Sociolinguistics: Key Concepts and Definitions
Unit 1: Foundations of Sociolinguistics
Analytic Language: Words are one syllable long with no affixes; function is determined by word order. Example: Chinese.
Black English Vernacular: Non-standard English spoken in U.S. Black communities, influenced by Creole languages.
Borrowing: Spread of words or phrases across languages due to contact, dominance, or prestige.
Communicative Competence: Dell Hymes’ concept of appropriate language use in context.
Dialect: Language variation by region, affecting vocabulary, pronunciation, and syntax.
Dialectology: Study of geographical language variations.
Discourse Analysis: Study of language use above the sentence level in social contexts.
Domain: Situational and social factors influencing code choice.
Ethnography of Communication: Study of verbal and non-verbal communication norms.
Informant: Data provider in linguistic research.
Language Attrition: Loss of language due to disuse or dominance by another language.
Macro-sociolinguistics: Large-scale societal language interactions.
Micro-sociolinguistics: Focus on small group or individual interactions.
Native Speaker: Idealized term for someone fluent since childhood.
Observer’s Paradox: An observer’s presence alters natural speech patterns.
Pragmatics: Study of utterances’ context and usage.
(Proto)-Indo-European: Language family classification; English is West Germanic.
Sociolinguistic Interview: Speech sample collection for analysis.
Sociology of Language: Studies interactions between language and society.
Synchronic Variation: Language differences at a specific time.
Synthetic Language: Words with inflections indicating grammar. Example: Latin.
Variety: A specific type of language. Example: Australian English.
Unit 2: Language in Use
Discourse Analysis: Examination of language use beyond sentences.
Ethnography of Speaking: Rules for cross-cultural communication.
Linguistic Competence: Knowledge of language system components.
Pragmatic Competence: Functional use of linguistic resources.
Pragmatics: Study of relationships between utterances and context.
Variety: Variants of a language within or outside standard norms.
Unit 3: Language Contact and Change
Acrolect: The most standard variety in a creole continuum.
Auxiliary Language: Used for specific functions; includes pidgins.
Basilect: The most creole-like variety in a continuum.
English-lexifier Creole: Creole borrowing vocabulary from English.
Language Conflict: Disputes due to language dominance.
Language Election/Selection: Official language choice for practical purposes.
Lexifier: Language providing vocabulary for a pidgin or creole.
Lingua Franca: Common language among diverse native speakers. Example: English.
LWC (Language of Wider Communication): Synonym for lingua franca.
Mesolect: Intermediate variety in a creole continuum.
New Englishes: English variations resulting from colonial spread.
Sabir: Historical lingua franca in the Mediterranean.
Acquisition: Unconscious language learning.
Ascendant Bilingualism: Development of second language skills.
Balanced Bilingual: Equal proficiency in two languages.
Bidialectal: Ability to use two dialects.
Compound Bilingual: Single-meaning system with two language labels.
Consecutive Bilingualism: Second language learned after age three.
Co-ordinate Bilingual: Separate meaning systems for two languages.
Cultural Awareness: Understanding cultural differences to foster sensitivity.
Dormant Bilingual: Previously fluent but inactive language use.
Interference: Negative influence of one language on another.
Minority Language: Languages overshadowed by dominant ones.
Proficiency: Skill level in a language.
Semilinguals: Lacking proficiency in multiple languages.
Simultaneous Bilingualism: Two languages learned from birth.
Sociolinguistic Competence: Social conventions of language use.
Sociolinguistic Relativity: Judging systems relative to one’s own.
Trilingualism: Use of three languages.
Unit 4: Language Policy and Planning
Aboriginal Languages: Pre-colonial Australian languages.
Acculturation: Gradual cultural adaptation through interaction.
African American Vernacular English (AAVE): Non-standard language of the Black community in the U.S.
CLIL (Content and Language Integrated Learning): Teaching content through a second language.
Content-Based ESL: Using curriculum content to teach English.
Corpus Planning: Modifying language characteristics (e.g., grammar, vocabulary).
Endangered Language: At risk of disappearing due to declining speakers.
Family Language Planning: Strategies to maintain a heritage language.
Heritage Language: Language spoken by immigrants in a new country.
Heritage Language Bilingual Education
Hypercorrection: Overuse of desired forms due to linguistic insecurity.
International Schools: Schools emphasizing bilingual or multilingual education.
Language Academy: Institutions safeguarding language standards.
Language Election/Selection: Official language choices for sociopolitical reasons.
Language Revitalization: Efforts to revive declining languages.
Language Attrition: Gradual language loss due to disuse.
Language Conflict: Competition between languages in society.
Language Loss: Total language shift within a community.
Language Policy Division: EU body for language education policies.
Language Spread: Increase in a language’s use.
Longitudinal Study: Extended research on a group over time.
Status Planning
Unit 5: Communication and Interaction
Communicative Competence: Dell Hymes’ term for context-appropriate language use.
Discourse Analysis: Study of language beyond the sentence level.
Discourse Marker: Conversational structure signals.
Ethnography of Communication: Study of non-verbal and verbal norms.
Ethnography of Speaking: Study of cross-cultural language use rules.
Ethnomethodology: Analysis of spoken content and shared knowledge.
Informant: Data provider in linguistic studies.
Interference: Negative language influence.
Lingua Franca: Common language for diverse speakers.
Linguistic Competence: Core language knowledge.
Language Functions: Descriptive, expressive, and social functions.
LWC: Synonym for lingua franca.
Micro-Sociolinguistics: Small-scale language interaction study.
New Englishes: Variants from English’s global spread.
Pragmatic Competence: Contextual language mastery.
Proficiency: Skill in language use.
Sociolinguistic Competence: Sensitivity to social language norms.
Sociolinguistic Relativity: Awareness of cultural and linguistic diversity.
Speech Act: Functional communication unit.
Turn-Taking: Alternating turns in conversation.