Sociolinguistics Essays (Examples)

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While many fields of study seem to only have academic applications, sociolinguistics has many real-world applications.  Sociolinguistics examines how various cultural factors impact the use of language, not only in what languages are spoken by people in various groups, but also how that language is spoken by those people.  The various factors that can influence the language someone speaks or how they speak a language include, but are not limited to: gender, ethnicity, religion, status, level of education, age, and geographical distribution.  The primary languages spoken in Algeria are Algerian Arabic (Darja),....

Lingu francas are languages used b wide groups of people to facilitate communication between cultures that traditionally use separate languages; English is the lingua franca of much of the world, as people from Sweden to China to Egypt learn it to facilitate international communication. Pidgins and creoles are bastardizations of two or more languages from a merging or meeting of cultures.
National and official languages can be established to ease communication within a nation, but they do not always represent the real linguistic situation. Official/national languages require planning for documentation and to ensure that the language will serve the nation's needs. Norway had a difficult time selecting which dialect to make the official language, for example. Linguists play a role in this by helping to track and classify linguistic varietals and determine the effects of official changes.

Regional variation and social variation can both greatly impact linguistic changes due to cultural….

Thus sociolinguistics is far more than an arcane academic field of study; rather, sociolinguistics offers a unique opportunity to make a real difference in society.
Now, for a concrete example that you as students should be able to understand and appreciate. Sociolinguistics has profound implications for teaching and has played a huge role in understanding the poor educational performance of lower-class inner-city children (Labov, 1972). Sociolinguists have found that language is one of the variables that make these children significantly different from the standard culture of the classroom. Sociolinguists believe that the solution is to adapt the school system to the language and learning styles of the majority of students in the inner-city schools.

Of course, teaching is just one area that sociolinguistics touches. For instance, sociolinguists might investigate attitudes towards the proposed English-only Amendment to help policy makers formulate strategies for obtaining support or rejection. or, sociolinguistics might study gender….

Sociolinguistics
Defining Simplicity: Jamaican Patwa

Defining Simplicity: Jamaican Padwa

In sociolinguistics there is often a need to define phases of language development that are neither discrete nor simple. Yet it is also clear that these same terms, the best example being Pidgin and Creole were adopted from popular culture and are therefore loaded to some degree in usage. The degree to which these words are "loaded" depends a great deal on context. Sociolinguistics defines Pidgin as a language of lingua franca, derived from the mixing of two languages by a group of people who have a need to communicate on some level but speak two varied languages. This work will explore the terminology, accepted internal and external definitions of it, including pidgin, creole and linguistic simplicity, looking finally at a modern example of a creole language, Jamaican Patwa in the context of the definition of simplicity.

The development of a pidgin language is….

Cypriot Greek has a particularly distinct character and vocabulary of its own and many modern Greeks perceive Cypriots to be of a different culture than their own (Terkourafi 2007). The proposed experiment examines how even Greek-Americans have internalized stereotypes attached to dialects. Dialect variation is perceived as a cultural and economic marker, not simply one of geography.
Methodology

In this experiment, the speech patterns of different Greeks reading a variety of relatively neutral passages will be recorded. These recordings will then be presented to a cross-section of both native Greeks and to Greek-Americans, and the recordings will be rated upon their perceptions of the speakers. The recorded passages will feature speakers from locations both in the northern and southern mainland, and a variety of Greek islands of various locations. The speakers will be 'rated' based upon their perceived social class, intelligence, positive and negative feelings about the speaker, and levels of….

Sociolinguistics - How gender influences the way people speak?
Definition of keywords

Sociolinguistics: This is a study of language in respect of social, class, regional, gender and occupational factors.

Gender: It is the condition of being a female or a male and is mostly used in relation to cultural and social differences.

Gender Equality: A condition in which the opportunities and rights are not affected by the change of gender.

Speak: To say in order to express or convey feelings or conversation (oxforddictionaries.com)

Within the study of discourse, comparative analysis of the way women and men use language has been a topic of interest for quite some time. However, to date no coherent framework for gender differences in language and its use has been established empirically, despite relatively extensive theorizing. One reason for this lack of framework lies in the absence of a consensus in how language, whether written or spoken, can best be analyzed.

Research into….

Also, student's vocabulary and formality of speech can and will differ in different social contexts, from school to home to the playground, as indeed does all human speech, as even teachers adopt a greater degree of formality speaking to the principal, to students, and also in their own homes.
hy teach standard speech at all? hat to do when certain patterns of speech, such as Black English, have different grammatical variations than standard written English? One approach is to stress contextual aspects of speech in education. (Chaika, 1994, p.299) It cannot be denied that job applicants and people are validated and valued differently, depending on how their speech coheres to Standard ritten English. Even dialect speakers are evaluated on a valuation gradient, as speakers with certain desirable accents, like a British accent for example, might be esteemed more than speakers with a traditionally Black or Spanish accent, unfairly. (Chaika, 1994,….

appended meaning according to the outledge Dictionary of Language and Linguistics.
Sociolinguistics

Scientific discipline developed from the cooperation of linguistics and sociology that investigates the social meaning of the language system and of language use, and the common set of conditions of linguistic and social structure. Several areas of sociolinguistic investigation are differentiated.

(a) A primarily sociologically oriented approach concerned predominantly with the norms of language use. (When and for what purpose does somebody speak what kind of language or what variety with whom?) Here language use and language attitudes as well as larger and smaller social networks are in the foreground. These facets are studied mainly by using quantitative methods; connections between socioeconomics, history, culture, ethnic differentiation, social class structure, and language varieties are included in the investigation (diglossia, code theory).

(b) A primarily linguistically oriented approach that presumes linguistic systems to be in principle heterogeneous, though structured, when viewed within sociological….

Interviews can certainly be shaped by culture-specific nuances, but, at the same time misunderstandings may accrue due to other factors in other words, cultural differences may not be the only or accurate attribution to communicative difficulties in interview situations. There are too many other complexities that may be responsible for initiating miscommunication. Gomperz and Cook-Gomperz (2008) distinguish between socio-linguistics and linguistic anthropology but arangi concludes that: "A selective characterization of a communicative situation on the basis of different cultural attributes of the-participants can only serve to reify cultural differences in an essentialist way." (424). Rather what is needed is the application of discourse analysis to speech since discourse analysis functions as a two-pronged approach: on the one hand it traces individual communication to cultural background, and, on the other hand, it sources that same communication to societal and institutional role-relationships. 'Culture' may be a concept that has become exaggerated….

e. cursing, swearing) and not using discriminatory language or language that is "racist, sexist, ageist" (Caldwell, 2004) or so forth. The concept of 'communicative competence" (Caldwell, 2004) is described as grammar that "relates to the nature of language teaching" in an approach." (Caldwell, 2004) that is fairly universally advocated in L2 teaching." (Caldwell, 2004) the mistakes that are made may either be in "form" due to lack of knowledge or through use of irregular past tense forms implying that grammar should be descriptive or mistakes in 'use" or knowing when the present perfect or the simple past tense should be used implying that grammar should be descriptive.
It is suggested by Tomlin (1994, pp. 141-42) that teaching communicative language in inclusive of (1) systematic attention to functional and structural aspects; (2) Situational and contextualized use of language in class; (3) Teaching and Learning being made transparent through representational support; (4) Focus….

Language and Sexuality
PAGES 4 WORDS 991

Language and Sexuality from a Desire-Based Perspective
Anthropology -- Language & Sexuality

The broader theoretical treatment of the study of sexuality has long been recognized in the fields of linguistic anthropology and sociolinguistics. Historically, sexuality has been discussed in sociocultural studies of language over the long-term. In fact, this work and the research it generated make up the emergent history and the scope of research on language and sexuality. This analytical discourse on the topic of sexuality and language is socially oriented, to be certain, but the it has followed a path of convenience, resulting in piecemeal treatment and an underlying fragmentation of the body of work.

Discussion of the desire-oriented approach to sexuality and language, theorizing the motivation and development of the approach from a poststructuralist position.

Outline

Sexist language

Women and men's talk: single/mixed sex; private/public

Gender and politeness

Peer and classroom talk

5. Public and workplace talk

6. Gender and the media -- magazines, newspapers, ads.

7. Language,….

Yiddish as a first language in Ultra-Orthodox Jewish communities, compared to the use of local vernacular (for example, Hebrew in Israeli-ased Jews, or English in London and New York-ased Jews): in Hasidic Jews, the use of Yiddish is widespread, whereas in other Jewish groups, the local vernacular is more common.
This paper discusses the reasons behind these differences, and looks at the functions that Yiddish serves in these Hasidic Jew communities. The paper also looks at the effects of outside pressures has on the use of Yiddish, and on issues of identity in general.

The paper also looks at the religious issues related to the use of Yiddish, and at heritage issues in general. The paper also looks in detail at the use of Yiddish as a cultural isolating mechanism, as a way to create barriers between Hasidic Jews and non-Hasidic Jews, and also Hasidic Jews and non-Jews (gentiles).

The paper also….


All of the chapters in the book relate to various events in Levi's life, as well as to his passion for chemistry. Surprisingly (when considering the suffering he went through in Auschwitz) Levi only associates a small chapter in the book with his experiences in the death camp. The story is nonetheless sad, and can be regarded as being the most impressive account in the book. All in all, "The Periodic Table" is more of an autobiography than a nonfiction account involving the Holocaust.

In "Vanadium," Levi shortly depicts a series of occurrences speaking about Auschwitz. The author apparently wants to go over the topic as fast as possible, only to return to the beautiful world of chemistry. He does not succeed in doing that however, since the subject slowly but surely grabs hold of him and forces him to go deeper and depict one of the most influential chapters in….

It outlines those programs and benefits to be offered on campuses to help service international students more effectively. Japanese students are here identified. Since they speak English as second language, they have more stress, requiring more time to read their textbooks, receiving the abuse from students that are enrolled with them in classes or who are being taught by them when they serve as graduate assistants. This causes miscommunication and a loss of learning comprehension. The fact is that the native born student may feel resentment about being passed over for assignment to the teaching assistantship when it is given to the foreign born student. A series of programs is suggested to provide cultural sensitivity for the foreign student and then a staged program series to help the foreign student adapt (Lin, & Yi, 1997, 473-80).
Finally, the needs of students with special needs can not be ignored. Unfortunately, many….

The cultural values can be handled through the implementation of the of new methodologies for the execution of the task, the values as per the company's approval should be reinforced, no single action is expected to deliver necessary reforms to modify aspects and considerations that are highly ingrained and extremely valued, therefore it is important that the company adopt comprehensive and coordinated methodologies, for the management of the cultural changes. The multinational companies should understand that the quality of the product, and its services contributes significantly towards the success of the organization, and this has to be achieved only if the quality of the product does not only comply by the international standards, but should fulfill the aspirations of the local population, whereas the aspirations of the local population is based on cultural hegemony, therefore the cultural values should be respected during the entire course. Such organizations should introduce….

Language defines identity, and creates boundaries between self and other. In Borderlands: The New Mestiza, Gloria Anzaldua refers to the "broken" and "forked" tongues that represented the boundaries and intersections of social, cultural, racial, ethnic, and gender identities. The roots of sociolinguistic hypotheses of language suggest that at the very least, language impacts the social construction of reality, as well as psychic self-perception. According to Noam Chomsky, language use is a type of "organized behavior" that is both a cause and effect of reality (2). The study of language structure and function "can contribute to an understanding of human intelligence," (Chomsky xiv). Chomsky goes so far as to suggest that language precedes cognition in some cases, by stating that, "the study of language structure reveals properties of mind that underlie the exercise of human mental capacities in normal activities," including the use of language as a creative mechanism, form, and….

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2 Pages
Essay

Communication - Language

Sociolinguistics Sociolinguists Study the Cultural

Words: 594
Length: 2 Pages
Type: Essay

Lingu francas are languages used b wide groups of people to facilitate communication between cultures that traditionally use separate languages; English is the lingua franca of much of…

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2 Pages
Term Paper

Communication - Language

Sociolinguistics Few Students Even Know

Words: 613
Length: 2 Pages
Type: Term Paper

Thus sociolinguistics is far more than an arcane academic field of study; rather, sociolinguistics offers a unique opportunity to make a real difference in society. Now, for a concrete…

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8 Pages
Term Paper

Communication - Language

Sociolinguistics Defining Simplicity Jamaican Patwa Defining Simplicity

Words: 2621
Length: 8 Pages
Type: Term Paper

Sociolinguistics Defining Simplicity: Jamaican Patwa Defining Simplicity: Jamaican Padwa In sociolinguistics there is often a need to define phases of language development that are neither discrete nor simple. Yet it is…

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3 Pages
Essay

Communication - Language

Greek Sociolinguistics Socilinguistic Aspect of

Words: 892
Length: 3 Pages
Type: Essay

Cypriot Greek has a particularly distinct character and vocabulary of its own and many modern Greeks perceive Cypriots to be of a different culture than their own (Terkourafi…

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7 Pages

Communication - Language

Communication Style and Gender

Words: 2438
Length: 7 Pages
Type:

Sociolinguistics - How gender influences the way people speak? Definition of keywords Sociolinguistics: This is a study of language in respect of social, class, regional, gender and occupational factors. Gender: It is…

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3 Pages
Term Paper

Communication - Language

Dialects Language -- the Social

Words: 1074
Length: 3 Pages
Type: Term Paper

Also, student's vocabulary and formality of speech can and will differ in different social contexts, from school to home to the playground, as indeed does all human speech,…

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3 Pages
Essay

Communication - Language

Appended Meaning According to the Routledge Dictionary

Words: 1080
Length: 3 Pages
Type: Essay

appended meaning according to the outledge Dictionary of Language and Linguistics. Sociolinguistics Scientific discipline developed from the cooperation of linguistics and sociology that investigates the social meaning of the language…

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6 Pages
Essay

Communication - Language

Contextual Cues in Conversation Gumperz

Words: 1756
Length: 6 Pages
Type: Essay

Interviews can certainly be shaped by culture-specific nuances, but, at the same time misunderstandings may accrue due to other factors in other words, cultural differences may not be…

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13 Pages
Term Paper

Communication - Language

Pedagogic Grammar Written and Spoken

Words: 3597
Length: 13 Pages
Type: Term Paper

e. cursing, swearing) and not using discriminatory language or language that is "racist, sexist, ageist" (Caldwell, 2004) or so forth. The concept of 'communicative competence" (Caldwell, 2004) is described…

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4 Pages
Research Paper

Communication - Language

Language and Sexuality

Words: 991
Length: 4 Pages
Type: Research Paper

Language and Sexuality from a Desire-Based Perspective Anthropology -- Language & Sexuality The broader theoretical treatment of the study of sexuality has long been recognized in the fields of linguistic anthropology…

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15 Pages
Term Paper

Mythology - Religion

Yiddish as a First Language in Ultra-Orthodox

Words: 3999
Length: 15 Pages
Type: Term Paper

Yiddish as a first language in Ultra-Orthodox Jewish communities, compared to the use of local vernacular (for example, Hebrew in Israeli-ased Jews, or English in London and New…

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7 Pages
Essay

Chemistry

Underground Directed by Emir Kusturica

Words: 2241
Length: 7 Pages
Type: Essay

All of the chapters in the book relate to various events in Levi's life, as well as to his passion for chemistry. Surprisingly (when considering the suffering he went…

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7 Pages
Essay

Communication - Language

Worldviews Their Development and How

Words: 2116
Length: 7 Pages
Type: Essay

It outlines those programs and benefits to be offered on campuses to help service international students more effectively. Japanese students are here identified. Since they speak English as…

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7 Pages
Term Paper

Business - Management

Toyota Case Insight the Leadership

Words: 1915
Length: 7 Pages
Type: Term Paper

The cultural values can be handled through the implementation of the of new methodologies for the execution of the task, the values as per the company's approval should…

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3 Pages
Creative Writing

Communication - Language

To What Extent Language Is a Representation of the World

Words: 942
Length: 3 Pages
Type: Creative Writing

Language defines identity, and creates boundaries between self and other. In Borderlands: The New Mestiza, Gloria Anzaldua refers to the "broken" and "forked" tongues that represented the boundaries and…

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