09 Language Variation Free Online FlashCards

What does sociolinguistics study?

Sociolinguistics studies how linguistic choices relate to social life, including who is speaking, to whom, where, and for what purpose.

Which aspects of language can vary?

Language varies in pronunciation, grammar, vocabulary, and conversational patterns; this variation is systematic, not random noise.

What is a dialect?

A dialect is a rule-governed variety associated with a group of speakers.

How does an accent differ from a dialect?

An accent refers specifically to pronunciation, while a dialect can also differ in grammar, vocabulary, and language use.

What is a standard variety?

A standard variety is one socially recognized dialect; it is not language without a dialect.

What can shape the boundary between a language and a dialect?

The boundary between a language and a dialect may reflect political and historical factors as well as linguistic differences.

What does habitual be express in African American English?

In African American English, habitual be can describe a recurring situation, as in “She be working on Saturdays.”

Do group-level language patterns determine how every individual speaks?

Patterns may correlate with community characteristics, but these are tendencies and do not determine how every individual speaks.

What is style-shifting?

Style-shifting, or register variation, is a speaker’s adjustment of language across situations.

Why might a speaker shift styles?

Speakers may shift styles to suit an audience or task, express a stance, or signal closeness or distance.

How can speech express social affiliation?

Speech can express affiliation with a place, community, or peer group, and speakers may combine features linked to different groups.

Does a speaker’s language reveal a fixed identity?

Language choices do not necessarily reflect a fixed identity; speakers may present different aspects of themselves as audiences and circumstances change.