SOCIOLINGUISTIC

SOCIOLINGUISTICS
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).

Sociolinguistics:
Studies language
languages
variations (dialects,
accents)

explains WHY
studies
language change

change

It describes language varieties between different ethic,

religious, status, and gender groups; and explains how
educational level, age, etc., may influence the language
differences, and categorizes individuals in social or
socioeconomic classes.

Language variations

Variety of a language is a set of

linguistic items with similar
distribution (Hudson, 1980,p.24)

Standard language
language

Non standard

Standard Language
It refers to mode of usage of most
educated speakers of a language and
established as the prestigious form of
that language.
This term is also used for that variety
of a language which is considered to
be the norm.

Non Standard Language

The term non standard was originally
used by linguists to refer to language
varieties that had previously been
labeled with terms such as vulgar.
Non standard English differs from
standard English at the level of
grammar (it does not follow the
grammar or pronunciation rules of
standard language)

DIALECT AND ACCENT

Dialect can be defined as STANDARD language, or
PRESTIGE DIALECT used in business, education, and
media.
Dialect can be described at different levels according
to variations.
Phonological ( differences in pronunciation, ex: in
Spanish llave (llave) llave (shave)
Morphological (word structure)
Syntactic (it can be represented by different word
order in sentences)
Semantic (differences in meaning, ex: football
soccer)
Grammatical ( differences in grammar structures may
depend on social statues of speakers, age, gender)

Accent

It is a pattern or manner of
pronunciation
An accent may identify the locality in which
its speakers reside. (geographical or
regional accent)
It can indicate the socio-economic status of
its speakers, their ethnicity or social class.
Accent can also allow to determine the
speakers native language.
Accents typically differ in quality of voice,
pronunciation of vowels and consonants,
and stress pitch.

DIALECT
ACCENT

It refers to the
differences
broader set of
pronunciation
linguistic
differences

It refers to
in

SLANG AND JARGON

Jargon is defined in relationship to a
specific activity, profession, group, or
event.
Jargon: the language used by
people who work in a particular area
or who have common interest.
Jargon can be technical language,
for instance, the language used in a
given profession ( medical jargon,
nautical jargon, etc.)

Jargon is used with these

purpose
Provides speakers
of a
of specialized domains
means
with clear, well-defined,
group
unambiguous terms to
refer to their activities.

Provides speakers
subgroup with a
of marking in
membership and
Exclude outsiders

SLANG
It refers to the use of
informal words and
expressions that are
not considered standard
in the speakers dialect
or language.

It may refer to things

considered taboo or
Euphemisms (The substitution of an

inoffensive
terms such as passed
away for died)

JARGON

vs.

Refers to the technical

language used by
vocabulary of a particular
of population,
profession group, or trade
people, or
unintelligible writing or talk
not long-

SLANG
a variety of
a restricted part
usually young
teenagers
its vocabulary is
lasting (not in

fashion anymore)
specific dialects resulting
means rude or

slang usually