Diversity Glossary

Question 1

Density

Answer 1

In studies of social networks, density refers to the number of connections that people have.

Question 2

Multiplexity

Answer 2

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.

Question 3

Social networks

Answer 3

A network of relations between people in their membership of different groups.

Question 4

Sociolinguistics

Answer 4

The study of the relationship between language and social factors.

Question 5

Sociolect

Answer 5

Variation in language use associated with an individual’s particular social group.

Question 6

Convergence (CAT)

Answer 6

Changing one’s language in order to move towards that of another individual.

Question 7

Divergence (CAT)

Answer 7

Changing one’s language in order to move away from that of another individual.

Question 8

Case study

Answer 8

An in-depth study, changing one’s language in order to move towards that of another individual.

Question 9

Informant

Answer 9

Someone who offers information to a researcher

Question 10

Macro-level

Answer 10

Operating on a large scale (social class, age, gender)

Question 11

Micro-level

Answer 11

Operating on a small scale (individual and small scale interactions)

Question 12

Dialect

Answer 12

A style of language used within a particular geographical region.

Question 13

Ethnolect

Answer 13

A style of language thought to be characteristic of a particular ethnic group.

Question 14

Familect

Answer 14

A style of language used within a family.

Question 15

Genderlect

Answer 15

A style of language thought to be distinctive of either men or women

Question 16

Idiolect

Answer 16

Variation in language use associated with an individual’s personalised speech style.

Question 17

Situational characteristics

Answer 17

Describes the context in which communication has taken place.

Question 18

Closed network

Answer 18

A person whose personal contacts all know each other has a closed network. Closed networks have high density.

Question 19

Open network

Answer 19

An individual whose contacts tend to not know each other have an open network. Open networks have a low density.

Question 20

Deficit model

Answer 20

An assumption that something is lacking or deficient

Question 21

Elaborated code

Answer 21

An idea advanced by Basil Bernstein (and much disputed) that middle-class speakers use context-free, complex forms of language.

Question 22

Restricted code

Answer 22

An idea advanced by Bernstein (and much disputed) that working-class speakers use context-based limited forms of language.

Question 23

Pragmatic rules

Answer 23

The unspoken rules that operate in interaction between people who share a common understanding.

Question 24

Formal register

Answer 24

More appropriate for professional writing and letters to a boss or a stranger.

Question 25

Informal register (casual or intimate)

Answer 25

Conversational and appropriate when writing to friends and people you know very well.