LINGUISTICS 571
Schiffrin.
SOCIOLINGUISTIC FIELD METHODS
COURSE OVERVIEW
Sociolinguistic Field Methods will provide you with hands-on experience with methods
for collecting samples of language in its social context. Methods of, and approaches to,
data include:
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ethnography (participant observation, both unstructured and structured)
interactional sociolinguistics ((un)structured observations, audio/video recording)
structured questionnaires (discourse completion tests, subjective reaction tests)
variationist studies of language in the city (finding a field site, interviewing, rapid
anonymous surveys; identifying variables; coding and preliminary quantitative
analysis; finding and transcribing at least one narrative; community involvement)
We will analyze short problems concerning a range of topics such as speech acts, speech
events, turn-taking, phonological (and other) variation, public/private discourse that can
be addressed through the data. General topics related to all of the methods, data and
problems include recording issues (including recording human subjects); objectivity/
subjectivity; transcribing and organizing data; suitability to purpose and analysis;
personal and community involvement, personal comfort with different methods.
We begin with various sites of data collection; we will also work with an already existing
video to analyze talk-in-interaction. Much of your fieldwork, however, will take place in
local DC area communities and neighborhoods. To this end, we will work as a class and
as individuals to identity 2- 3 local communities of interest for sociolinguistic study. We
will then divide into 2- 3 groups, and each group will work on one of the communities for
the remainder of the semester. Working individually, in pairs, and/or teams, each of you
will conduct several field-based projects in the community context.
COURSE GOALS
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develop competence in the range of methods used to collect data useful for studying
language in social context
develop skills in observing, recording, transcribing, coding and analyzing language
become familiar with different ways of analyzing language in social context
learn to use quantitative and qualitative methods of analysis
evaluate appropriateness (and interdependence) of quantitative and qualitative
methods
review some major sociolinguistic field projects and replicate small segments
design and conduct a small scale community-based project in the local DC area that
will feed into a larger long term study on language and the city
gain the ability to evaluate others’ research from a methodological standpoint
understand the interdependence between theory and method
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examine the relationship between researchers and those who provide data
gain confidence in designing, conducting and evaluating research projects
PREREQUISITES
working knowledge and ability in linguistics
familiarity with some areas of sociolinguistics
use of a portable tape recorder throughout the semester
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
Although reading is part of this course, the main focus is “hands-on” experience with
collecting, interpreting and analyzing data. You will be involved in the following:
Six mini-field projects (some individual, some collective); 5- 15 points each for a total
of 75 points. Each project will illustrate a methodology. Use of the data will be based on
(a) development of topics suitable for examination through the data and (b) identification
of short problems suitable for preliminary analysis. Each project requires these tasks:
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design and conduct the project
write about each project (3-4 pages): what you did, why and how; what you learned
about the method; your evaluation of strengths, weaknesses; personal comfort level;
what you would do next time. When data analysis is included, also include the
purpose of analysis, its preliminary results, assessment of the suitability of the data,
and adequacy of methods and data for the research problem/analysis.
post your written version of the project on Blackboard.
present mini-field projects (informally) to class for discussion; respond to, and
discuss, others’ presentations of projects. Like the written projects, presentations will
focus on fieldwork, the process of data collection and tentative findings of analyses;
assessment of strengths, weaknesses, and personal comfort. Discussion will also
include brainstorming on how to use data for analysis of other research questions.
A journal with project write-ups (after returned with my comments); optional revisions
of your assignments in response to my comments; comparison among the projects and
summary (on specific topics to be provided). Due end of semester (15 points).
Class participation (10 points)
GENERAL SCHEDULE (to be refined and updated)
January to late February: decide on neighborhoods; participant observation in
‘ordinary setting;’ work with existing video data; DCT or SR interview and
sociolinguistic interview and/or begin neighborhood/community work
Late February to May: more intense neighborhood/community work to include
structured observations, RAS; 2 interview(s); possible SR test within interview(s),
analysis of phonological variable and one narrative from interview(s).
LINGUISTICS 571
METHODS
Spring 2006
SOCIOLINGUISTIC FIELD
Schiffrin
LIST OF PROJECTS AND APPROXIMATE DATES
RELEVANT READINGS
Project 1 (7.5 points) Jan 18- Jan 30
Participant/observation of everyday situations
Basso, Goffman, Johnstone
Merritt, Hymes
Project 2 (5 points) Jan 30- Feb 6
Multi-modal data analysis of workplace interactions Schiffrin, Fabian
Project 3 (7.5 points) Feb 8- Feb 22
Structured observation, questionnaire on speech acts Searle
Visit your possible neighborhoods
Duncan, Reiss, Ross
Project 4 (15 points) Feb 27- March 13
Participant/observation and rapid anonymous
surveys in neighborhoods
Project 5 (20 points) 3/20- 4/5
Sociolinguistic interview with friend-of-friend;
Slx interviews with two different people in the
neighborhoods, including subjective reaction test
Project 6 (20 points) 4/5- 4/26
Phonological variation and narrative analysis
from neighborhood data
Eckert, Labov 1972, Labov 1986
Briggs, Mishler, Wolfson
Halliday, Schilling-Estes (both),
Wolfram (all)