Transcript Topic 1: Language and Social Groups

Topic 1: Language and Social Groups
What is Sociolinguistics?
• It explores the relationship between the SOCIAL GROUP that
people belong to, and their language use.
• For example, you might include yourself within an age group,
or a student group. Within this group, as part of our social
group identity, you use language in a particular way.
• Language helps shape social attitudes and behaviour. For
example, with reference to language and gender, messages
are relayed to us every day about how men and women are
‘supposed’ to be.’
What is a social group?
• You must remember that any society is not
merely a collection of isolated individuals;
we belong to SOCIAL GROUPS.
• Often, we tend to be unaware of the extent
of our social connections until we are made
to think about them. We then realise that
our social networks are part of a complex
structure.
“My language changes depending on who I’m with; even the
topics differ! When I'm with my friends, my language is more
colloquial and relaxed – this is primarily because of how close
we are. When I’m at work, teaching, my accent has been
known to change; I tend to over-pronounce words so that I’m
better understood. My language becomes more formal and I
avoid the use of any colloquialisms.”
Task:
Make a list of all the
different groups you
belong to. They could
be based around
family, work,
friendship, study,
sports or interest
related groups.
Now think about the
language you use in
these groups. Does it
vary?
Write a brief account
of the variations.
Howard Giles – Communication Accommodation Theory
• Social psychologist, Howard Giles developed Communication
Accommodation Theory in 1973 (CAT), which showed how
individuals adapt aspects of their own language to signal
feelings about the person that they are conversing with.
• The benefits of adapting our communication to accommodate
others: increases communication efficiency; accommodates the
difference in language ability, culture etc., helps to gain social
approval or desired level of social distance.
The theory takes note of two communication tendencies
(these can be conscious or subconscious choices):
Convergence
In language study, changing ones language in order to
move TOWARDS that of another individual.
Divergence
In language study, changing ones language in order to
move AWAY that of another individual.
Task:
Watch this interview with Howard Giles and make detailed notes about CAT.
You should also note any unfamiliar linguistic terminology and research this
further.
 Go to the English Language Website and click on the RESOURCES page. Follow the
link for CAT. Here, you can see an overview of the theory, videos, links to further
resources and self-help tests.
Choose one question and write a 1500 word essay:
1) Giles sees CAT as a theory about group identity. Identify
three groups to which you belong. How does your
membership in these groups influence your
communication behavior? When you encounter them,
what outside groups are especially likely to encourage
you to communicate in ways that support your group
identity?
1) There are claims that, as a general rule, people respond
positively to convergence and negatively to divergence.
Can you think of exceptions to this general rule? When
might convergence produce negative outcomes? When
might divergence produce positive outcomes?