Chapter 5 Flashcards
Diachronic linguistics/ historical linguistics
Study of how languages change over time.
Free variation
Variation in pronunciation which does not change the meaning of a word (random or meaningless variation of no significance such as often and somebody).
Language family
Group of related languages that share linguistic kinship as a result of having developed from a common ancestor.
Family tree account of language change
A conception of language development as
being similar to human genealogy, with a mother language and the languages which
develop from it being considered sisters.
Variationist sociolinguistics
A linguistic approach in which the frequency of linguistic features is correlated with social factors.
Linguistic variable
A linguistic feature which has identifiable variants (e.g. the present continuous tense marker with variants –ing and –in).
Variant
The different realizations of the linguistic variable (e.g. –ing or –in as in running and runnin’).
Indicators
Linguistic features of a particular variety which are not salient to speakers of that language but can be studied through systematic observation.
Markers
Linguistic features that carry social meaning which is apparent to speakers.
Labovian stereotypes
Linguistic features which are consciously and commonly associated with a particular social group; may not actually be part of the ways of speaking of members of that group.
Social class
Hierarchical categories based on social and economic factors.
Sharp stratification
Clear-cut differences between two groups in the use of linguistic features, usually associated with grammatical features
Fine (or gradient) stratification
When the linguistic distinctions between groups is a step-like progression; usually assumed to be typical of phonological variation.
Sampling methods
The process of determining how research participants will be selected.
Sample
Group of research participants for a study.
Random sample
A sample in which everyone in a population has an equal chance of being selected.
Correlational studies
in sociolinguistics
Investigate a relationship between social variables and linguistic variables.
Dependent variable (in sociolinguistics)
A linguistic variable assumed to fluctuate with changes in the social factors being studied.
Independent variable (in sociolinguistics)
Social variables thought to correlate with particular linguistic variables.
Validity
The extent to which the data collected address the research question appropriately.
Reliability
The extent to which the means of assessment of the variables produce stable and consistent results.
Real-time studies
Long-term studies of a community conducted at different times, which can show the progress of language change.
Apparent-time studies
A single study is done and the different responses of various age groups are compared and then conclusions are drawn about language changes.
Informants
Speakers of a language or dialect who provide linguists with data about their variety.
Observer’s paradox
The double-bind that researchers find themselves in when what they are interested in knowing is how people behave when they are not being observed, but the only way to find out how they behave is to observe them.
