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Sociolinguistics is the study of how language is used, as well as shaped, by different social factors. As language users, people do not only learn the structure and the rules of a given language but also the social and cultural norms and expectations regarding language use, including what and how to communicate within their social groups, and what is considered appropriate language use. As we well know, this can differ in various social circles. In this course, we will start by looking into the impact of different social and geographical variables, such as age, gender, nationality and ethnicity, religion, status, level of education etc., on the use of language. We will also introduce notions of style and register, and discuss how speakers adjust language for different audiences and topics, leading us to the construction of identity in language, as well as to multilingualism. Sociolinguistics is closely related and deeply rooted in other social and linguistics disciplines. Since language is central to all dimensions of human interaction and social organization, theories from anthropology, sociology, psychology, cultural studies, as well as pragmatics, are important for analyzing the complexities of language used in society. Therefore, this course will also rely on many pragmatic principles important in interaction, such as politeness and turn-taking, but we will also tackle language attitudes, language politics and cultural differences. |
