Linguistic Variation
Social distinctions influence both the
production of speech and its
evaluation by community members
Speech Communities
• Styles of speaking
• Variations of standards
• Different use of lexicon, grammar
• Acceptable for a particular community
Differences:
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Gender
Age
Class: social stratification
Race
Ethnicity
Etc.
Social stratification: is the
hierarchical structuring of groups
within a society based on
inequality among the population
Two linguistic concepts
• Class: large scale social and political
structures based on conflict and division
• Linguistic Network: interpersonal level of
of social organization. Held together by
consensus
Chronique Urbaine (Urban
Chronicle)
• By Yanick Letourneau
• Hip hop artist (Urban Franco Hip Hop)
• Artist: Kamenga Mbikay (Pressureless)
Themes to consider
Race and language
Ethnicity and language
Class and language
Language and power
Bilingualism
Discussion Questions
• Can Urban Franco Hip Hop music be
considered part of a linguistic
network? Is this type of music, in the
context of Montreal, articulated in
terms of race, ethnicity or age?
Why do you think our
protagonists were having a hard
time marketing their music in
Quebec? Was race, ethnicity or
age a factor?
Do you think that hip-hop music
can be considered a marker of
personal or group identity? Why?
How?
Are power relations evident in
the story? How is power related
to language?