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L23B: Sociolinguistics 2005-2006

This session explores the theories and tools developed to explain language variation and change, including social networks, accommodation theory, acts of identity, and language ideology. Learn about the impact of social networks on language use and how ideology shapes perceptions of language variants. Discover how speakers accommodate their speech to match the person they are talking to. Code-mixing and code-switching are also examined in relation to identity projection.

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L23B: Sociolinguistics 2005-2006

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  1. L23B: Sociolinguistics 2005-2006 Please Turn off all cellular phones & pagers L23B Website: www.mona.uwi.edu/dllp/courses/l23b

  2. Topics for this Session • Theories explaining: • Language Variation • Language Change

  3. THEORIES/TOOLS developed to account for variation & change • Social Networks Accommodation Theory Acts of Identity Ideology & language use

  4. Sources • 1.Social Network Prescribed Text ch. 16, Wardhaugh (pg.127-130, 180-183), Holmes (pg.183-191). • 2.Acts of Identity • LePage (on reserve), Prescribed Text ch. 20. Article in Tutor’s pack • 3.Accommodation Theory • Prescribed Text ch. 18, Holmes (pg. 230-234). • 4. Language and Ideology Prescribed Text ch. 6, Woolard (available at DITTO).

  5. Networks • close knit networks will create value for variety of network • close knit networks will create a counter balance to change • those with loose network ties will be more susceptible to change

  6. Networks cont’d • gender difference – in language production hence difference in networks. • Class differences – in language can be explained through networks

  7. Social Networks • MILROY & MILROY (1992) • Network Strength • “to the extent that ties are strong, linguistic change will be prevented, • … whereas to the extent that they are weak, they will be more open to external influences and so linguistic change will be facilitated”

  8. Social Network – Caribbean Application • Walter F. Edwards. (1984) • Socializing the Continuum- Guyana • in SCL Occasional Papers – 5th conference

  9. Ideology • “the particular system of beliefs and assumptions that underlies every linguistic analysis and every social event”

  10. Ideology • Society’s perception towards variants: • Correct • Prestigious • Stigmatized

  11. Ideology • Ideology - Changes in English centred on: • language purity • elegance of production • Logic • Comparison with other prestigious languages eg. Latin

  12. Ideology – Caribbean • Alison Irvine • in JPCL vol. 19:1 (pp 41-75) • And also: • In English world-wide vol 15:1 (pp.55-78)

  13. Accommodation Theory • Giles was interested in: • “how speakers changed the way they spoke according to the person they were talking to”. • a speaker may converge or diverge along several dimensions.

  14. Accommodation Theory_Schema • Speakers A & B. (prescribed text) • (1)A samples B’s speech and: • i.draw inferences re personality of B. • ii.assumes that B values such characteristics • iii.assumes B will approve of him to the extent that A displays similar characteristics.

  15. Schema cont’d • Speakers A & B. • (2) A chooses from his repertoire, patterns of speech which will project characteristics of which B is assumed to approved.

  16. Accommodation_Jamaica • Done through: • Code-mixing, code-shifting, style-shifting. • These are influenced by: • competence/proficiency • topic selected • participants (converge/diverge)

  17. Code-mixing/switching • Conversation between owner and gardener • Speaker A(owner): good morning, what can I do for you? • Speaker B(gardener): Mmm, a mi bil Maas Roy yaad, an im se yu a luk fi sumadi fi du fi-yu sar. • Speaker A: ohhh! Good. A niid wan gyardner bad bad. Humoch days yu kan gi mi?

  18. Readings • Shields-Brodber (1992) • Hens Can Crow Too in SCL – 9th conference.

  19. Acts of Identity • LePage & Tabouret-Keller (1985), Projection, Focusing, Diffusing • “speakers often consciously rather than unconsciously use language to convey their social identity”

  20. Acts of Identity • Projecting and Focusing • Every speech act is an act of projection. • Each speech act is an announcement.

  21. Acts of Identity_Constraints • 1. the extent to which we are able to identify our model groups • 2. the extent to which we have sufficient access to them and sufficient analytical ability to work out the rules of their behaviour.

  22. Acts of Identity_Constraints • 3. the strength of various (possibly conflicting) motivations towards one or another model. • 4. our ability to modify our behaviour

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