100 likes | 510 Views
Dialects and Sociolinguistics. dialect : a subset of language that varies (typically) by region, but also possibly by race or socioeconomic status sociolect : a subset of language defined by a particular social group, e.g. race, gender, sexuality, class, age, occupation accent slang
E N D
dialect: a subset of language that varies (typically) by region, but also possibly by race or socioeconomic status • sociolect: a subset of language defined by a particular social group, e.g. race, gender, sexuality, class, age, occupation • accent • slang • code-switching • overt vs. covert prestige Terms and Definitions
Isogloss: a geographic boundary of a particular phonological, morphological, syntactic, or lexical feature Dialectology
age • race • gender • class (socioeconomic status) • sexuality Sociolinguistic Variables
Gender paradox: Women are more likely to use standard forms than men. But women also tend to use more innovative forms. Women tend to lead linguistic changes. • Ex: runnin’ [n] vs. running [ŋ] • Ex: Northern Cities Shift (p. 359): • bag [beg]; hot [hæt] Gender
Bill Labov’s study of /r/-droppingin NYC • fourth floor • Saks (high-end clientele) • Macy’s (middle class) • S. Klein (lower class) • all salespeople were from lower middle class • linguistic change tends to start in lower middle class and spread outward Class