L23B: Sociolinguistics
2005-2006
Please Turn off all cellular phones & pagers
L23B Website:
www.mona.uwi.edu/dllp/courses/l23b
6/30/2016
1
Course Assessment
6/30/2016
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Incourse Test (40% of total
grade)
TEST DATE: MONDAY, APRIL
3, 2006 (2-4pm)
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Final Exam
(60% of total grade)
2
Topics for this Session
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Review: Linguistic
Variables
Extra-linguistic Variables
Data Collection & Analysis
3
Labov distinguishes Linguistic
Variable as:
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Indicators - little or no social
significance attached
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Markers/Socially diagnostic
variables – carries social
significance.
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Stereotypes – popular and
conscious characterization of the
speech of a particular group.
4
Causes of Variation
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Extra linguistic variables
3 main types:
Speaker variables
Group Variables
Situation Variables
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Speaker variables
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Characteristics of the individual, such as:
Age
Gender
Ethnic origin
Social background
Regional origin
Level of education
Occupation
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Group variables
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Factors that are external to the
speaker:
Prestige
Stigma
Correctness
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Situation variables
(DIATYPIC VARIATION)
 Context
 Environment
 Formality
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Dyatypic Variation
Eg. A Politician
The linguistic variation might be seen
in:
 the manner of address
 the use of colloquialisms, jargons
 the selection of topic and examples
 the level of detail presented
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Social Groups
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Primary assignment based on:
social class membership, sex, age,
ethnicity, etc.
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Secondary assignment:
– church membership
- leisure-time activities
- community involvement
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Can you quantify…
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Sex?
Age?
Race?
Ethnicity?
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Social Class
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How do you determine
someone’s class ranking?
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How precise can you get?
Upper Working Class
Lower Middle Class
Middle Middle Class
Upper Middle Class
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Social class cont’d
Problems determining class:
(a) Classifying someone based on
statistics
(b) The designations used- eg.
MMC?
(c) Are criteria applicable to all in the
society?
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Social Class cont’d
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How do you determine
the social class
ranking of children?
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Variation Studies - Micro
Process – identify:
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linguistic variables
social variables
relationship between (1) & (2)
data collection method
sample to be used
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Data Collection
Problem: Observer’s Paradox
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investigation method may
affect outcome.
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injecting personal bias.
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Types of collection method:
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Self–reported method:
Questionnaires or Interviews
(structured or open-ended)
Audio/Visual recording
Overt or covert Observation
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