The Sociolinguistic Variable

Off

“It begins with the simple act of noticing a variation – that there are two alternative ways of saying the same thing” [1]

Labov’s quote here is pretty self-explanatory of what sociolinguistic variation is: it is simply different words, sounds and language people use to explain the same thing.socio2

These variants (different ways/ ‘realisations’ of saying the same thing) can
be lexical (words) or phonetic (sounds of the letters in the word).

What sociolinguistics are interested in is seeing which variants are used, and deemed more appropriate for use, in certain social contexts.


Which of the following would you say to your TEACHER?

Good morning, sir

Hi 

Sup


Which of the following would you say to your MUM?

Hiya

Hey

Oi


Which of the following would you say to your FRIEND?

Y'alright

Hey brah

Good day


Which of the following would you say to A STRANGER?

Hi there

Yo

Hello


More information on interesting research within Sociolinguistics


References

[1] Labov, W., (2008). Quantitative Reasoning in Linguistics. Available from: <http://www.ling.upenn.edu/~wlabov/Papers?QRL.pdf> [Accessed 08.05.2012]


Picture Credits

Road Traffic Sign: ©John247 | Stock Free Images & Dreamstime Stock Photos

A global reputation

Sheffield is a research university with a global reputation for excellence. We're a member of the Russell Group: one of the 24 leading UK universities for research and teaching.