Sociolinguistics: Introduction

Academic fields:
1. Biology: Scientific study of living organisms
2. Linguistics: Scientific study of language
3. Sociology: Scientific study of society and people
4. Sociolinguistics: Sociology + Linguistics

Scientists (people)
1. Biologist
2. Linguist
3. Sociologist
4. Sociolinguist

The importance of Sociolinguistics:

1. Language and social identity and prestige

2. Language and media (news/movies/documentaries/ comedies)
3. Language and politics (e.g., presidential elections)
4. Language and education (important words and concepts to be included in
textbooks or used by teachers)
5. Language and business
6. Language and advertising
7. Language and religion
8. Language and social power
9. Language and gender
10.Language and social groups
1.1. Definition

 Sociolinguistics is a branch of both linguistics and sociology.

 Sociolinguistics is the study of the relations between language and society.
 The field of sociolinguistics studies language in its social context (setting).

1.2. Sociolinguistics and Sociology of language

There is a distinction (a difference) between Sociolinguistics and Sociology of

language.

Two concepts (ideas) of Sociolinguistics and Sociology of language are different

from each other.

 In sociolinguistics. the focus is placed on (is put on) language and its role
in communication and speaking and social interactions.
 Sociology of language, however, the focus is placed on (is put on) the study
of society and how we can understand society through the study of language.

1.3. Functions (roles) of Sociolinguistics

A) Sociolinguistics analyzes (examines/studies) the actual language use (the

real-life language practice) by different speakers in order to explain
(describe) language variation (language change).

B) Sociolinguistics investigates (examines/studies) language attitudes

(language views/ideas) on different levels:

 Levels of interpersonal communication (communication among people):

local level and global level.

a. At local level, language helps people to satisfy (fulfill/meet/fit) their

communicative needs and personal needs. Language use influence
people’s personal speaking needs and preferences.

b. At global level, people themselves shape (create/make) and influence

the language they use in everyday communication and speaking. They
have power over language use.
C) The study of sociolinguistics can help people to learn more about
a) language variation (language change among different groups of
people in different settings and places)

b) language policy (language rules and plans and guidelines dictated by

the government and school managers)
c) language and education (the role of language in education and
teaching)
D) The study of sociolinguistics can be a powerful tool (device/instrument) in
solving problems: social, educational and political problems of our society.

E) The knowledge of sociolinguistics can be applied (can be used) in a broad

range of areas: (in a wide range of topics/fields)

a) In personal relationships
For example:

1. language and gender

2. language and age

b) In the global community:

For example:

1. language policy

2. linguistic diversity (language variety)

1.4. Sociology of Language

Definition:

 Sociology of language deals with the study of the relations

between language and society.
 Sociology of language deals with the effect of society on language.
 Sociology of language studies society in relation to language whereas
Sociolinguistics studies language in relation to society.
 For sociology of language, society is the focus of study, whereas, for
sociolinguistics, language is the focus of study.
 In sociology of language language reflects (shows) attitudes and views that
speakers want to share with each other.
 Sociology of language deals with who is ‘allowed’ to use what language,
with whom and under what conditions.
 Sociology of language deals with how an individual or group identity is
built (is formed/ is created) by the language that they use.