-defined, of marking in-group
unambiguous terms to membership and exclude
refer to their activities outsiders
 LANGUAGE VARIATION : SLANG
A type of language Words and expressions that are
consisting of very informal not considered standard in the
words and phrases . speaker's dialect or language

It is more common in
It is typically speech than in writing .
restricted to a
particular
context or
group of people.
 Language variation : SLANG
Slang is often found in areas of the lexicon that
refer to things considered taboo or euphemisms “
( The substitution of an inoffensive terms such as
"passed away" for "died”) .

Hey, what’s up? Give a ring – to call

Cool! Screw up — to make a mistake
Awsome! Crash – to fall asleep; to show
A buck- dollar up without invitation
Feeling blue- depression Shoot the breeze- kill the time
Creep – an unpleasantly weird person Telly- TV
Couch potato – lazy person Lost the plot – have no idea what is going on
 JARGON
refers to the technical
vocabulary of a
particular profession,
group or trade.
“unintelligible writing or
talk.”
vs SLANG
a variety of language used by a restricted part
of population, usually young people,
teenagers, or less respectable groups
It is not long-lasting. Many slang words
that were very fashionable in one period of
time, are not used anymore.

“ Specific dialects An informal vocabulary composed of

resulting from a mixture invented words, arbitrarily changed
of several languages.” words, or extravagant figures of
speech.”
It establishes in-
group membership. It usually contains very informal
language used in speech.
 ARGOT from French in the
mid-1800s

- the language used by a particular type or

group of people ; a kind of secret
vocabulary peculiar to a particular group
particular class or group of people,
especially that of an underworld group,
devised for private communication and
identification

It is used for specialized (and often obscure

or pretentious) vocabulary

Ex: Criminal argot; pool or card players

Applications of Sociolinguistics
1. The knowledge about variations in language
can be used in teacher-training courses.

teachers who are aware of non-

standard variations of language ( in
grammar, phonology, lexicon ), can
include prestigious standard form in
their teaching courses and
encourage students to learn and
recognize this diversity.
2.Dialect is not an important type of language variation
for teaching. Although, teachers must know the fact
that there is dialect variation in the target language just
as there is in their native language.
All language teaching implies the best dialect
( standard) to teach.
3. The knowledge of accents can be
useful tool . (Ex. in criminalistics: some
criminals have been caught due to their
accent origins).

4. Sociolinguistics may
help understand the
development and
changes of languages
 Language Variations and Teaching
The study of language
variation guides language
When developing a writing
development activities.
system it should be
considered the largest
It is important to identify number of speakers of the
the most unifying language.
features of the language

There must be a Standard:

sound systems ( Received
pronunciation) , and
grammatical structures and
lexis – to understand literature.
 HOMEWORK
Research on these topics and BRING IDEAS TO CLASS for a group work
1. TYPES OF LANGUAGE VARIATIONS:
• - linguistics
• - socilolinguistic
• - dialectal
• geographic and regional (give examples for each type)
2. DIALECTAL DIFFRENCES ( BritishEnglish/ AmE/ Australian, etc.) –
examples ( phonological syntactic, morphologic, etc.)
3. REASONS FOR DIALECTAL DIFFERENCES (Why dialects appeared)
4. DIFFERENCES between SLANG, JARGON,ARGOT, ACCENT- examples of each
language variation
5. PIDGIN vs CREOLE languages (examples)
6. APPLICATIONS OF SOCIOLINGUISTICS
7. RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN SOCIOLINGUISTICS AND EDUCATION
 Web Links
https://caxton1485.wordpress.com/archive/2010-2/descriptive-and-prescriptive-approaches-to-
language/ (article)
• http://www.polysyllabic.com/?q=navigating/intro/prescriptive (article)
• http://www.uncp.edu/home/canada/work/allam/1914-/language/jargon.htm
• http://www.buzzle.com/articles/jargon-examples.html
• http://fos.iloveindia.com/jargon-examples.html (examples of jargon words)
• http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080206230426AAgZTJ5
• http://www.sil.org/language-assessment/language-variation
( article)
• http://jottify.com/works/standard-and-non-standard-variants-of-the-english-language/
• http://www.manythings.org/slang/slang3.html (Am. slang words)
• http://grammar.about.com/od/d/g/dialectterm.htm
• http://www.ehow.com/how_2222943_understand-difference-between-accents-dialects.html
• http://www.doceo.co.uk/background/language_codes.htm#ixzz1a1Jr8d8x
• http://www.doceo.co.uk/background/language_codes.htm
• http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1525/aa.1964.66.suppl_3.02a00030/pdf
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qqJI7SdS9Gg (Pidgin and creole)
VIDEOS
Web Links
(standard vs non standard language, dialects, accents )
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gO7cjyEYtGM&list=PLC953qqHi4azlkcIqiXLvWmGJmeixu7Sf
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pA5DuX1MQSM (sociolinguistics and language variations)
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ugf_yCelFE4
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8vI2-6fxfY
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukYRvOQw_B4
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hGg-2MQVReQ
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3UgpfSp2t6k
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4NriDTxseog
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3pQnFOIixl0 ( Received pronunciation)
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B7F5L1fF-ac
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukYRvOQw_B4
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0opkSG0mfBQ (restricted vs elaborated code)
• Video (Sociology, Berstein´s….)
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0opkSG0mfBQ
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VVrxiWTg-4Q (Basil Bernstein)
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hGg-2MQVReQ (David Crystal, standard –non standard
language)
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3UgpfSp2t6k ( 21 accents, Amy Walker)
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qXGuCaApR7U&list=PLYgTez2G0B1rWhKL_UQjGUF1RJ
7UMcQ-O (Weird words, dialects, non standard language)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukYRvOQw_B4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eFlBwBwL_iU( Video: Prescriptive vs Descriptive
grammar )
• VIDEO (English Registers - What Your Words Say About You )
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e0ltF8zpEcw
To be continued……