Study of Language week 7 Recap and Chapter 19 Social Variation

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Chapter 19

Social Variation

But first...remember, remember!

What term do linguists use for words from different languages that are similar in form and meaning?
Words like: Nacht, nacht, night

What are cognates?

1. Words that have a different form and meaning in multiple languages
2. Words that have a similar form and meaning in multiple different languages
3. Words in different languages that have a different form yet a similar meaning
4. Words in different languages that have a similar form yet a different meaning

What is/are the difference(s) between an accent and a dialect?

Give an example of a lexical difference between AmE and BrE

NORMS have been used in the past to study ___

A large number of isoglosses together would constitute a

1. dialect continuum
2. language
3. dialect boundary
4. twicogloss

Chapter 19

Social Variation

Learning aims:

You should be able to answer the following questions

• Which social classes can we distinguish?
• How is social class reflected in your language?
  
• What are social markers? (examples?)
  
• How can choice of words be an indicator of social class?
  
• Why would people adapt their language?
• How can people try to adapt their language?
• What are some characteristics of an example of a social variety: AAVE

 

There were many social markers in that clip. What is NOT an example of a social marker for lower working class?

1. I ain't bovvered
2. I am 'ungry
3. I am having breakfast
4. I am workin'

Pronouncing the postvocalic /r/ is a social marker for being more upper class in which city?

1. New York
2. Reading

Our ability to modify our speech style toward or away from the perceived style of the person(s) we are talking to, is called speech ...

There's formal and informal speech style and people can shift between the two. Style shifting can be done in two ways; convergence & ________.

When certain individuals change their speech in the direction of a form that is more frequent in the speech of those perceived to have higher social status, we are dealing with ...

1. covert prestige
2. register
3. jargon
4. overt prestige

Follow-up question: what does covert prestige mean?

What type of speech accommodation are we dealing with here?
(to friend) "Yu gotta meet me mate Pete!"
(to teacher) "Can I go to the bathroom, please?"

1. overt prestige
2. register
3. jargon
4. covert prestige

Follow-up question: what would an example of covert prestige look like? 

Drag and drop and think about what these have to do with social variation 

Jargon

Slang

Taboo

Euphemism

African American English is considered a social dialect. It is also known as Black English, Ebonics or AAVE.
The V in AAVE stands for ...

1. African American VERSION OF English
2. African American VERNACULAR English
3. African American VARIATION ON English
4. African American VARIETY English

Follow-up question: what does vernacular mean and why is this applicable to AAVE?

Any non-standard spoken version of a language used by a lower-status group.

Watch about 4 minutes. Many examples of specific lexical and grammatical items. Also use of slang and other social markers.

AAVE = 'sloppy' English?

• AAVE follows clear rules 

• Sounds: Left hand > lef han, Think > tink

• Grammar (often seen as ‘illogical’, ‘sloppy’ or ‘bad’)… He don’t know nothing, you crazy, two guy, my sister work / he don’t care 

Would this be used in AAVE?

Yes

No

I ain't afraid of no ghost!

He be working

Cleo's friend was there too

He skinny, bu' he don't care

He has been playing basketball

Learning aims:

Are you able to answer the following questions?

• Which social classes can we distinguish?
• How is social class reflected in your language?
  
• What are social markers? (examples?)
  
• How can choice of words be an indicator of social class?
  
• Why would people adapt their language?
  
• How can people try to adapt their language?
• What are some characteristics of an example of a social variety: AAVE

 

Final lesson next week

At home: study your two choice chapters.

In class: test yourselves on STULAN course.