Chapter 8 Sociolinguistics.ppt

Chapter 8 Sociolinguistics Teaching Content8.1 Introduction8.2 Language Variety  Key points The definition of sociolinguistics Register Dialects Pidgins and creoles Difficult points Register Creole 8.1 Introduction Definition: Sociolinguistics is the study of language in relation to society. It studies how social factors influence the structure and use of language. 8.2 Language Varieties Language variety refers to the various forms of language triggered by social factors. Language may changes from region to region, from one social class to another, from individual to individual, and from situation to situation. This actual changes result in the varieties of language. Thus, language varieties cover: Standard language Dialects Registers Pidgins creoles 8.2.1 Standard language For social political reasons, a variety of language may be officially elevated as the national language, such a language variety is called standard language. In China, putonghua is respected as the standard language; in Britain, the Received Pronunciation RP the SL, and in USA, Standard American English SAE the SL. Nature of SL It is so called standard literally, but just as what the definition suggests, it is a variety of language, so it is also termed as standard variety /dialect. Linguistically, SL has no prestigious or dominant status; nothing special with it. When socially interfered, a variety of lge has the luck to rise to be SL. 8.2.2 Dialects A variety of a language used recognizably in a specific region or by a specific social class is called a dialect. The study of dialect is called dialectology. Dialect and accent: language and pronunciation and vocabulary. Dialects are categorized into 4 types Regional / geographical dialects: varieties of a language spoken in a geographical area. Temporal dialects: varieties of a language used at particular stages in its historical development. Social dialects/sociolects: varieties of a language used by people belonging to particular so