Sociolinguistics Terms: Understanding Language Through Society
Where Language Meets Society:
Sociolinguistics: Key Terms, Concepts, and Examples
1. Sociolinguistics
The study of how language varies and functions in different social contexts.
Explores identity, power, class, gender, ethnicity, and community through language.
2. Speech Community
A group of people who share norms and expectations regarding language use.
E.g., African American Vernacular English (AAVE) speakers form a distinct speech community.
3. Dialect
A regional or social variety of a language with distinctive phonology, grammar, or vocabulary.
E.g., British English vs. American English
4. Register
A variety of language used in a particular setting or for a specific purpose.
E.g., academic, casual, legal, religious registers
5. Code-Switching
Shifting between two or more languages or dialects in a single conversation.
E.g., “Main kal jaungi, ok?” (Hindi-English mix)
6. Diglossia
A situation where two language varieties exist in a society, one high (formal) and one low (informal).
E.g., Classical Arabic vs. Colloquial Arabic
7. Sociolect
A dialect associated with a particular social class or group.
E.g., working-class speech vs. upper-class accent
8. Idiolect
The unique language use of an individual speaker.
No two people have exactly the same idiolect.
9. Language Prestige
The degree of social status associated with a language or dialect.
E.g., Received Pronunciation is often considered prestigious in the UK.
10. Language Attitudes
Beliefs or feelings about languages or dialects, often influencing language policy or discrimination.
E.g., "British English is better than Indian English" – a biased attitude.
11. Language Shift
When a community gradually abandons its native language in favor of another.
Often due to political, economic, or educational pressure.
12. Language Death
The complete loss of a language when its last native speaker dies.
E.g., Manx (revived), Eyak (extinct)
13. Ethnolinguistic Vitality
The strength of a language in terms of demographic, institutional, and cultural support.
High vitality = more chances of survival.
14. Language Maintenance
Efforts to preserve and promote a minority or endangered language.
Often involves education, media, and community initiatives.
15. Linguistic Repertoire
The total set of language varieties available to a speaker.
May include dialects, registers, and foreign languages.
16. Style-Shifting
Changing linguistic style depending on context, audience, or topic.
E.g., a teacher speaking differently in class vs. at home
17. Labov’s Sociolinguistic Studies
Groundbreaking work on language variation and change in real communities.
E.g., NYC department store study on post-vocalic /r/
18. Language and Identity
Language reflects and shapes individual and group identities.
Language choice can express ethnicity, gender, age, and more.
19. Genderlect
Language differences influenced by gender norms.
E.g., research suggests women may use more politeness strategies.
20. Accent vs. Dialect
Accent = pronunciation only
Dialect = pronunciation + vocabulary + grammar
All dialects include an accent, but not all accents are dialects.
