Week 1 - Keywords and concepts

Question 1

Define quantitative variationist sociolinguistics

Answer 1

The study of sociolinguistic patterns, such as variable features and social factors

Question 2

Define accent

Answer 2

A manner of pronunciation

Question 3

Define dialect

Answer 3

A variety of a language that is a characteristic of a particular group of people

Question 4

Define dialectology

Answer 4

The study of dialect

Question 5

Define Abstand languages

Answer 5

A variety that is seen as a language in its own right as it is characteristically different (Basque)

Question 6

Define Ausbau languages

Answer 6

A variety that is seen as a language rather than dialect due to socio-cultural or political characteristics (Swedish)

Question 7

Define mutual intelligibility

Answer 7

Where speakers of different but related varieties or languages can understand each other

Question 8

Define variable

Answer 8

Any linguistic unit that can vary

Question 9

Define variants

Answer 9

The alternative forms of variables eg. Rhotic r is a variant of the R variable

Question 10

Define NORMS

Answer 10

Non-mobile older rural males