Summary:

Interactional sociolinguistics is an approach to discourse that focuses on the situated meaning of

language and combines the ideas of anthropologist John Gumperz and sociologist Erving Goffman.
Gumperz contributes a framework for analyzing language use in interpersonal communication, viewing
language as a socially and culturally constructed symbol system that reflects and creates social and
interpersonal meanings. Goffman's work complements this by emphasizing the importance of social
context and situational knowledge in understanding communication.

Proponents:

- John Gumperz: Emphasizes the socially and culturally constructed nature of language, providing
analytical tools for examining language use in interpersonal communication.

- Erving Goffman: Focuses on the social and interpersonal contexts of communication, providing a
sociological framework for understanding the form and meaning of communication.

Tenets:

1. Language as a symbol system: Language reflects both macro-level social meaning and micro-level
interpersonal meanings.

2. Situated knowledge: Social and interpersonal contexts play a crucial role in interpreting meaning.

3. Social interaction: Discourse is seen as a social interaction where the construction and negotiation of
meaning occur through language use.

Strengths:

1. Comprehensive approach: Interactional sociolinguistics combines insights from anthropology and

sociology, providing a holistic understanding of language use in social interactions.

2. Contextual focus: The approach highlights the importance of social and situational factors in shaping
language use and interpretation.

3. Analytical tools: Gumperz's framework offers analytical tools for examining language patterns and
meanings in interpersonal communication.

Weaknesses:

1. Complexity: The approach may require a deep understanding of sociolinguistic theory and methods,
making it challenging for beginners.
2. Lack of focus on individual agency: The emphasis on social context may overlook the role of individual
agency in language use.

3. Limited generalizability: Findings from interactional sociolinguistics may be context-specific and not
easily applicable to other contexts or cultures.

Overall, interactional sociolinguistics provides a valuable framework for understanding how language is
used, interpreted, and shaped within social interactions. It offers insights into the complex interplay
between language, culture, and society. However, it is important to recognize its limitations and consider
the context-specific nature of its findings.