The document introduces sociolinguistics, a branch of linguistics that studies language use in social contexts and how it varies across different social groups, including factors like ethnicity and social status. It explains concepts such as standard and non-standard languages, dialects, accents, jargon, and slang, highlighting how they reflect social identity and cultural significance. Additionally, it discusses the influences on language variation, including age, educational level, and regional differences.

1. INTRODUCTION TO
APPLIED LINGUISTICS
Video Lesson 2
SOCIOLINGUISTICS
Language Variations
Mgs. Nina Nesterenko

2. Branch of Linguistics which deals with the study of
language use in society and in sociocultural
context. In addition, it is the study of the linguistic
indicators of culture and power (Schmitt, 2011).
studies Sociolinguistics:
language explains WHY
variations studies languages change
( dialects, language
accents, change
It describes language varieties between different
ethnic, religious, status , and gender groups; and explains
how educational level, age etc., may influence the
language differences, and categorizes individuals in
social or socioeconomic classes .

3. SOCIOLINGUISTICS is the study of how
language and social factors are related
Variety of a language is “a set of linguistic
items with similar distribution” (Hudson,
1980, p. 24)

4. LANGUAGE VARIATIONS:
Standard language refers to mode of
usage of most educated speakers of a
language and established as the
prestigious form of that language.
This term is also used for that variety
of a language which is considered to
be the norm.

5. Non Standard Language
• The term nonstandard was originally used by linguists
to refer to language varieties that had previously been
labeled with terms such as vulgar.
• Non standard English differs from Standard English at
the level of grammar ( it does not follow the grammar
or pronunciation rules of standard language ).

6. Dialect and Accent
Dialect can be defined as STANDARD language, or PRESTIGE
DIALECT used in business, education, and media.
Dialects can be described at different
levels according to variations
• Phonological ( differences in pronunciation , ex: in
Spanish llave ( llave) – llave (shave)
• Morphological (word structure)
• Syntactic ( it can be represented by different word order
in sentences,)
• Semantic (differences in meaning, ex:football – soccer )
• Grammatical ( differences in grammar structures may
depend on social status of speakers, age , gender)

7. Accent It is a pattern or manner of pronunciation
• An accent may identify the locality in which its speakers reside.
(geographical or regional accent)
• It can indicate the socio-economic status of its speakers, their
ethnicity or social class.
• Accent can also allow to determine the speaker’s native
language.
• Accents typically differ in quality of voice, pronunciation of
vowels and consonants, and stress pitch ( ex: intonation in
Spanish and English questions and the speech of people from
Ecuadorian Coast and Sierra regions )

8. DIALECT
ACCENT
It refers to the
It refers to
broader set of
differences in
linguistic
differences pronunciation

9. • Jargon is defined in relationship to a specific
activity, profession, group, or event.
Jargon: the language used by people who work
in a particular area or who have a common
interest.
• "jargon" can be technical language, for instance,
the language used in a given profession (medical
jargon, nautical jargon, etc.)

10. Jargon is used with these purposes
Provide speakers of Provide speakers of a
specialized domains subgroup with a
with clear, well-defined, means of marking in-
unambiguous terms to group membership
refer to their activities and exclude outsiders
REMEMBER : Slang and jargon are not the same.

11. It refers to the use of
informal words and
expressions that are not
considered standard in
the speaker's dialect or
language.
It may refer to things
considered taboo or
euphemisms “( The
substitution of an
inoffensive terms such
as "passed away" for
"died”) .

12. JARGON vs SLANG
refers to the technical a variety of language
vocabulary of a used by a restricted
particular profession part of population,
group, or trade. usually young people,
teenagers, or less
respectable groups
Its vocabulary is not
“unintelligible writing or long-lasting ( not “ in
talk.” fashion “ anymore )
“specific dialects "Slang" usually means
resulting from a mixture rude or very informal
of several languages.” language.

13. Language Variations
To change from one manner of speaking to
another, according to the circumstances, in order
to give an appropriate impression, we adapt our
speech depending on who we are talking to and a
nature of the contact.
Deliberate change from one manner or style of
speaking to another is called CODE SWITCHING
or code choice

14. To be continued!....
Thank you!