Diversity Glossary Flashcards
Density
In studies of social networks, density refers to the number of connections that people have.
Multiplexity
In studies of social networks, multiplexity refers to the number of ways in which two individuals might relate to each other, for example, as friends, workmates and family members.
Social networks
A network of relations between people in their membership of different groups.
Sociolinguistics
The study of the relationship between language and social factors.
Sociolect
Variation in language use associated with an individual’s particular social group.
Convergence (CAT)
Changing one’s language in order to move towards that of another individual.
Divergence (CAT)
Changing one’s language in order to move away from that of another individual.
Case study
An in-depth study, changing one’s language in order to move towards that of another individual.
Informant
Someone who offers information to a researcher
Macro-level
Operating on a large scale (social class, age, gender)
Micro-level
Operating on a small scale (individual and small scale interactions)
Dialect
A style of language used within a particular geographical region.
Ethnolect
A style of language thought to be characteristic of a particular ethnic group.
Familect
A style of language used within a family.
Genderlect
A style of language thought to be distinctive of either men or women
Idiolect
Variation in language use associated with an individual’s personalised speech style.
Situational characteristics
Describes the context in which communication has taken place.
Closed network
A person whose personal contacts all know each other has a closed network. Closed networks have high density.
Open network
An individual whose contacts tend to not know each other have an open network. Open networks have a low density.
Deficit model
An assumption that something is lacking or deficient
Elaborated code
An idea advanced by Basil Bernstein (and much disputed) that middle-class speakers use context-free, complex forms of language.
Restricted code
An idea advanced by Bernstein (and much disputed) that working-class speakers use context-based limited forms of language.
Pragmatic rules
The unspoken rules that operate in interaction between people who share a common understanding.
Formal register
More appropriate for professional writing and letters to a boss or a stranger.
Informal register (casual or intimate)
Conversational and appropriate when writing to friends and people you know very well.
